How To Get A Passport For Your Child
How To Get A Passport For Your Child
Even newborns need a passport to get in and out of the country. In order to make sure your holiday goes as smoothly as possible, we would advise you to arrange your child’s passport at least 2 months before you travel. In this article, we’re going to give you tips on how to get a passport for your child.
Firstly, your child must have a UK citizenship or dual citizenship to be eligible for a British passport. You must have parental responsibility in order to apply on their behalf.
You can apply online for a UK passport for your child.
You will need:
- a digital photo of your child (or a device that takes digital photos)
- original birth certificate or adoption certificate with a parent’s details on it
- proof that your child has British nationality (for example a British registration certificate, parent’s passport details or parent’s birth certificates)
- any court orders (for example, that describe parental responsibility or residency arrangements)
- any valid passports from a different country belonging to the child a credit or debit card
As of 2019, you will need to pay £49 during the online application and wait approximately 3 weeks to get the passport.
If you can’t apply online for your baby’s first passport, you can ask for an application form from any Post Office and apply via post.
Signatures you should have on the application
If your child is between 12 to 15 years old, they will need to sign the form as well as you. All documents need to be in either English or Welsh or have certified translations with the originals.
Your application form will also need to be countersigned by someone who has known you for at least 2 years, is able to identify you (they can be a friend, neighbour or a colleague but not a relative) and they must be ‘a person of good standing in their community’ or work in (or be retired from) a recognised profession (i.e a teacher, doctor or lawyer).
They must have a British, Irish or other EU, US or Commonwealth passport and they must provide their passport number. The counter-signatory also needs to write on the back of one of the photos "I certify that this is a true likeness of [your baby's name]."
After you submit your documents, you will be able to track your application online. You can pay extra for a fast track delivery if you need your child’s passport immediately.
Children under 16 years will only be able to get a 5-year passport.
How to get your child’s passport photo taken
The best way to get a correctly formatted passport photo taken of your child is to take him or her to a local photographer or a photo lab (i.e Snappy Snaps). If you want to take the photos yourself, use a digital camera and a converter service to make them into passport photos.
However, we would advise you to work with a professional especially if you are trying to take photos of your baby. The photos need to be the right quality, correctly focused and formatted, and if your child’s photo doesn’t match the requirements, your application would be refused.
Travelling to Turkey from the UK with your child
If you are travelling to Turkey from the UK and your child doesn’t have a Turkish passport but has a British passport, you can apply for a Turkish ID at the Turkish Consulate General in London or Edinburgh, which would allow them to enter Turkey without a Turkish passport.
Here are the documents you need to apply for a Turkish ID for your child:
- Birth certificate with parents’ names
- Marriage certificate and parents’ ID cards
- 1 biometric photo taken in the past 6 months (if you want to have your child’s picture on their ID)
- Letter of parental consent
- ID fees (£6)
Safe travels!
Don’t forget to book your holidays with Right Holidays to receive all the support you need to plan the perfect holiday.
Featured
10 Things Avid Travel Planners Do
Details
Best UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey
Details
Turkey Public Holidays Guide to Avoid Peak Travel Times
Details
List of Countries on the Travel Corridor in October
Details
Top Destinations in Cyprus for a Late Summer Trip
Details
Top 10 Outdoor Activities in Turkey
Details