Questions and Answers About Children’s US Passports

Do babies require passports?
Simple answer, yes. All U.S. citizens, regardless of age, require a passport to travel internationally.

What occurs at a passport appointment?
Once all forms have been signed and submitted, you will have numerous fees to submit. If you are getting a passport for more than just one child, you will be required to submit one payment per child. You should apply for a passport within a minimum six weeks of your trip. It often takes two to three weeks to obtain a passport, this is not guaranteed, however. If you have less than six weeks, it is highly recommended you choose Expedited Service, which carries an additional fee.

Do my kids require passports for travel within the U.S.?
People under the age of adulthood (18) are not subject to provide identification at the airport.

Do babies and kids need passports for Canada?
No, but you’ll be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship for your child. A birth certificate is one such way to prove this.

Do kids need passports for cruises?
This can vary from cruise line to cruise line. As an example, Royal Caribbean International requires that minors are in possession of a notarized or certified copy of their birth certificate, Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issues by DOS. On the other hand, Disney requires that all guests travel with a valid passport. Be sure to double-check your cruise line’s policy before your departure.