International travel with a baby: the documents

Just starting to think about travel planning around your due date? Our pregnancy due date calculator can help map travel windows.

The four-document checklist

For any international trip with a baby from the US, you need four things in order:

1. Baby's US passport book.
2. Any required destination visa.
3. Notarized parental consent letter if applicable.
4. Original or certified copy of baby's birth certificate (always).

Optional but smart additions: vaccination record, insurance card, pediatrician's contact info, and a copy of all of the above stored in your phone and a cloud account.

Baby's first US passport

The US requires babies to have their own passport from birth. Babies cannot be added to a parent's passport.

The application process

1. Both parents must appear in person with the baby. If one parent can't, the present parent must show a notarized Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) signed by the absent parent, plus their photo ID.
2. Fill out Form DS-11 (don't sign it until at the appointment).
3. Submit the baby's original or certified-copy birth certificate (will be returned).
4. Submit both parents' photo IDs (drivers license, US passport).
5. Submit one 2"x2" passport photo of the baby.
6. Pay $135 ($100 application fee + $35 execution fee). Expedite is +$60.

The baby photo

This is the hard part. Requirements:

• Eyes open, looking forward. (Yes, even for a 2-week-old.)
• White background.
• No hats, no pacifiers, no toys in frame.
• Mouth closed.
• 2"x2" square, head 1"-1 3/8" tall.

The easiest trick: lay baby on a plain white sheet or pillowcase, hover the camera directly above, snap a few when baby looks up. Have them processed through a service like Walgreens or CVS — they'll confirm the photo meets specs before printing.

Where to apply

Find a passport acceptance facility (post office, library, courthouse) at travel.state.gov. Most require appointments. Walk-ins exist but lines can be 2-3 hours.

Timing

• Routine processing: 6-8 weeks.
• Expedited: 2-3 weeks ($60 surcharge).
• Urgent (less than 14 days): visit a regional passport agency with proof of imminent travel.

Apply 3 months before travel as a safety buffer.

How long the passport is valid

Baby passports are valid for 5 years (vs 10 years for adults). They will need a new one before age 5. Many countries require 6 months of passport validity past your return date — check the destination's rules.

Parental consent letters

If you're traveling alone with your baby (without the other parent), some countries require a notarized consent letter from the absent parent. The countries that enforce this most often:

• Mexico (very strictly enforced at land borders, less at airports).
• South Africa (required by law for under-18 entry).
• Brazil.
• India.
• Argentina.
• Most African destinations.

Even countries that don't legally require it (Canada, EU countries) sometimes ask for it. Bring one for any solo trip. Costs nothing extra.

What goes in the letter

• Full names of both parents and child.
• Child's date of birth and passport number.
• Destination and dates of travel.
• Name of the parent who will accompany the child.
• Statement of consent: "I, [absent parent name], give consent for [child name] to travel with [traveling parent name] to [destination] from [date] to [date]."
• Notarized signature of the absent parent.
• Phone number of the absent parent.

For divorced or single parents: bring legal documentation showing sole custody (court order). The traveling parent should also bring the other parent's contact info or proof of death if applicable.

Visa requirements for babies

Babies need their own visas if the destination requires a visa. Examples:

• EU Schengen Area: No visa for US passport holders for stays under 90 days (changing to ETIAS in 2026 — small fee, online application).
• UK: No visa for US passport holders under 6 months stay.
• Australia: All travelers including babies need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority).
• New Zealand: NZeTA required.
• India: e-Visa required for all ages.
• China: Full visa required.
• Brazil: Visa required for all ages.
• Mexico: No visa for tourist stays under 180 days, but FMM card required (filled at the airport).
• Most Caribbean: No visa for short tourist stays.

Always check the State Department's country information page for your destination at travel.state.gov.

