Applying for Travel Documents for your Kid

We just went through the process of applying for a passport, Global Entry, and Chinese Visa with our 6-month old son Noah. Here's everything you need to know for getting all these documents prepared for your newborn. And some bonus tips

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1) Apply for a Passport

Getting a passport is the first step to travel and other document. Overall it's pretty easy - the hardest part is probably taking a good photo. 

1. Go to the US government website and fill out a DS-11 form (and print it)

Form can be filled out online here - recommend you read through all of that since it'll have the most up to date information. 

Make sure you follow all the instructions like not printing double-sided. 

2. Prepare the below documents

• US Birth Certificate AND a photocopy

• BOTH parent's photo ID (driver's license or passport) with the same state address AND photocopies

• If you're unable to get these, look on the website for detailed steps

3. Take a photo

Some locations do have the ability to take the photo for you with an extra charge. Honestly it's not worth it, especially with a squirmy newborn. It took us forever to get Noah calm and staring at the camera to take a good picture. We ended up putting the sheet in the stroller and laying him on top so he'd be comfortable to take the picture. 

I suggest taking the picture at home - removing the background using any free tool out there and replace with a white background. Then print the photos you need at a local pharmacy. Recommend the website https://makepassportphoto.com/ for help. 

4. Bring a Debit Card or Check

To pay the $100 application fee and $35 acceptance fee (just for the Passport Book) you can't use cash or card, you'll need a check or money order. 

5. Book an Appointment

Use this link to help you find the nearest appointment. 

With that you should be good to go and receive the passport ~4-6 weeks!

3) Apply for a Chinese Visa

Not sure how many of you this will be relevant to, but here's what we did and issues we ran into while applying for Noah's Chinese Visa. 

1. Go to the Chinese Government COVA Application Website

Form can be filled out online here - it can take a while. At least for kids you can skip the employment history. 

I made a mistake and didn't include middle names in the Given Name, so I had to redo my entire application. 

2. Prepare the below documents

• Current Passport AND photocopy

• Where you stay form

• BOTH parent's passport photocopy

• At least one parent's Driver's License

• Birth certificate photocopy

• Proof of citizenship if one parent was naturalized or a green card holder

• The printed out form, signed

3. Walk In

Living outside of DC, it was easy for me to drive in and walk-in. I waited for around 40 minutes while people ahead of me were getting taken care of. My process was relatively smooth. I did forget one document for Noah - the mom's proof of citizenship, but fortunately Sarah was able to send a quick picture over email to the embassy. 

4. Come back to pay and pick up

It takes around 3-4 days for the visas to be processed, so I had to return to DC the following week to pay and pick up the visas. This was a much faster process.