When traveling with children, it is very important to make sure they have the appropriate documentation before taking off on your adventures. You may be wondering if your child under two needs a passport or if you should get a baby passport photo taken. The answer is that yes, all children need a passport, even newborns and infants. You do not need a passport to travel domestically, but if you are traveling internationally, you will need a passport for your child.
There are a few exceptions to this rule. If you are traveling to Canada, you will not need a passport for children under 15. However, you will need to bring a copy of their birth certificate as proof of citizenship. This is also true for travel to US territories – you will not need a passport, but you do need a birth certificate or other proof of identity and citizenship. Having a passport for your child can make the process of traveling to US territories easier, because it can be used for these purposes.
You wouldn’t want to take your child’s photo at the same place you get your adult passport photos done, as the environment may be overwhelming for kids. Luckily, there are many places where you can get children’s passport photos taken. Many local businesses that offer passport photos, such as drugstores, have services specifically for taking passport photos for infants and toddlers. During these sessions, you can keep your child calm while the photographer takes pictures. Since not all businesses offer these services for toddlers and infants, it may be helpful to call in ahead of time and ask.
You can also get baby passport photos done online. With these services, you will take a picture of your child yourself according to the guidelines provided. You will then upload it to the site, and once it is approved, you can use it for your child’s passport when applying. This is very convenient for busy parents who are planning international travel. Before heading off on an international trip with a child under two, be sure to get their passport finalized so you can travel stress-free.
