Published by Travel Visa Pro on Thu Sep 29 2022
Traveling with children has become much easier, thanks to the support measures undertaken by airlines and governments. It’s now possible to traverse the world with your child. But can your infant embark on tours without a passport? We look at the circumstances which can necessitate the processing of a passport and how you can apply for one.
Does an infant need a passport? Generally, infants should have passports to travel to and out of the United States. However, there are exceptions. Your infant will not require a passport when traveling by land or sea. Let us look at it in two ways:
- Traveling out of the United States: If you want to travel by land or sea to territories like Canada and Mexico, where passports are unnecessary, your infant will not need a passport. Instead, you can use their birth certificate. Moreover, you must ensure that you have a signed letter of consent from the infant’s parent or guardian if you are not the primary caregiver. The government will not relent on this owing to the rising cases of child trafficking in recent years.
- Traveling into the United States: If you are entering the United States with an infant by land or sea, you must present the child’s birth certificate at the border. Alternatively, you can gain entry using their consular report of birth abroad or naturalization certificate.
When traveling internationally by air, your infant must have a passport. Even if you are flying to Mexico, your infant must have a passport to board the plane. Please note that you will also need a signed letter of consent from their primary caregiver if you are not their parent or guardian.
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Do Infants Need Passports to Travel?
Infants traveling internationally by air must have a valid passport. Here is how you can process a passport for your infant to avoid getting turned away at the airport:
- Complete the DS-11 form, ensuring you include accurate details about your child – do not sign the form until an acceptance agent has verified it,
- Attach proof of identification for the child: You can use original or certified copies of any of the following documents – a U.S. passport in good condition, a U.S.-issued birth certificate, a consular report of birth abroad, or a certificate of citizenship. The copies must be physical, as the state will not accept digital evidence.
- Submit your proof of U.S. citizenship: You will need to attach supporting documentation of your U.S. citizenship. Not doing so can delay the processing of the infant’s passport, and
- Specify your relationship with the infant: If you are the child’s primary caregiver, you must include documents that portray this relationship. Examples include adoption decrees, birth certificates, custody decrees, and consular reports of birth abroad. Some of these documents can also prove your U.S. citizenship and can be used to serve criteria (c) and (d).
- Prepare supporting documents: These will be the documents you present to the acceptance agent. They include proof of identification, a photocopy of your ID, and parental consent if one of the primary caregivers cannot present themselves to the acceptance agent.
Like adult passports, you must always ensure that your child’s passport is valid. When it nears its expiration date, renew it before leaving the country. Otherwise, you may face challenges when processing a visa for them and can be turned away by the immigration authorities in the host country.
Can Infants Travel Without Passport Domestic?
You may wonder can infant travel without passport domestic? Passports are only necessary when:
- Traveling internationally by air, or
- Traveling by land or sea to territories requiring U.S. citizens to present passports.
Thus, when traveling with an infant domestically, you will not need to present their passport. Instead, you can use their birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or other documentation that identifies them. When crossing state lines, you may need to provide sufficient proof of your relationship with the infant. So, it’s always best to have a notarized letter of consent from their primary caregiver if you are not their parent or guardian.
Can an Infant Travel Internationally Without a Passport?
The good news is that your infant does not always need a passport. You can use their birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or any other document to cross the border. However, this will only suffice when traveling by land or sea to territories accepting such documents. Examples include Canada and Mexico. But if you are traveling by air or visiting countries that require U.S. citizens to have a passport, your infant must have a valid passport.
Please note that while having a passport is not mandatory, it’s always best to ensure your infant has a valid passport. It comes in handy in cases of emergency and can also ease visa applications. If you need to get a passport for your infant, do not hesitate to contact us at +1-833-TVP-VISA (887-8472). Our knowledgeable agents will be happy to submit and monitor the application documents on your behalf. If you are in a hurry, use our emergency passport services to cut back your waiting time to days!