New passport rules for children under 15 have changed the validity period of their passports. A passport issued to a child below 15 years of age will be valid for five years or until the child turns 18, whichever comes earlier.
This means parents planning to apply for a passport for their child should carefully check the child’s age and the validity period before applying.
Child Passport Validity Explained
Under the new rules, a child’s passport can have a maximum validity of five years. However, the passport will not remain valid beyond the child’s 18th birthday.
For example, if a passport is issued when a child is 14 years old, the passport may be valid for five years under the normal rule. However, its validity will end when the child turns 18.
For younger children, the five-year validity period can generally be completed before they reach 18. The exact validity will depend on the child’s age when the passport is issued.
Children Will Get 36 Page Passports
Changes have also been made to the passport format for children. Children will now receive a standard 36-page passport.
These pages can be used for visa-related requirements and foreign travel stamps, similar to the passport format used for regular travel.
Check Child Details Before Applying
Parents should carefully check all information entered in the passport application. The child’s name, date of birth and parental details should be entered correctly.
Any mistake in these details can create problems during the passport application or later travel-related processes. Parents should therefore verify the information and documents before submitting the application.
The passport fee structure has also changed. The amount payable can depend on the type of passport and the application.
Parents should check the latest fee details on the official passport portal before submitting an application, as the applicable charges may vary.