sarasmiles08 t1_ja2jwel wrote on February 26, 2023 at 10:38 AM

I got my kids passports by the time they were two because sometimes opportunity pop up and the effort it takes to get a passport quickly (I’ve done it) is stress-inducing. But I’d be concerned if she’s not generally a traveler. Children don’t need an ID even to fly domestically so the only reason you need a passport is to leave the country or to just feel cool that you have one.
Other countries say you should carry a notarized letter from the other parent when traveling alone with a child but I was only once ever asked for it and that was in Canada.

brucebay t1_ja5hm6q wrote on February 27, 2023 at 12:02 AM

They rarely ask in US. Only once they asked one of my friends at the departure. I travel overseas frequently too. In most cases we have notarized letters. Once I left a letter overseas coming back, and that is the only time they asked me if I have permission to bring the kids back to US. I told them I had a letter but left it back overseas and they were cool with it.

blackmilksociety t1_ja63mpa wrote on February 27, 2023 at 2:54 AM

Yeah I had my first passport about 3 years old. I think a passport is one of those things you should just have on hand. Just like you said you ever know when an opportunity may come and I’ve had it happen to me several times throughout my life.

If OP discussed getting the passport I don’t see the big deal. Kids get excited about all sorts of stuff and their first passport is something new and exciting.