A long vacation to your dream destination would be a wonderful push present. Still, you might think, “Does my baby need a passport?” imagine searching for the best travel packages, shopping and packing pretty twining dresses for your little one, but the question always keep popping in your head. So, if you are finally planning your first family vacation, here’s what you need to know about your first child's passport. Now, if you’re thinking that they are so tiny and they should be able to travel on yours, then hold your horses because here’s what you must know before heading towards the airport. 

Do babies need to have a passport?

Each country has its own specific regulations, so it is great to check with them before you plan your trip to that country with your newborn. But generally, most countries require a passport for every single person traveling into their country, no matter the age.  

But some countries give some relaxation for a certain mode of traveling. For example, in the U.S., traveling to neighboring states like Mexico and Canada by land or sea doesn’t require you to have a first-child passport. Children under the age of 16 can travel with their certified birth certificate instead of having a passport. However, if you’re planning international travel, you have to apply for a child's passport because it is necessary for international travel. 

How to get a passport for an infant

Before starting to apply for a child passport, you should know all the requirements to get an infant passport for international travel. It requires some extra steps to apply for a child's passport. The documents that you might need to get your child's passport are:

• Birth certificate

• Proof of citizenship

• Consent form

• Marriage certificate of the parents

• Proof of custody

• National ID card

• Passport size photos

• Recommender's ID card copy

Here are the eight steps that you have to follow to get a first-child passport:

• First of all, fill and print the DS-11 form using online form filler. 

• Gather your child’s original birth certificate or evidence of U.S. citizenship (if any). 

• Show your parental relationship. A birth certificate or adoption decree will do. 

• Get your ID and your child’s other parent/legal guardian’s ID. 

• Get photocopies of all these original documents, including birth certificate, adoption decree(if applicable), and ID cards. 

• Find and visit the acceptance facility. Take your child and your child’s other parent/ legal guardian there. 

• Submit all the original and photocopy documents to the facility. Note that both parents/Legal guardians must approve your child having passport. 

• Bring an unsigned DS-11 form and pay the fees for your first child's passport. 

• It is better to bring passport-size photos with you because some (not all) facilities take photos. 

Additional considerations:

Both parents have to be present at the time of application. 

If the parents are separated, you need to have a court order to prove custody. 

As mentioned above, different countries may have different regulations for child passports, and it is important to check the regulations. For comprehensive details and the most current information, do visit your country’s government website.