When is it time to apply for a passport for your child?
There is no minimum age for passports. If you fly to another country with a minor it is not possible to use their birth certificate or have them registered on your passport.
Passenger of any age are required to carry a valid passport for international travel. If you're flying with children, they must have a valid passport book before they can take the flight.
If you plan to take a family vacation abroad, you will need passports for each of your children.
The application for a child's passport is slightly more difficult than that of an adult.
You don't have to worry, just add a few documents and your child can fly immediately.
A signed statement by both parents or legal guardians, as well as a photo ID and birth certificate, is required for children.
To submit an application, children must be accompanied by at most one parent. To apply for a child's passport if you are single parent, please visit this post.
The average processing time for a child’s passport application takes around 14 weeks. Make sure to apply well in advance of your trip.
A child's passport is valid for five years instead of 10 if they are under 16.
In what cases do children not need a passport?
Although a child's passport may not be mandatory in all cases, there are some situations where you can travel with your children and without this document.
Domestic flights are the most frequent case. The U.S. citizen who is flying within the country does not need a passport. Most forms of ID are sufficient.
The Real ID Act will go into effect on May 3, 2023 and will not allow for all documents to be used for domestic travel. Check to make sure your child's ID card does not have "Not for Federal Identification" and "Federal Limits Applic" printed on it. This information will be required for identification.
A second exception is land and sea travel to Canada and Mexico as well as certain Caribbean islands.
To cross the border to these destinations, children younger than 15 years old only require a birth certificate. A passport book is not required for closed-loop cruises.
Keep in mind, however, that if you plan to fly to any of the above countries, the only valid document is a passport book. This applies to both children and adults.
Even though it is not necessary, it's a good idea for children to have a passport before they travel or to renew their passport if it expires.
Do you need a new photo in order to apply for a passport for your child? To get them quickly, you can use AiPassportPhoto.
Child's passport-Summary
As you can see, international air travel is possible without a minimum passport age. To fly to another country, your children will need a passport book. No other document will be accepted.
To travel within the country, you don't need a passport. However, it is a good idea to have a photo ID as well as a copy the birth certificate of your child.
Children under 15 years old do not require a passport if they are crossing into Mexico, Canada, or The Caribbean by sea or land borders. It's still a good idea if you have to change your transportation to get back to Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean.
FAQ
What age does a child require a passport to fly?
All passengers must have a passport for international travel.
Is it necessary for a child to have a passport in order to fly in the USA?
For domestic flights, U.S. citizens do not need to present a passport. They only need a valid ID.
Is a passport required for a child to travel to Canada?
Children under 15 years old can use their birth certificates to cross the Canadian border by land or water. All passengers must have a valid passport book to fly.
Is a passport required for a child to travel to Mexico?
Children under 15 years old can use their birth certificates to cross the Mexican border by land or water. All passengers must have a valid passport book to fly.
Is a passport required for a child to travel to Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is a U.S. Territory, so the flight can be considered domestic.