How to Get a U.S. Passport for Your Newborn

To get a passport for a newborn, both parents generally have to appear in person with the baby at a passport acceptance facility, submit Form DS-11 along with the child’s certified birth certificate, a compliant infant photo, and copies of both parents’ IDs, then pay the fees and wait. Routine processing runs four to six weeks as of 2026, not counting mail time.¹ Every U.S. citizen, including a newborn, needs a valid passport book to board an international flight, with no minimum age.²

What to Gather Before You Apply

Start with Form DS-11, the application every first-time applicant under 16 uses. You can complete it through the State Department’s online form-filler and print it, but do not sign it. The signature happens in front of the acceptance agent, and a form signed in advance can be rejected.³ The form asks for the baby’s full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number.⁴

If your baby hasn’t been issued an SSN yet, enter zeros in that field and include a signed, dated statement saying the child has never been issued one. Failing to provide an SSN when one has actually been issued can trigger a $500 IRS penalty, so most parents find it simpler to wait for the SSN card before applying.⁵

For proof of citizenship, submit an original or certified birth certificate from the city, county, or state of birth. Photocopies and notarized copies don’t count as primary evidence. The certificate must list the child’s full name, date of birth, place of birth, and both parents’ names.⁶ Most states take several weeks to issue that certified copy after birth, so factor that wait into your schedule.

If your baby was born abroad to U.S. citizen parents, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad serves as the primary citizenship proof. Without one, you’ll need the foreign birth record showing both parents’ names, evidence of the citizen parent’s own citizenship, the parents’ marriage certificate if applicable, and a statement from the citizen parent listing where and when they lived in the U.S. and abroad before the birth.⁷

The Infant Passport Photo

The photo is one of the harder pieces. The baby must face the camera against a plain white or off-white background, alone in the frame. Most parents lay the baby on a white sheet and shoot straight down. Eyes should be open when possible, though the State Department applies that standard with some flexibility for very young infants.⁸ Common rejection reasons include shadows on the face or background and visible hands supporting the baby’s head. Retail pharmacies and photo studios charge roughly $5 to $20 and are used to infant shots.

Both Parents Have to Sign

The rule that catches families off guard: both parents or legal guardians must appear in person with the child at the appointment and sign the application.⁹ Each parent brings a valid government-issued photo ID and a photocopy of the front and back of that ID.⁶

If one parent cannot attend, the absent parent completes Form DS-3053, a notarized Statement of Consent, and the applying parent brings it to the appointment. Notary fees for DS-3053 generally run $25 to $35 depending on the state. If a parent is genuinely unreachable, the applying parent submits Form DS-5525 explaining the circumstances in detail.¹⁰

Where to Apply and What It Costs

Applications go in at a passport acceptance facility, which for most families means a local post office, public library, or clerk of court office. The State Department has a searchable tool that lists nearby facilities and hours.⁹ Most locations require an appointment, so book ahead. The baby has to be physically present; the acceptance agent needs to see the child.

You pay two separate fees. The application fee for a passport book for a child under 16 is $100, sent to the U.S. Department of State by check or money order only. No credit cards, cash, or electronic payment for this piece. Write the child’s name and date of birth in the memo line. On top of that, a $35 execution fee goes to the acceptance facility itself, with payment methods that vary by location.¹¹

One note on what you’re buying: only a passport book works for international air travel. A passport card is cheaper at $15 but valid only for land and sea crossings to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. If your baby is flying, choose the book.¹²

At the appointment, the agent reviews the DS-11 and your supporting documents, has you swear the information is truthful, and watches you sign. Everything gets packaged and sent to a regional processing center.

How Long It Takes

Routine processing is four to six weeks as of 2026, not counting mailing time in either direction. Expedited processing adds $60 to the application fee and cuts the timeline to two to three weeks. Include the expedite fee with your application when you submit; you can’t add it later without extra steps. These windows shift with seasonal demand, so check the State Department’s current processing times page before you apply.¹

You can check status online at passportstatus.state.gov starting 14 business days after applying.¹³ The passport and your original documents come back in separate mailings, so don’t worry if the birth certificate arrives before the passport does or the other way around.

Traveling in Two Weeks or Less

With confirmed international travel inside 14 calendar days, you can request an Urgent Travel appointment at a regional passport agency. You’ll need proof of upcoming travel, like a flight itinerary.¹⁴

A separate track exists for life-or-death emergencies involving an immediate family member outside the United States who has died, is dying, or has a life-threatening illness or injury. Immediate family here means a parent, child, spouse, sibling, or grandparent. You’ll need documentation of the emergency, such as a death certificate, mortuary statement, or a letter on hospital letterhead signed by a doctor, plus proof of international travel within the next two weeks. Try the online appointment tool first; if no slots appear, call 1-877-487-2778 on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET, or 202-647-4000 after hours and on weekends.¹⁵

Validity and What Comes Next

A passport issued to a child under 16 is valid for five years. Unlike adult passports, a child’s passport cannot be renewed by mail on Form DS-82. When it expires, you repeat the full in-person process with a new DS-11, fresh photos, and both parents present.⁹ Five years passes quickly when you started with an infant, so check the expiration date well before you book any future trip. Many countries also require at least six months of validity remaining at the time of entry, which effectively shortens the useful window.

1
U.S. Department of State. How to Get My U.S. Passport Fast
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Documents Needed to Enter the United States and Travel Internationally
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U.S. Department of State. 8 FAM 603.1 Special Acceptance Procedures
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U.S. Department of State. Application for a U.S. Passport
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U.S. Department of State. Frequently Asked Questions About Passport Services
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U.S. Department of State. Get Citizenship Evidence for a U.S. Passport
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USAGov. Prove Your Citizenship Born Outside the U.S. to a U.S. Citizen Parent
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U.S. Department of State. U.S. Passport Photograph Acceptance Guide – Children’s Photos Addendum
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U.S. Department of State. Apply for a Child’s U.S. Passport
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U.S. Department of State. Statement of Consent – U.S. Passport Issuance to a Child
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U.S. Department of State. Passport Fees
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U.S. Department of State. United States Passport Fees for Acceptance Facilities
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U.S. Department of State. Passport Application System
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U.S. Department of State. Processing Times for U.S. Passports
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U.S. Department of State. Get a Passport if You Have a Life-or-Death Emergency