If you intend to travel outside the United States with a newborn baby, they will need their own valid passport. To apply for a baby’s passport in Texas, the procedure you have to follow is the same as for all other states.
You should already have all the required documents on hand, as they are usually sent right after the birth of the baby. So, if you need to find out what you have to do to get a passport for a baby in Texas, keep reading and we will go through the whole process.
Passport for a baby in Texas: documents
To apply for a child’s passport in Texas, the Department of State requires you to go in person to the passport agency and provide:
- form DS-11
- proof of the baby’s US citizenship (birth certificate, naturalization certificate, consular report of birth abroad)
- a photocopy of the proof of citizenship
- proof of parental relationship
- identification documents from both parents
- photocopies of the parents’ IDs
- a 2″ x 2″ passport photo of the newborn.
Do not sign the passport application form right away; you should do that in front of the passport facility clerk.
Looking for more tips for your passport application? Look no further:
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- Do You Need a New Passport When You Turn 16 [+ What to Do to Renew It]
- Can You Get a Passport With a Bench Warrant?
Procedure for getting a passport after delivering a baby in Texas
When handing in a child’s passport application in Texas, the baby needs to be present and accompanied by both parents, if possible.
The first thing you should do is get Form DS-11 from the Department of State’s website.This document can be completed online and printed, or filled out by hand. Do not attach the passport photo or sign the form yet.
Photocopy the proof of citizenship and the ID on 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper. The copies need to be in black and white and one-sided. If the documents you chose have data on the back, make copies of both sides.
Take a passport photo of the baby, making sure you are following all the official requirements.
Locate a passport acceptance facility near you. In all cities in Texas, you will find at least one dedicated passport agency. In rural areas, post offices handle passport services. Check if the office you picked requires you to make an appointment. The USPS generally accepts walk-ins, while some agencies might not.
At this stage, you can bring all the documentation to the facility and start the application. If everything is in order, the procedure will only take a few minutes.
Once you hand in all the documents, you will have to pay the passport fees. The application fee for a baby is $15 for a passport card (not valid for international travel by air) and $100 for a passport book. You also have to pay $35 for the execution fee. Not all payment methods are accepted in every facility; however, a certified check or a money order will be valid for passport agencies and post offices alike.
The processing times for a baby’s passport are between 8 (eight) and 10 (ten) weeks. If you need the document sooner, you can pay an extra $60 to access the expedited service. In this case, the passport will be ready in 5 (five) to 7 (seven) weeks.
A baby’s passport only has a 5 (five) year validity and can’t be renewed with form DS-82.
Passport for a baby in Texas: 4 helpful tips
Tip#1. If you choose to bring a birth certificate as proof of US citizenship and parental relationship, make sure that it follows all these parameters:
- is issued by the city, county, or state of birth;
- lists the baby’s full name, date, and place of birth;
- lists both parents’ full names;
- is signed by the city, county, or state registrar’s office;
- has the date filed with the same office;
- has been sealed by the issuing authority.
Tip#2. If you don’t have a birth certificate with all these details, you can request a certified copy from the Bureau of Vital Statistics (telephone: 412-565-5113) or the hospital where the baby was born.
Tip#3. If you only have a foreign birth certificate for the baby, make sure to also provide a certificate of naturalization or an adoption decree.
Tip#4. A baby’s passport application requires parental consent. If one of the parents can’t be present for the appointment, they need to complete and have Form DS-3053 notarized. In case of special family circumstances of any kind, fill out Form DS-5255.
Passport Photo Online
Taking a passport photo for a baby can be quite challenging. Even if the official US guidelines are a bit more forgiving when it comes to a newborn’s picture, there are still a lot of details that have to be just right.
With Passport Photo Online, taking a baby’s passport photos is pure child’s play. You just need to find a good source of light, possibly from above. Lay the infant on their back and use your smartphone to snap the photo. The AI will:
- remove shadows from the face;
- take care of small extra elements;
- clear the background.
Passport Photo Online gives you a 100% guarantee of acceptance by the authorities and helps you save up to 40% on passport photos. All you need to use the app is a smartphone or a digital camera!
How to apply for a passport in Texas for a baby: FAQ
To clarify any doubts about the process, we will answer a couple questions about a child’s passport application in Texas.
How to get a passport for a baby in Texas?
What documents do you need for a baby's passport in Texas?
How to get a passport for a baby in Texas: conclusion
Applying for a baby’s passport in Texas requires the same standard process followed in the rest of the country. All the documents you need to apply should have been provided to you shortly after the baby’s birth. If any of them are missing, you only need to request a certified copy from the Government office to have all you need to apply.
To take perfect pictures for your baby’s passport, trust Passport Photo Online: we guarantee that the picture will be accepted by the authorities, and your application will go forward without any roadblocks.
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Riccardo Ollmert is a multilingual writer and travel expert. He studied Languages, Literature and Publishing Industry at La Sapienza University of Rome. His passions include traveling and learning new skills.
