What is a person to do when they are expecting their baby and their vacation to arrive at times uncomfortably close, especially when your vacation requires a passport. It’s certainly a good question to ask how to get a passport for newborns but planning ahead is the key to making this process a lot easier. The rules are pretty much the same with a few exceptions.

Since each country has their own rules and regulation, it is wise to investigate the rules that apply in the country you reside. The United States requires the presentation of an official birth certificate for the issuance of a newborn passport. The presentation of a birth announcement or some hospital paperwork will not suffice. While it can take a month or so to get your baby’s birth certificate if left to the tradition mail service, this process will go a lot quicker if a visit is paid to the courthouse located in the birth county.

A social security number is requested on all passport applications but for a newborn passport, this space can be filled in with eight “0”’s. You may think that this might slow the process of receiving your child’s passport but although there may be an extra fee, delivery of the passport, unlike that of your child, can be expedited. It may cost a little more but it will be worth the piece of mind for sure.

The rules are the same when it comes to passport photos. The newborn passport must have a picture of the newborn but there are special requirements for this picture. The baby must not be wearing anything on its head and the baby’s eyes must be open. This is to enable the airport customs agent to identify eye and hair color. Remember to call ahead when arranging for the newborn’s passport photo as special preparations may be necessary to accommodate a newborn baby.

While an adult’s passport is valid for ten years, a newborn passport is valid only five years. A child’s appearance will certainly change drastically within those five years and while this does not require a new picture be taken, it does limit the life of the passport to five years.

Don’t worry. With proper information and planning, everything can be made a lot easier when you need newborn United States passports. Contact your government to be sure you are information of your country’s requirements. While waiting for your baby to arrive, get all your plans in order to a speedy delivery and a speedy babies passport. The passport will certainly be the easier one to arrange. Good luck and bon voyage.

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