The days are gone when airlines will just believe that you have your own child when traveling. You will need to show identification for any child who is traveling. Even an infant must have a child passport to travel so you will need to get one if you want to fly on an airplane. This includes travel to even Canada or Mexico.
It is not that difficult to get a child passport. You just need to be prepared ahead of time before you go in and apply for one. You will only need to renew a children’s passport every five years and the photo can be added every six months to update, as your child will change in their look as they grow.
Your children’s legal birth certificate will be needed. It needs to be the actual certificate with the seal and not a copy or the little card that you may have. They will submit it with the application so know this in advance. You will get it back but you might want more than one copy so you have one on hand while they keep it.
You the parent will need proof of your relationship with your child. This could be the birth certificate or adoption papers that have a court seal. Both parents do not need to be present at the application process if there is a notarized signature by the absent parent for the application. You can get these forms online and print one out. If you are the only parent you need to prove that as well with a legal document such as divorce papers showing custody or a death certificate.
Also bring your child’s social security card with you. It is filled out on the DS-11 application and also you may need to show the actual card. Gather all of these items in a folder so you are organized when you get there to the application appointment. You do not need to make an appointment to get a passport. It is usually done on a walk in basis.
You have to prove your identification as well. You can use your passport or driver’s license. You can also use a military ID if you have one. There are also other documents you can use. Just check with their website before you go if you have other types of identification.
Many sites will take your photo but you can also bring your own. You just need to meet their requirements. Many photo shops will take a passport photo for you and give you two copies of the picture for the application.
Be prepared for the costs of a American passport as well. They are around eighty dollars each to date so plan for this. The exact amount of a infant passport can be calculated on the USPS website or other sites. Have all of your documentation ready, photos and enough of a payment to get a child us passport. You will receive it in about six weeks so plan ahead and be prepared.
