Traveling with children is chaotic—even locally. Taking all three of my kids to the grocery store requires military-level planning and a well-stocked diaper bag. But since travel is challenging no matter where we go, we decided to embrace the chaos and take our children international.
Why We Travel with Kids
I caught the travel bug in high school during a trip to Spain, then spent four years in Ireland for graduate school, exploring Europe and Asia. Those experiences shaped who I am today, and I want to give my children the same opportunity to discover different cultures and perspectives.
Of course, international travel means navigating government bureaucracy to get passports for Bug (5), Bean (2), and Beastie (2 months). The thought of bringing all three into a government facility to fill out applications, take photos, and somehow keep them quiet wasn't exactly my idea of fun.
But after completing the process, I learned how to make it as painless as possible. Here's what worked for us:
1. Bundle All Appointments Together
Book appointments for all your children on the same day, at the same time (or back-to-back if that's not possible). Both parents need to be present, so finding one hour when you're both available beats scheduling three separate 15-minute appointments across different days.
This approach has a hidden benefit: children under 16 get passports that last only five years. When you apply for all your kids on the same day, their passports are typically approved—and expire—on the same day. With my already-melted mom brain, the fewer renewal dates I need to remember, the better.
2. Choose a Location That Takes Photos
Many facilities offer passport photos on-site. While you can take your kids to Walmart or AAA for photos, adding another errand to your schedule means another opportunity for meltdowns and chaos. We got photos done during our appointment, and the whole process took an hour. No extra stops required.
3. Prepare Your Paperwork in Advance
For each child, you'll need:
- Passport application (DS-11) – Fill this out before your appointment. Scrambling to complete it while managing kids is a recipe for disaster.
- Certified copy of birth certificate (original)
- Photocopy of birth certificate
- Photocopy of mom's driver's license (front AND back)
- Photocopy of dad's driver's license (front AND back)
- Both parents' actual driver's licenses (bring them just in case)
Pro tip: When filling out hair and eye color for young children, choose whatever a reasonable person would observe. My 2-month-old's hazel eyes will likely change, and my 2-year-old's white-blonde hair probably won't stay that way. Don't overthink it.
You've Got This
Getting passports for young children doesn't have to be overwhelming. With a little preparation and strategic scheduling, you can knock out the whole process in one trip.
Now—where will your family explore first?