When should children get passports?

[A Newfie And A Yank]

When should children get passports or is it just appropriate for them to wait till they are older then in their teens to get them for cruising in the states. My Granddaughter is 8yo now and we want to take her on more adventures to other countries in the future beside Canada. Thanks for the advice in advance.

[SpeedNoodles]

Now would be a perfect time.

[DoomSlayer]

Assuming you are asking about US passports.
 

It’s up to the parents.  There is no requirement for them to have passports if they don’t go beyond the north western hemisphere or travel internationally by air.  US children (Under 16) can enter Canada, Mexico, and most countries in the north western hemisphere with only their birth certificates as long as it is land or water crossings.

You will find a lot of opinions here I am sure one way or the other. I have traveled with my younger children using only birth certificates with no issues. Just realize if you are in a foreign country on a cruise and have an emergency requiring you to fly home, you will have to apply for an emergency one way passport from the US consulate or embassy before you can fly home.

[smokeybandit]

My son had his first passport at age 2.

[DoomSlayer]

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

My son had his first passport at age 2.

That works when both parents agree and sign the passport application, but there are times when parents (usually divorced or unwed) don't agree or refuse to allow the child to have a passport.  Courts can intervene and one verdict from the court can be that a parent can travel out to a nearby country but not have a passport which would not allow travel beyond that.

[ckruetze]

For our daughters we applied for them after birth (next week or so). The oldest one traveled internationally (by airplane) at about 3 month after her birth.

But we live in Europe, so while we can travel to lot's of countries without showing a passport, you have to have it on you if you travel.

[ChessE4]

While you are at it, it's good to have a duplicate official birth certificate in case original is lost. Consider ordering that.

[ScooterScott22]

11 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

My son had his first passport at age 2.

Our son's first passport was around this time also.  The only drawback to having one when they are younger is they have to renew more frequently.  It was much easier to have it done and just renew moving forward rather than worry about what documents were needed for travel.  Granted he is still not driving age and is well traveled already.

[twangster]

Newfies don't need passports to visit the rest of Canada.  

[Bowen]

Our kids got them at the same time, so 2 and 5. When they are that young you have to renew every five years. We’re waiting to renew a couple more months so the oldest will be 16, which is the ten year renewal age. It’s easy to do and even our tiny town has a passport post office location. I feel much more secure than when I would bring them with their birth certificates.

[Sharla]

My child got her first passport for her first cruise at 6 months old. I didn't want to risk anything happening and she wouldn't be able to get back home. I always have active passports for all of us. For me, peace of mind is well worth it.

[Traveling Mike]

I am like everyone else, get them now.  You can do without them until there is an issue.  Just think about this, you have an issue while in the Caribbean.  You have to fly home because of medical issues.  Your grandchild that is with you does not have a passport and cannot fly back with you.  What do you do?  I always plan for the worst and hope for the best.

[FireFishII]

I got my first one when I was 15 years old.  Why, because it was 1976 - and they used special paper that year.  My father thought it would be a good memento of the bicentennial.  I still have it. 

[Blulady]

I agree with everyone else, get the passport now. Children's passports need to be renewed every 5 years.  I view it the same as a bank account - it is just one of those things you can set your child up with that they will carry forward into adulthood.

[CruzOnBye]

We got our son's when he was 6. He is 7 now and we took him on his first cruise last month. He was so proud to hand his passport to the folks in the terminal and tell them how we "tricked" him because we told him we were just staying in a hotel, but instead we surprised him with a 3 nighter cruise. He didn't "need" his passport for the cruise we went on, but like others have mentioned, it's a peace of mind and another form of ID for his future.