Baby Passport UK
Every baby needs their own British passport to travel abroad — they can't travel on a parent's. Here's what GOV.UK says about applying, photos and timelines, plus the health card and EU border checks that usually sit on the same trip.
Everything below comes from GOV.UK, the NHS and official EU travel sites, checked October 2026. Rules change, so check before you travel. Do not book travel until you have a valid passport.
Quick answers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does my baby need a passport? | Yes. Apply for a child passport if your child is under 16 (GOV.UK) |
| Who applies? | Someone with parental responsibility must apply. You need to give both parents' details, or say why you can't (GOV.UK) |
| How long is a child passport valid? | 5 years (GOV.UK) |
| Cost (standard) | £66.50 online; £80 with a paper form from the Post Office (GOV.UK) |
| How long does it usually take? | You'll usually get your passport within 3 weeks from when HM Passport Office receives your documents (HM Passport Office) |
| Urgent child passport? | 1 week Fast Track can be used for a child passport (£156.50). The 1 day Premium service is for renewing an adult passport only (GOV.UK) |
| Baby photo rules? | Under 1s can have eyes closed; you can support the head but your hand must not show; lie baby on a plain light sheet and photograph from above. No toys or dummies (GOV.UK) |
| GHIC for babies? | Yes — every family member needs their own free card. Add children when you apply (NHS) |
| EES fingerprints for under-12s? | Not scanned. A facial image may still be taken (EU EES FAQ; GOV.UK) |
Who needs a child passport
You apply for a child passport if your child is under 16. A child passport is valid for 5 years. There are different rules if you're applying from outside the UK (GOV.UK: get a child passport).
Someone with parental responsibility must apply. You need to give both parents' details when you apply. If you cannot provide the other parent's details, you need to say why (for example, you're the only parent named on the birth certificate, or you adopted the child on your own).
Your child must have British nationality to be eligible for a British passport (GOV.UK: first child passport).
What you should apply for
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Under 16, never had a British passport | Apply for a first child passport |
| Under 16, has a British passport | Renew the child passport |
| Under 16, passport lost, stolen or damaged | Apply to replace it |
| Under 16, details have changed | Apply for a new passport (you cannot renew) |
| Over 16 (or will be in 3 weeks) | Follow the adult passport process |
How to apply
Online (usually cheapest)
It costs £66.50. You'll need a digital photo of your child (or a device that takes digital photos), supporting documents, and a credit or debit card (GOV.UK: first child passport).
After you've paid and submitted a first-child application, you'll need to ask someone to confirm your child's identity. They get an email from HM Passport Office and confirm online — they do not need to sign a printed photo. For renewals, if your child is under 12 you'll also need someone to confirm identity online (GOV.UK: renew).
Start on GOV.UK: get a child passport.
By post
It costs £80. Get a paper form from a Post Office that offers Passport Check and Send, or ask the Passport Adviceline to post you one. Someone with parental responsibility must sign. Children aged 12 to 15 need to sign too. For a first child passport (and for under-12 renewals) a countersignatory must fill in section 10 and certify the photo (GOV.UK).
Supporting documents
You must send original documents or official copies of certificates. Photocopies are not accepted, even "certified copies". Documents not in English or Welsh need certified translations. Laminated documents aren't accepted (GOV.UK).
If you apply online, you'll be told what to provide. If you apply by post for a first child passport, GOV.UK says you must send: 2 new photos; the child's full birth or adoption certificate (with parents' details); proof of British nationality; any valid foreign passports belonging to the child; and any relevant court orders.
For renewals you'll need the child's old passport, any valid foreign passports (colour photocopies of every page or the physical passport), any court orders, and new photos (GOV.UK: renew).
Passport photos for babies and children
You must get a new photo when you get a new passport, even if appearance hasn't changed. The photo must have been taken in the last month. Digital photos for online applications must be clear, in colour, unaltered, at least 600×750 pixels, and between 50KB and 10MB (GOV.UK: passport photos).
