Home » Travel & Places

Passports For Newborns: When Your Delivery Date And Departure Date Coincide

Ranked #6,904 in Travel & Places, #189,243 overall

While you may think this would never happen, how do you handle getting a newborn passport when your baby's arrival date and your vacation date are way too close to each other? It is certainly wise to ask this question ahead of time so you can be prepared but planning ahead will make the experience much easier. The requirements for a newborn's passport application are very similar to those that govern adult passport applications but there are a few exceptions.

There are many misconceptions that surround this issue, as every country has a different policy. In the United States, you will need to use a birth certificate in order to verify citizenship. Hospital records or birth notices are not able to be used in place of a birth certificate. These birth certificates generally arrive around a month after birth. However, you can go to the courthouse and obtain one faster. Make sure to figure out what your county's policy is beforehand.

Flying Babies

A social security number, though asked for, is not necessary when completing a passport application for the newborn. A social security number can take months to get, so the government allows for parents to use eight "0's" in place of a social security number. The time spent waiting on a social security number depends on how the child was delivered, for example, if it was delivered by means of a mid-wife or at a hospital. Passport processing and delivery can also be expedited, even without a social security number. While it may cost extra to get passports expedited, you may need to if your travel date is getting close.

Now we come to the passport photo. Yes, your newborn will have to say 'cheese' just like an adult with a few special requirements. A baby's eyes must be open and any head covering is forbidden. This is to insure identification any boarder agent must make concerning hair and eye color. Call ahead before rushing off to the photographer as there may be special arrangements that need to be made to accommodate a newborn photo shoot.

Where an adult's passport is valid for up to ten years, a child's passport is valid for up to five years. There is no need to have the picture retaken even thought the child's appearance will change drastically. This is the reason for the shorter expiration period for a newborn passport.

Are you awaiting the arrival of your baby and the bon voyage party during the same month? Don't worry. Contacting the proper agencies for U.S. passports, all the details and preparing ahead will ease the stress of getting a babies pass port. I can't say that will ease the stress of the impending labor and delivery.