International Travel With a Baby
Your baby needs a U.S. passport, and getting one for a child under 16 means both parents apply in person and consent. Then check the CDC destination page for required vaccines about four to six weeks ahead, and carry a notarized consent letter if one parent or another adult is traveling with the child. A baby is a separate traveler with separate paperwork. Below is the document checklist and the health steps.
Start with the passport, because it takes the longest
Every U.S. citizen needs a passport to fly internationally, including a newborn. The rules for children under 16 are stricter than for adults, and the U.S. Department of State requires that both parents or guardians appear in person and consent before a child's passport can be issued. You apply using Form DS-11, in person, with the child present, at an acceptance facility. You cannot renew a child's passport by mail.
If one parent cannot attend, that parent must complete a notarized Statement of Consent (Form DS-3053) for the other to apply. A sole parent or guardian provides proof, such as a birth certificate or court order naming only one parent. Bring evidence of the child's U.S. citizenship (an original or certified birth certificate, paper only), proof of your relationship to the child, a photo ID for each parent, and one recent color passport photo. A child's passport is valid for five years, half the adult term, so check the expiration well before any trip.
Documents checklist for a baby's international trip
| Document | When you need it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Child's U.S. passport | Always, for international air travel | Apply early; under-16 passports are valid 5 years |
| Form DS-11 + citizenship evidence | When applying for the passport | Original/certified birth certificate, paper only |
| Both parents present, or Form DS-3053 | When applying for the passport | Notarized consent if one parent cannot appear |
| Destination visa | Destination-dependent | Some countries require a visa even for infants |
| Notarized consent letter | When one parent or a non-parent travels with the child | Recommended by CBP; see the wording below |
| Copy of birth certificate | Recommended | Shows the parent-child relationship at the border |
| Proof of required vaccinations | Destination-dependent | Some countries require specific vaccine proof |
| Travel insurance + medication list | Recommended | Include any prescriptions in original containers |
The consent letter when one parent travels
When a child travels internationally with only one parent, with a guardian, or with another adult, U.S. Customs and Border Protection recommends carrying a notarized letter of consent from the parent or parents who are not traveling. It helps border officers confirm the trip is authorized and can prevent delays leaving or re-entering the country. Some destination countries require it outright.
USAGov, citing CBP guidance, suggests the letter be in English and notarized, and offers wording you can adapt: "I acknowledge that my child is traveling outside the country with [name of the adult] with my permission." If the child is traveling with one parent, the letter comes from the other parent; if with a guardian or alone, both parents should sign. A parent with sole custody should also carry a copy of the custody document.
Check the destination for health requirements
Health prep is destination-specific, so start at the CDC Travelers' Health Destinations tool, which lists recommended and required vaccines and medicines for each country. The CDC advises seeing your healthcare provider or a travel medicine specialist at least four to six weeks before you leave, which gives vaccines time to take effect and lets you start any medicine you need (the CDC's family page phrases the lead time as at least one month). Make sure your child is up to date on all routine vaccines first.
Not every travel vaccine can be given to a young infant, and minimum ages apply, so a travel medicine clinic can tell you what your baby can and cannot receive. One common exception: for international travel, the CDC recommends an early dose of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) for infants 6 to 11 months old, with the routine two doses still given on schedule at 12 months and later, separated by at least 28 days. Measles spreads easily in many destinations, which is why this early dose exists.
A medical kit for traveling abroad with a baby
Pack a travel health kit so a minor problem does not derail the trip:
- Infant or children's pain and fever reducer with a dosing syringe or cup
- Oral rehydration salts for diarrhea or vomiting
- Digital thermometer, bandages, and any antiseptic
- Saline drops, diaper cream, and insect repellent and sunscreen suitable for the child's age
- Enough of every prescription medication for the whole trip plus spare days, in original labeled containers
- A short written list of your child's medications, doses, allergies, and your pediatrician's contact
Talk to a clinician before you travel if
- You are pregnant or traveling with a pregnant family member to an area with an active Zika travel notice, the CDC advises avoiding travel to those areas while pregnant
- Your destination has a CDC vaccine or medication recommendation your baby may be too young to receive
- Your infant is under 6 months and you are traveling to an area with measles risk, ask about the timing of protection
- Your child has a chronic condition, ask for a refill buffer, a medication letter, and a plan for care abroad
- You are unsure whether your destination requires a visa or vaccine proof for an infant, confirm before booking
Reflects U.S. State Department passport rules, CBP/USAGov consent-letter guidance, and CDC travelers' health and MMR guidance, 2024-2026.
Related questions
- Does a baby need a passport to travel internationally?
- Yes. Every U.S. citizen, including a newborn, needs a passport for international air travel. Apply in person with Form DS-11, with the child present and evidence of U.S. citizenship. A child's passport is valid for five years. Apply early, because processing time plus the appointment can take weeks.
- Do both parents have to be there to get a child's passport?
- For a child under 16, both parents or guardians must consent. They can appear together in person, or the absent parent can submit a notarized Statement of Consent (Form DS-3053). A sole parent provides proof, such as a birth certificate or court order naming only one parent. There is no mail renewal for children.
- Do I need a consent letter to travel abroad with my child without the other parent?
- CBP recommends it. When one parent, a guardian, or another adult travels internationally with a child, carry a notarized letter from the non-traveling parent or parents giving permission, and some countries require it. A suggested line is: "I acknowledge that my child is traveling outside the country with [name] with my permission."
- When should I see a doctor before international travel with a baby?
- The CDC advises a visit at least four to six weeks before departure (its family page says at least one month). That allows time for vaccines to work and for any needed medicine. Check the CDC destination page first, and confirm your child is current on routine vaccines.
Sources & further reading
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App Store Google Play Open Web AppThis article reflects current AAP, CDC, FDA, and other public-health guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your pediatrician. For any medical concern, contact your healthcare provider.