Baby Passports

Congratulations on your new little bundle of joy! Kiddos for already thinking about getting them set up with a passport. I always recommend getting started before you think about using it as the process can be lengthy. I hope to help walk you through some key steps to hopefully make the process less intimidating and get you on your way to traveling with your little one!

*This post is about getting a US passport for children under age 16.*

*I have also included niche information on applying for a UK passport for children under age 16 that are eligible based on parents citizenship.*

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First, you'll need to make an appointment at the post office or other passport site. Slots open a month in advance and book up very quickly!! When choosing a location, start local but depending on how quickly you need the passport, you may need to broaden your geographic search.

Make sure they do photos as that location too! Otherwise you'll have to go somewhere else to get an infant passport photo done and then still a separate appointment to submit your passport paperwork and hope that the photos taken earlier are accepted.

I've included the link to schedule a passport appointment with USPS here!

You can also check your local post office for walk-in hours for passport applications. I recommend getting there 30-60 minutes early because they often form lines early and typically only accept the first 5 or so walk ins.

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Now that you've gotten your appointment, you will want to fill out the form itself online and bring a printed copy of it. As with all of this documentation, I like to have 2 copies of everything - one to give them, and one to keep for our records.

Things to bring*:

• Mom, Dad, and Baby

• Original and copies of Mom and Dad's driver's licenses

• Original and copy of Baby's birth certificate

• Printed completed passport application

*This list is based off a family where Mom and Dad are broth parents. For other families/relationships, see the passport application website for other documents accepted for Prof of citizenship.

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While you are there, they will take your little one's picture for their passport. There are a few different ways to complete these pictures. The general rules include: a plain white background, nothing obscuring their face (ie pacifier, hat, etc), and no additional people in the picture. This means that moms arm to hold baby cannot be in the picture. You may want to bring a white blanket if your little one can't sit independently. They just had me hold up Andrew from behind with one arm hidden behind his head/neck and the other arm holding his weight in his bottom. Of note, infant's eyes do not need to be completely open.

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• A few notes on getting a UK passport •

Our kiddos are actually eligible for dual citizenship - US and UK. Emma and Andrew were both born in the US to two parents with US citizenship so they both get born US citizenship. Tom (their dad) was born in the UK so he is a born UK citizen and naturalized US citizen. As the children of a born UK citizen, Emma and Andrew are also eligible for naturalized UK citizenship!

You can apply for a UK passport online or by post.

If applying online, there is a specific step to verify the child's identity.

If applying by post, you will submit your application with supporting documents:

• 2 passport photos

• Original and copy of Baby's birth certificate

• Proof of British nationality: for example a British registration certificate, parent’s passport details or parent’s birth certificates

• Any valid passports from a different country belonging to the child (we have waited to get our kiddos US passports done first, then sent over for their UK passports)

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I hope this helps make the passport process easier for your family! Don't forget to follow along for more tips and tricks: @thewanderingolivers on Instagram. You can DM us or email us at thewanderingolivers@outlook.com with specific questions!

XOXO,

Tom, Katie, Emma, and Andrew

"The Wandering Olivers"