May’s first passport is due to arrive any day now. I can’t wait to receive it as it will allow her to travel abroad with us for the first time and, hopefully, ignite her love of exploring the world.
But, as with all baby firsts, applying for your child’s passport can be a confusing task. So, if you’re about to do it, here’s a quick blog post to guide you through the process…
What you’ll need
A passport form
There are several ways to get a passport form. If you have a printer, you can complete the form online then print out the declaration and send it to the Passport Office; you can pick one up from your local post office; you can order a form online; or you can order one by phoning the Passport Adviceline.
A photograph of your baby
May’s passport photograph
The rules for a baby’s passport photograph aren’t quite as strict as those for adults, but they do have to be in the normal passport format and your baby should be on their own in the photograph, without a dummy or any toys, lying on a cream or light grey background and be facing forward looking at the camera (they don’t have to have their eyes open).
Many photography companies offer a service to take these passport photos for you, but I found the easiest method was to lie May on a sheet at home and take pictures myself to be printed out in a shop. This meant she was completely comfortable while I was snapping away, and we didn’t have the pressure of her having to pose for a stranger.
Your child’s full birth certificate
You need to send the original copy of your baby’s full birth certificate with your passport application. This is the document that contains the full details of the baby and both parents. The passport guidance notes are slightly confusing here as the document actually says “Certified copy of an entry” at the top and not “birth certificate” as requested.
A countersignatory
You’ll need to get someone who has known you for at least two years to fill in part of your baby’s passport form and to sign the back of their photograph confirming that it is a picture of your child. This person must also be a “professional person” – for example, a teacher, an accountant or a police officer.
The passport fee
A child’s first passport currently costs £46 if you use the normal service and £54.75 if you use the Post Office’s Check and Send service.
What to be aware of
The normal timeframe
It usually takes three weeks for your child’s first passport to arrive – so order it well before their first holiday (May’s actually took five and a half weeks). If you have left the application until the last minute, you can pay £87 for the Fast Track service – which takes a week.
Check the form… then check it again
As the process can take three weeks from start to finish, it’s worth getting everything right in the first place. Before you send the form off, ask someone else to check it for you. I actually paid the extra for the Post Office’s Check and Send service as this includes Special Delivery postage – so it was only a pound or two more by the time postage was included.
Getting your documents back
If you want your child’s birth certificate back, don’t forget to tick the box for this on the form. You can pay extra to have this sent back securely.
Baby T's Travels 