Somewhere between feeds, diaper changes, and trying to remember when you last slept, someone casually asks —
“Have you applied for the baby’s passport yet?”
And just like that, it feels like another thing to figure out.
If you’re wondering whether a newborn even needs a passport, how complicated it is, or whether this is something you can do later — you’re not alone. Most parents only look this up when travel comes up, or when a form unexpectedly asks for it.
Here’s what the process actually looks like, minus the stress.
Do Newborns Really Need a Passport?
Yes — and no minimum age applies.
In India, a passport can be issued right from birth. It’s called a minor passport and is linked to the parents’ details. Many families apply early so they don’t have to rush later — especially if travel, visas, or international documentation might come up.
That said, this is not an emergency task unless you have upcoming plans. It’s okay to do it when things settle a bit.
What You’ll Need (Keep This Simple)
This part sounds intimidating online, but in reality, it’s mostly documents you already have.
You’ll need:
- Your baby’s birth certificate (with the final name)
- Parents’ passports
- Address proof (usually already covered by the parents’ documents)
- A parent declaration form (commonly called Annexure D)
While Aadhaar is not mandatory for a newborn passport, many parents choose to apply for it separately. If you’re planning that too, this guide on Aadhaar card for newborns explains when and how to apply.
If one parent doesn’t have a passport yet, the application can still move forward — it just involves an additional declaration.
How the Application Actually Happens
Once the birth certificate is ready, you apply online through the official Passport Seva website under Fresh Passport → Minor.
You’ll book an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office PSK.
On the day:
- The baby comes with you
- Documents are checked
- A photo is taken (they’re very used to wiggly babies)
- Parents’ biometrics are done
That’s usually the longest part — and even that is fairly quick.
About the Baby’s Passport Photo (Don’t Overthink This)
This worries most parents more than it should.
The rules are simple:
- Light background
- Baby’s face visible
- Eyes open (as much as possible)
No toys, no hands in the frame — but perfection is not expected. If you’ve ever seen infant passport photos, you know they’re forgiving.
A tip many parents swear by: dress your baby in slightly darker clothes so the face stands out.
Police Verification: Will It Happen?
In many cases, if both parents have valid passports with the same address, police verification may be waived or done smoothly after submission.
If it does happen, it’s usually a quick address check — nothing elaborate.
How Long Does It Take?
For most families:
- Without police verification: about a week
- With verification: a few weeks, depending on the city
The passport is delivered home once approved.
A Few Things Parents Often Ask
Can we apply if the baby is just a few weeks old?
Yes — as soon as the birth certificate is issued.
Do both parents need to be present?
Ideally, yes. If not, there are declaration options — but planning for both makes it smoother.
What if we want to change the baby’s name later?
It’s better to finalise the name before applying. Name changes mean re-issuance.
One Honest Thought Before You Apply
Early parenthood already comes with invisible pressure to “get everything done”.
A passport doesn’t define how prepared you are. It’s just paperwork — and paperwork can wait until you feel ready.
Do it when your energy allows. Calm parents make calm processes.
One Less Thing to Worry About
Early parenthood comes with enough decisions and doubts. This doesn’t need to be one of them. If you have these basics ready, you’re good to go. Everything else can wait, and that’s okay.