Taking an international trip with your children is something neither you nor they will ever forget. But before you go on your overseas vacation, you’ll need to ensure that your child’s passport is valid. We know that this can seem like a daunting task, but that’s why we’re here to help! This guide will provide step-by-step instructions to ensure your little one’s travel documents are up-to-date. Whether it’s your first time applying for your child’s passport or you’re updating your child’s existing passport, we’ve got all the information you need for a smooth experience.
Does My Child Need a Passport?
If you and your family have plans to take an international vacation, your child will need to obtain a passport beforehand. If your child is under the age of 16, they will need to get a passport to travel internationally (even if they are an infant or baby). Please note that if your child is 16 years of age or older, they will need to apply for an adult passport rather than a child passport.
How Can I Apply For a Child Passport?
Getting your child a passport can be completed in 4 easy steps:
1. Select Your Service and Enter Your Information
The first thing that you need to do is visit the Swift Passport and Visa Services website and select your service. In this case, you will need to choose “New Child Passport.” Now, enter all of the required information for your child and move on to the next step in the process.
2. Gather All of the Required Documents
After completing the checkout process, you will be sent a list of documents you will need to submit for your child. The documents you need may vary but are required to complete the application process. Some of the documents you will need to gather include:
- Proof of Citizenship
- DS-11 Passport Application
- Passport Photo
- Copy of Both Parents’ Photo IDs
3. Visit a Passport Acceptance Agent
Next, your child and both parents must visit a post office or city/county clerk to get their application executed by a passport acceptance agent. There are some cases in which both parents do not need to be present (1 parent may be present in cases of sole custody or if they have a notarized DS-3053 from the non-appearing parent).
To find a passport acceptance agent near you, please visit this website.
4. Send In Your Documents and Receive Your Child’s Passport
Once you have gathered all of the documents and have had your child’s passport application executed by a passport acceptance agent, you must send your child’s documents to our Chicago office. It’s important to note that when you are meeting with the passport acceptance agent, they will seal all of the required items in an envelope for you, and you will need to send us the sealed envelope plus photocopies of all the items inside.
Please only use FedEx or UPS to send your documents, not USPS. If you use USPS to send your documents, your order could potentially be delayed, and you may not receive your passport in time. Once we have received your documents and processed your passport application, we will send everything back to you, including your valid passport.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Passport For a Child?
Depending on how long it takes you to complete the child passport application process, the time it will take to get your child a passport may vary. We offer numerous passport processing times (which you can see on our website) that can change occasionally. However, we found that the total time to get a passport for a child differs from person to person.
How Much is a Child’s Passport?
The cost of a child’s passport can vary depending on numerous factors, including how fast you need to get your child’s passport. We offer multiple processing time options, and depending on which one you choose, the cost of your passport may differ. Please visit the Swift Passport and Visa Services website to see our current child passport processing costs.
How Long is a Child’s Passport Valid?
The amount of time that a child’s passport is valid varies depending on how old your child was when they got their passport. For example, if your child was under the age of 16 when they got their passport, it will be valid for 5 years. But if your child was 16 years of age or older when they got their passport, it will be valid for 10 years. You can also check the validity of your child’s passport by looking at the expiration date.
Where Can I Get a Passport For My Child?
Obtaining a passport for your child is actually quite simple, and when you choose to get your child’s passport with Swift, you’ll find that the application process is quick and easy. Furthermore, if you have any questions along the way, our team of travel experts will be there to help answer them. No matter where you and your family plan on going, we’ll get you there!
