Infants Need a Passport For International Travel

Any parent that is going on an international trip andIn addition to the forms, do not forget to get the
that plans on taking their child should get familiar withpassport photos of the child.
infant passport laws immediately. If you think thatSince an infant cannot sign their own name, mom and
just because the child is a newborn or a minor thator dad are going to have to handle the task for
they can freely pass between borders, you are sadlythem. It is actually a co-signature that goes on the
mistaken. The process itself is almost identical topassport until the child can sign the passport by
what an adult has to do, with provisions in placethemselves. When the child is able to sign their own
because of the age of the young internationalname, the passport can be renewed with their actual
traveler.signature on the passport.
For a parent to raise their arms and question the factFor the parent signature to be valid on the passport,
that they have to have an infant passport is notit has to be done in a very specific way. The parent
uncommon. However, many people forget that it iswill have to sign the child's name and then sign their
still about people leaving and coming back to aname right next to it. After that, they need to put
country. To allow random children to enter or leavetheir relationship next both signatures in parenthesis
the country without accountability could lead to somestating their relationship to the child. If only one
very serious issues.parent will be going on the trip with the infant, it is
Something else to consider are such horrible things asbest if that parent is the one that signs the passport
human trafficking and kidnapping. Believe it or not,for the baby.
this happens with parents of children who are tryingIf a child is not yet 16 the passport can only be
to get away from another parent. The angry motherobtained if consent is given by the parents. The
who has just lost her child custody case or perhapsobvious reason for this is so that one parent does
the father that has disappeared to another countrynot get the passport and take the child out of the
and suddenly shows up and wants his child back.country without the knowledge of the other parent.
The infant or child will get their passport in much theThis will not be a problem for parents that are still
same way that an adult does. It goes without sayingtogether, but if there has been a divorce or
that the child will not be able to do this on their own,separation, make sure time is allotted to get
so mom and or dad are going to have to do all ofeverything together so there is not a problem in
the work in order for a valid passport to be obtained.securing tickets or making the trip.