The process of obtaining a passport for a newborn is unfortunately not so intuitive, but it can be smooth by following these steps!
Book your appointment at the nearest post office ASAP.
These slots are hot commodities and, in our experience, book up about 3 weeks in advance!
Use black ink!
We made the mistake and used blue at first on the application, oops. Bring the printed and completed application with you, along with baby’s SSN (physical card not required) and a physical birth certificate to your appointment.
Don’t wait to receive the birth certificate by mail.
Walk into a local health department — no appointment required — to request a printed copy of your child’s birth certificate. It’s $15 per copy! If you opt for a requested mailed certificate, the waiting time is 4 weeks on average.
Take the photos yourself.
Prevent a meltdown at the post office by taking a photo on your phone in the comfort of your own home. Natural light with no shadows is key! You can lay your baby on a white sheet to serve as their “backdrop.” Open eyes are mandatory!
Once you’re happy with a photo, go to 123passportphoto.com, which will upload, crop, auto-enhance, and lay out your baby’s photo. You’ll pay $9 to download the JPG file, which you can then send off to Walgreens or CVS to print a 4x6 standard photo! Bring the sheet of photos with you to your appointment — they’ll cut and place it on your application for you.
Pay for expedited — It’s worth it.
We applied with expedited, which promises 7-9 weeks, and we received ours in 8!
Both parents must be present.
There is a workaround that requires a formal notarized form — otherwise, find a time that works for both of your calendars. And bring your drivers licenses as proof of identification!
Bring a blank check.
You’ll use a credit card for one charge, but a check is required to pay the US Passport office.
Be patient!
You’ve got this and will be traveling with baby in no time!
