The form, DS-11, requires you to list the baby’s “place of birth.” This is straightforward unless your baby was born in a taxi, in which case, congratulations—you now have a taxicab as a life-long trivia answer. Both parents must appear in person at the post office or courthouse. Yes, both of you. Even if you’re divorced. Even if one parent is a llama farmer in Peru. The government does not care about your feelings or your schedule.
You’ll need to bring the baby’s original birth certificate—not a copy, not a screenshot from your phone, not a lovingly narrated drawing. The clerk will inspect it like it’s the Da Vinci Code. Then they’ll ask the baby to swear an oath. I’m not kidding. They’ll say, “Do you solemnly swear…” while the baby coos and digs a fist into your ear.
The Shocking Truth: It’s a Rip-Off (But Worth It)
Here’s a surprising fact: a baby passport is only valid for five years. That’s it. You pay $225 for a document that expires before the kid learns to read. Meanwhile, an adult passport lasts ten years! It’s highway robbery, but it’s legal highway robbery because babies change faces faster than a celebrity plastic surgeon’s schedule.
But here’s the counter-intuitive twist: getting it now might actually save you money. If you wait until they’re two, they’ll scream louder, the photo will be worse, and you’ll pay the same fee—plus therapy for the photographer. Get it while they’re floppy and sedate.
Passports For Minors | Heavenly Cruises