The State Department travel advisories

Check the State Department travel advisory for your destination at travel.state.gov. The 4 levels:

• Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Fine for travel.
• Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Generally still OK but read the specific concerns.
• Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Take this seriously, especially with babies.
• Level 4: Do Not Travel. Don't.

Vaccinations and the yellow card

Some destinations require proof of vaccinations. The most common is yellow fever, required for entry into much of sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South America. The yellow fever vaccine cannot be given to babies under 9 months — meaning you cannot legally travel to a yellow-fever-required country with a baby that young.

Check the CDC traveler's health page for your destination. For babies, many travel vaccines are also age-restricted (typhoid: 2+ years for capsule, 6 months for shot; hepatitis A: 6 months minimum).

Bring baby's vaccination record. Some countries verify it on entry; many don't but it's good to have if baby gets sick abroad.

Health insurance and travel insurance

Most US health insurance does NOT cover medical care abroad. Travel insurance with medical coverage costs $50-$200 for a 1-week trip, includes:

• Emergency medical evacuation.
• Hospital admission.
• Pediatric care abroad.
• Trip cancellation if baby gets sick before travel.
• Lost luggage.

Worldnomads, Allianz, IMG, and SafetyWing all sell family travel insurance. Read what's covered for under-1 — some policies exclude babies under 6 months.

Birth certificate (always bring it)

For international travel with a baby, bring a certified copy of the birth certificate even though you have the passport. Reasons:

• Some countries verify parent-child relationships, especially with same-sex parents or with one parent traveling.
• If passport is lost abroad, getting a replacement requires the birth certificate.
• If the baby gets serious medical care abroad, providers may want proof of identity beyond the passport.

Don't carry the original. Use a certified copy ordered from your state's vital records office for $15-$30.

Documents to keep on your phone (and one cloud account)

• Photo of baby's passport (every page).
• Photo of baby's birth certificate.
• Photo of baby's vaccination record.
• Travel insurance policy + contact number.
• Pediatrician's name and phone in international format (+1, etc.).
• US embassy phone number for your destination.
• Photo of your driver's license.
• Photo of your own passport.
• Flight confirmations.
• Hotel confirmations.

Cloud account suggestion: Google Drive, iCloud, or a dedicated travel folder. Encrypt with a password if possible.

Trusted Traveler programs for parents

If you have Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, children under 12 (Global Entry) or 17 (TSA PreCheck) can go with you. Both speed up airport security significantly with a baby.

• TSA PreCheck: $85 for 5 years. Domestic only. Kids under 17 go free with you.
• Global Entry: $100 for 5 years. Includes TSA PreCheck. Kids under 12 go free with you. Best for international travelers.
• NEXUS: $50 for 5 years. Best for US-Canada travelers. Includes Global Entry.

What to do if a document is lost abroad

• Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate immediately.
• You can get an emergency replacement passport within 24-48 hours at most embassies.
• Bring whatever ID you have — phone photos of the lost passport, birth certificate, anything.
• Police report from the country you're in.
• Two new passport photos.
• Replacement fee: $135.

The 60-day pre-trip checklist

1. Apply for passports (yours and baby's).
2. Check destination visa requirements.
3. Check destination passport validity rules.
4. Check vaccinations needed.
5. Buy travel insurance.
6. Notarize parental consent letter if needed.
7. Order certified birth certificate copies.
8. Schedule pediatrician visit 4-6 weeks pre-trip for vaccinations or sign-off.
9. Apply for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck if you don't have it.
10. Make digital copies of all documents.

The 7-day pre-trip checklist

1. Re-confirm all flight times.
2. Pack passports, birth certificate, insurance docs in carry-on (NEVER checked bag).
3. Charge phone and bring portable charger.
4. Download offline maps for destination.
5. Download translation app (Google Translate offline pack).
6. Check weather; pack accordingly.
7. Take a screenshot of US embassy contact info.

For sleep adjustment after a long flight, our time zone adjustment guide walks through the steps to reset baby's schedule.