Step-by-Step Guide to Get a Baby Passport in Singapore

Whether you’re planning an overseas family holiday or need it for other travel-related reasons, securing a passport for your child is essential. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from the necessary documents to the application process, ensuring a hassle-free experience for you and your baby.

Is My Baby Eligible to Apply for a Singaporean Passport?

If either or both parents are Singaporean citizens and the child was born in Singapore, the child is eligible for a passport. Additionally, children born outside of Singapore can also qualify, provided at least one parent holds Singaporean citizenship at the time of the child’s birth.

What Documents Are Required for Baby Passport Application?

If you are applying for a passport for your newborn baby, it’s necessary to prepare all the necessary documents beforehand:

• Proof of the kid’s Singaporean citizenship including ID Card Number, Birth Certificate Number, or Citizenship Certificate Number (any one of these documents).
• The kid’s passport expiry date (required for passport renewal).
• The kid’s 35×45 mm passport photo (taken within the last three months).

• ID card of the parents.

How to Apply Passport for a Newborn Baby in Singapore

It is getting more and more convenient to apply for Singaporean baby passports. Online and post applications are both available for residents. Now let’s see how to achieve it.

Apply for Baby Passports in Singapore Online

Applying for a baby passport online is the first choice for parents as it saves time and energy. Here’s how:

• Go to the ICA official website and choose the “Apply for Passport” service.

• Login and verify your identity with Singpass. Please download the Singpass app from the official app stores like Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Make sure you choose the app developed by “Government Technology Agency” before downloading it in case of fraud.

• Select a current passport applicant or add a new one.

• Select a reason for application.

• Upload the required documents we have stated before and fill in the forms by following the instructions on the website. Don’t worry, there would examples as references.

• Input your contact details to receive the new passport.

• Fulfill payment and then wait for the preparation of the baby’s passport. You can also enquire application status on the website.

Apply for Baby Passports in Singapore by Post/Deposit Box

• Download and fill in the form APPLICATION FOR SINGAPORE BIOMETRIC PASSPORT.

• Post the application form to any of the following offices: Passport Unit/Citizen Services Centre/ICA Building/10 Kallang Road, Level 2/Singapore 208718.
• Additionally, applicants could also drop the form in the deposit box at Level 1, ICA Building. The deposit box is only available from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 12:30 pm on Saturdays. Don’t do that on Sundays and public holidays.
• Fulfill payment and wait for the reply from ICA.

How Much Does Newborn Passport Application Cost?

The Singapore Government introduced a waiver for the first passport application fee for citizens born on or after January 1, 2020, as part of a marriage and parenthood package. The eligibility criteria have been revised to include applications for children born in 2019, as long as the application is submitted before their first birthday. Starting January 1, 2020, parents will receive an electronic notification about the fee waiver through MyICA, making it easier to apply for their child’s passport online without paying the fee.

However, if your kid doesn’t qualify for the passport application fee waiver program, then you will need to pay for the passport application fee. Check the chart below:

How to Pay for Online Passport Applications

You can fulfill payment through the following methods:

• PayNow
• American Express (AMEX) credit card
• Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card
• Internet banking accounts (banks in Singapore)

How to Pay for Post or Deposit Box Passport Applications

You can fulfill payment through the following methods:

• American Express (AMEX) credit card
• Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card

How Long Will I Receive the New Passport

For local applications, the passport processing time is typically 1-2 weeks, while overseas applications take around 4-6 weeks, provided all documents meet the requirements. You will be notified of the outcome by email or post, with successful overseas applications sent to the chosen Singapore Overseas Mission.

How to Check Passport Application Status

Check Singaporean Passport Application Status Online

You can log in to MyICA and check. Remember to provide information like Birth Certificate Number or the Child’s Date of Birth.

Check Singaporean Passport Application Status by Post/Deposit box

Go to the MyICA website. “In Process” means the application is under processing.  Once it changes to “Ready for Collection”, you will receive a pink notification card.

If you don’t use any tool to check compliance (as we stated above) before submitting, there are chances that your photo will be rejected and receive a rejection letter. In this case, please check do’s and don’ts when taking a Singaporean passport photo and attach a new hardcopy photo to the letter or submit it again in the ICA offices in person.

How to Take Baby Passport Photos at Home

Taking a baby passport photo at home can be fast and convenient, especially if your baby is still young. Capturing a baby passport photo at home might seem challenging, but it can be easy with the right preparation. Here, we’ll guide you through the process of taking a clear, compliant photo of your baby’s passport without leaving home.

