Traveling out of Country with Baby?

Question

Besides a birth certificate what would we need to take our baby out of the country? If a passport is needed, would a photo be in it? Just wondering since a couple of weeks ago we went to Texas and they didn't care to check anything through security ... I figured it didn't matter since the front check gave us the ticket.

Answer 1

Babies need their own passports with photo for international travel. If you need a visa for the country you're visiting, you probably want to check with the embassy to see if they'll need their own visa too. I'm not sure if passport is required for travel to Mexico/Canada but for everywhere else it definitely is.

I think there might be a little more info required to get a passport for an infant/minor child, because of rules related to international child custody disputes etc (ie proof you're related to the child, etc)?

Here is a link wirth more info

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/min...

Answer 2

Unless absolutely necessary, it is not advisable to travel with a baby.  Apart from being dangerous, if you are flying, there is nothing worse than when a baby starts making noise and won't stop.  People are paying big money to fly nowadays, and apart from the inconvenience of those cramped seats, the last thing that they need is noise that can be avoided.  Best to leave it at home, and consider the other passengers, unless you are flying for a short distance, then it is tolerable. Sorry that I can't help with your other questions, I just don't think that babies should travel with parents unless it is by car, and private.

Answer 3

It depends on your nationality. Most countries require passports and passports always have pictures in them.

I fly with my three children between Europe and California about twice a year. My children only need their U.S. passports to enter the States (no birth certificate). As long as I can remember, the U.S. requires each member of the family to have a passport. Some countries have the option of putting children in the back of the parents' passports but not and option for U.S. citizens.  

The passport photo has to have the child's eyes open and show both ears. It has to have a white background and be 2 by 2 inches.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/guide/g...

Getting a baby to cooperate isn't the easiest so make sure the photographer or you know what you're doing. Don't have the passport photo rejected resulting in a delay. Who needs that grief!

Also, if you are a U.S. citizen, be aware that a few countries which didn't require passports now do so check before you go.

There are a few exceptions, like within certain European countries, they only require a national I.D. cards for their own citizens.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Ag...

Some countries have agreements between them and recognize other forms of ID, like the U.S. and Canada.

http://explore.canada.travel/ctc/ke/thin...

I understand that birth certificates (for U.S. born children) are required but not often checked with flying within the U.S. The other odd thing is that the baby's parents are not mentioned anywhere, a headache for moms with different last names (though I haven't known anyone to have a problem with this).

While adult U.S. passports are good for 10 years, it's only 5 for children but you don't change the passport. I was flying with an almost 5 year old, whose eyes had changed color and had curly black hair...and she had this newborn picture in her passport. I took another form of ID just in case and the immigration officiers did check her other passport (we have 2 nationalities).

You would think they would provide for updated photos (some countries do) but no, you'll be looking at that newborn photo for ages!

I would recommend getting the passport if you're even *thinking* of a trip outside the country. There are all sorts of horror stories of delayed passports causing trips to be cancelled or delayed. U.S. citizens have to have their U.S. passports to enter the States (for those of us with more than one nationality). No passport, no go and no way around it.

Answer 4

Babies need a valid passport- yup, picture and all. It will expire in 7 years. BOTH birth parents have to go in person to request the passport and BOTH parents must travel with the child OR the "missing" parent must sign a notarized form allowing the "traveling" parent to leave with the baby (to avoid international kidnapping by a parent).

Answer 5

For international travels, your baby will need a passport. This means that you will have to have a photo taken of your baby, fill out a passport application form for him, and both you and your husband will have to sign the application in front of the person taking the application. Passports for children (age newborn - 15) are only valid for FIVE (5) years.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/fri/faq...

Here is the US Travel site that tells you everything you will need when applying for a passport for your child:

http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get...

Depending on where you will be traveling to, you may also need a visa for your child, so please check on that as well. You can check the country you are traveling to and see what the entry requirements for US Citizens are:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/trave...

When you check in for international travels at the airport, the person at the check-in will check to make sure you all have passports, and if a visa is required for your destination. If you are missing a passport and/or visa, then you will also miss your flight.

I've been flying internationally & domestically with my children since they were each 2 months (now 8&6,&5 months). At least three trips a year are the children & I traveling internationally (14+ hours each way) alone. We do another 8-10 international and domestic flights a year as a family. I have never had any problems with my children.

I wrote a small article about flying with children that goes more in-depth, gives security rules & regulations for the US, EU, UK, & Australia, offers tips & tricks for the travel, etc. http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/f...

If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.