Child passport rules have changed for children under 15 years of age. Under the new rules, a passport issued to a child below 15 will be valid for five years or until the child turns 18, whichever comes earlier.
This means parents applying for a passport for their child need to consider the child’s age at the time of application. The passport will not remain valid beyond the child’s 18th birthday.
Passport Validity for Children
The new rule sets the maximum validity of a child’s passport at five years. However, the passport will expire when the child turns 18 if that happens before the five-year period is completed.
For example, if a passport is issued when a child is 14 years old, the five-year period would normally extend beyond the child’s 18th birthday. In this case, the passport will remain valid only until the child turns 18.
For younger children, the passport can remain valid for the full five-year period if the child does not reach the age of 18 during that period.
Child Passport Will Have 36 Pages
The passport format for children has also been changed. Children will now receive a standard 36-page passport.
These pages can be used for visa and foreign travel stamps, similar to a regular passport. Parents should therefore check the passport details carefully after receiving the document.
Check Details and Passport Fees
Parents applying for a child’s passport should make sure that all information in the application is correct. The child’s name, date of birth and parental details should be checked carefully to avoid errors.
Changes have also been made to the passport fee structure. The applicable fee can vary depending on the type of passport and application.
Parents should check the latest fee details on the official passport portal before submitting an application. This can help avoid confusion or problems during the application process.
The updated child passport rules are particularly important for parents planning international travel with children, as passport validity and document details can affect travel planning.