Understand Baby Passport Photos Requirements in the Singapore

Before taking a baby’s passport photo at home, learning official requirements is necessary. An unqualified baby passport photo is usually one of the common reasons that result in rejection. The Singapore passport photo requirements as follows:

• Photo size: 35mm(width) x 45mm (height).
• Background color: white.
• The photo must be taken within the last 3 months. 
• The photo must be colored and clear. 
• Make sure the baby’s full face and shoulders are visible. Don’t capture other persons or distracted items besides the baby itself. 
• Let the child should look forward. 
• Make sure the eyes are open and the mouth closed. Newborns are allowed to leave their mouths open. 
• Keep a neutral expression. No laughing, crying, or sticking out tongue.
• The face and the background should be evenly lit in case of shadows or glares.
• Don’t wear any headgear except for religious or racial reasons.
• Don’t wear accessories that cover the babies’ faces like glasses, nipples, hoods, scarves, etc.
• Keep the dressing plain and simple. A soft and skin-friendly shirt in solid color except white is recommended. Don’t wear outfits with dramatic styling, sequins, beads, and exaggerated patterns.

For online applications, you have to pay attention to the quality of digital versions:

• Dimension: 400X514 pixels.
• Image format: jpg, jpeg or png;
• File size: ≤2 MB;

Adjust position

Lay the baby down on the bed, in the rocker or bouncer. Just make sure that the position is suitable for the infant and take a high-angle shot. Only when he/she feels comfortable will the whole process go smoothly. Don’t stick too precisely to the background color if you can’t find one because we will introduce a passport photo editor to you to address the background issues.

Make use of natural daylight

Studios tend to project flashlights or strong illuminating lamps on the subject while taking portrait photos. However, this kind of lighting might harm the infants’ eyes and make them feel uneasy. Therefore, try to take the shot on a sunny daytime when your little one cheers up and actively coordinates with you. 

Interact with babies 

Infants are usually emotional and it is hard for them to stay focused for a long time because they have no idea about what’s going on. Please make sure he/she is feeling well and in a happy mood before starting. Try to interact with them with their favorite toys or snacks which can not only comfort them but also attract their attention to the camera. Pay attention not to amuse them too much in case of exaggerated facial expressions.

Use a permitted passport photo tool

It rarely comes across a perfect moment with a nice day, proper lighting and a happy mood to take a baby passport photo. We all want the photo to be approved for first-time applications. Checking the photo quality in advance would reduce the chance of going over the procedure again and again and that’s what AiPassportPhotos does. 

AiPassportPhotos is an online baby passport photo maker, aiming to solve problems like compliance, size and background. You only need to upload the targeted photo and the AI-supported scanner will detect the biometric features, adjust to the required size and convert to white the background.

A standard image would be made within seconds. Click “Free Download” to download the baby’s passport picture for free. The website offers you two versions for various uses.

FAQ

When can I apply passport for my newborn?

You can apply for your newborn’s passport as soon as their birth is registered and they have a birth certificate. In Singapore, it’s recommended to apply early if you plan to travel, as the processing time may take up to 1-2 weeks locally. If your child is eligible, you can also benefit from the waiver of the first passport application fee if the application is made before their first birthday.

Can a baby travel without a passport?

No, a baby cannot travel internationally without a passport. Just like adults, babies require a valid passport to leave and re-enter Singapore. Even if the baby is traveling with their parents, each child must have their own passport to comply with immigration and airline regulations.

How often do I need to renew the Singapore baby passport?

There is a 5-year validity for baby passports and 10-year validity for those 16 years old. You may renew the passport 1-2 months beforehand.

What are the advantages of taking a baby passport photo in Singapore by myself?

There are many places where you can take Singaporean passport photos. Compared with taking newborns out for photographs, there are two major strengths:

• Babies will feel at ease in familiar surroundings with their parents’ company.
• Save more time and money than visiting photo booths or studios.

Can I beautify the baby passport photo with Photoshop?

No. A beautified photo would be possibly rejected. Any photo retouching software including Photoshop is not allowed, but you can use professional passport photo makers like AiPassportPhotos, to resize your picture to standard Singapore passport photo size.

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide would address all your dilemmas to apply for a baby passport in Singapore. All you want is a happy family trip. Don’t let it bother your travel plan. Although it might be a little troublesome to make full preparation, it deserves careful reading so as to reduce the possibility of being rejected to the largest extent.