Child-specific rules GOV.UK states:
- Children must be on their own in the picture. Babies must not hold toys or use dummies.
- Children under 6 do not have to look directly at the camera or have a plain expression.
- Children under one do not have to have their eyes open. You can support their head with your hand, but your hand must not be visible. Under-ones should lie on a plain light-coloured sheet; take the photo from above.
Photos from a booth or shop (with a code) are more likely to be approved than a phone photo taken during the application.
How long it takes
HM Passport Office says you'll usually get your passport within 3 weeks. It may take longer if they need more information or an interview — they'll tell you within 3 weeks. Processing time starts when they receive your documents. Do not book travel until you have a valid passport; the new passport will not have the same number as the old one (HM Passport Office).
If you need it sooner
- 1 week Fast Track: can be used to get a child passport. Earliest appointment is the next day after you apply; passport delivered by courier 1 week after the appointment. Child cost £156.50 (GOV.UK: urgent).
- 1 day Premium: renews an adult passport only (collect 4 hours after appointment). Not for child passports.
If you've already applied and haven't received the passport, don't pay for an urgent one — you won't get it sooner, and there's an admin fee for each additional application (GOV.UK).
When you need it for travel
Your child needs a valid passport to leave the UK and enter other countries. How much time must be left on the passport depends on the country you're visiting — check that country's entry requirements on GOV.UK. Time left on an old passport is not added to a new one. Burgundy or "European Union" cover child passports can still be used if they have enough time left (GOV.UK: renew).
For Eurostar and other short EU trips, every child — including lap babies — still needs their own passport. See Eurostar with a baby.
GHIC for babies and children
The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA), and some other places, on the same basis as a resident of that country. It has replaced the EHIC for most new applicants; an existing EHIC can be used until it expires (NHS).
Key points from the NHS:
- A UK GHIC is free and lasts for up to 5 years. Apply only through the NHS website.
- Every member of your family needs their own card, including children. You can add your spouse, civil partner and children when you apply.
- After approval, you should receive the card within 15 working days by post. If it hasn't arrived before you travel, you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC).
- A GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. The NHS advises private travel and medical insurance as well.
- It covers medically necessary state healthcare that can't reasonably wait until you return (including emergency treatment and routine care for pre-existing conditions). It does not cover repatriation, private treatment, or ski/mountain rescue.
Eligible UK residents who are ordinarily and legally resident, without EEA/Swiss healthcare cover, can apply. Full eligibility is on the NHS page.
EES (Entry/Exit System)
The EU Entry/Exit System registers non-EU nationals (including British nationals) on short stays at participating borders. GOV.UK says it started for UK and non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay from 12 October 2025. Registration is free; travellers do not need to take action before travelling. Checks happen at the border and may take slightly longer than before (GOV.UK news).
The official EU FAQ says the progressive rollout lasted until 9 April 2026, and from 10 April 2026 the EES is fully operational at all external border crossing points of the countries using the system (EU EES FAQ).
For families with babies:
- Fingerprints of children under 12 are not scanned, even when the child is covered by EES (EU EES FAQ; also EU Schengen IT glossary).
- GOV.UK states that all travellers, including babies, will be photographed and have digital records created (GOV.UK).
- EES is not required when travelling to Ireland and Cyprus, according to that GOV.UK campaign page.
On Eurostar, registration happens at border control at your departure station; arrive at the time on your ticket (Eurostar with a baby).
We are not stating ETIAS launch dates or requirements here. Check travel-europe.europa.eu closer to your trip.
Tips before you book
- Apply for the passport before you book flights or Eurostar.
- Take the baby photo on a plain sheet in good daylight; booth photos with a code often sail through.
- Apply for GHIC cards for the whole family in the same session.
- Build a little extra time into border queues while EES is in use.
Sources (checked October 2026)
- GOV.UK: get a child passport, first child passport, renew a child passport, passport photos, get a passport urgently, HM Passport Office processing times, EES campaign for British travellers
- NHS: UK GHIC / EHIC
- European Union: EES, EES FAQ, children / fingerprints
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