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When families plan to travel internationally with their little ones, one of the first questions that arises is: Do newborn babies need a passport to travel abroad? The answer is yes. Every Indian citizen, regardless of age—even a one-day-old infant—must have a valid passport to travel internationally. This article provides a detailed guide on why passports are required for newborns, the documents necessary for application, step-by-step procedures, and essential travel tips for parents.
A passport is an official identity document issued by the government that certifies nationality and identity. Since international travel requires proof of citizenship, infants and newborns cannot be added to their parents’ passports (a practice that was discontinued years ago). Every child, no matter how young, must have their own passport for international travel.
Immigration Requirements: Airlines and immigration authorities require individual passports for each traveler.
Global Regulations: Most countries follow strict international security and identity verification protocols.
Visa Applications: A visa cannot be issued without a valid passport, even for a newborn.
Identity Protection: The passport acts as the baby’s first official government-issued ID.
To apply for a newborn passport in India, parents must provide certain documents to establish the baby’s identity, birth details, and parental guardianship.
Proof of Date of Birth (DOB):
Birth Certificate issued by the Municipal Corporation or Registrar of Births & Deaths.
Proof of Address (of parents):
Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Utility Bill, or Passport of either parent.
Proof of Identity (of parents):
Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or Passport.
Photographs of the Baby:
Generally, photographs are taken at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). For newborns, a soft copy may not be required, as biometric details (like fingerprints) are exempt.
Annexure D (Declaration by Parents):
A declaration confirming the relationship of the child with parents.
The application process for a newborn passport is simple if all documents are in place.
Parents must create an account on the Passport Seva website and fill out the application form for a fresh passport.
Fill in details such as:
Child’s full name
Date of birth
Place of birth
Parents’ details
Scan and upload all mandatory documents as per instructions.
The standard passport fee for a 36-page booklet (valid for 10 years) applies. However, passports for minors are generally issued with a validity of 5 years or until the child turns 18, whichever is earlier.
Book an appointment at the nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Regional Passport Office (RPO).
Parents must carry the newborn along with original documents. Biometric details of the infant are usually not taken, but photographs may be clicked at the PSK.
In most newborn cases, police verification is either post-issuance or waived if parents already hold valid passports.
Once documents are verified, the passport is printed and dispatched to the registered address.
The timeline depends on the type of application:
Normal Application: Usually takes 2–3 weeks from the date of application.
Tatkal Passport for Newborn: Under the Tatkal scheme, the passport can be issued in 1–3 working days, subject to document clearance.
Validity Period:
Passports for children under 18 years are valid for 5 years or until the child turns 18.
Tatkal Scheme for Infants:
Tatkal applications are accepted, but parents must ensure all required documents are complete.
Biometric Exemption:
Infants and toddlers are exempt from biometric data (fingerprints/iris scans).
Travel Consent:
In cases of single parents or guardians, additional documents such as Annexure C or G may be required.
Check Visa Rules: Some countries require both parents’ consent for a child’s visa application.
Carry Copies: Always keep photocopies of the baby’s passport during travel.
Name Consistency: Ensure the baby’s name is consistent across the birth certificate, passport, and visa.
Travel Insurance: Recommended for infants, as medical needs abroad can be expensive.
Plan in Advance: Apply for the passport well before booking tickets to avoid last-minute delays.
No. Every child, including newborns, must have their own passport to travel abroad.
No. Only parents or legal guardians can apply on behalf of the child.
No, Aadhaar is not mandatory for newborns. The birth certificate and parents’ Aadhaar or passports are sufficient.
Yes, Tatkal services are available if parents provide all required documents.
Parents can apply for passport renewal once the current passport expires.
To summarize, newborn babies do need a passport to travel abroad. The process is straightforward when parents are aware of the necessary documents and steps involved. With proper planning, even urgent travel with an infant can be managed efficiently using Tatkal passport services.
At smotpro.in, we provide all kinds of passport services including new passports, Tatkal passports, passport renewal, kids’ passports, and more. Our dedicated professionals work round the clock to ensure fast, reliable, and hassle-free assistance for all your passport needs.
Our Passport offices : Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bangalore, Vizag, and Hyderabad
