International passport for a child: how to apply and how much does it cost in 2026?

In 2026, the cost of obtaining a passport for a child increased, and the list of documents was supplemented with a new mandatory requirement. Find out all the current conditions: where to apply step by step, what to prepare and how long to wait for the finished document

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A passport can be issued to a child of any age – even a newborn, but the procedure has certain nuances and features. What is the procedure for issuing a child’s passport in 2026, how much it costs and what documents are required – we will tell you further in the material.

Updated rules for crossing the border with a child in 2026 and the required documents are here.

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How long is a passport valid for a child?

Issuance of a passport is available for children from birth, but the validity period of such a document differs:

- Children from birth and up to 16 years old can issue this document only for 4 years.

- For Ukrainians aged 16 and over, the validity period of the document will already be 10 years.

Where to apply for a passport for a child?

You can issue a child’s passport in 2026 at:

- Territorial bodies and divisions of the State Migration Service of Ukraine;

- Separate divisions of the state enterprise “Dokument”;

- In the Central Administrative Centers.

If the child is abroad, documents can be submitted at the consulates or embassies of Ukraine. Read in detail about the features of issuing a passport outside Ukraine in this material.

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How to sign up for submitting documents to obtain a passport for a child?

For convenience, citizens can use the electronic queue for issuing a passport. This allows you to enter information about the applicant in advance and choose a specific time to visit the service, which reduces the time of a personal visit. You can sign up:

- Through the portal of the State Migration Service of Ukraine.

However, during martial law, the service operates ONLY IN CERTAIN REGIONS for issuing a passport of a citizen of Ukraine in the form of an ID card and a passport of a citizen of Ukraine for traveling abroad. Also, registration in the electronic queue may not be available in certain divisions. Registration of documents for citizens of Ukraine in working units that are not in the service is carried out in a "live queue" manner.

- On the website of the State Enterprise "Dokument".

Documents required for registration of a foreign passport for a child

1. Original birth certificate.

- If the birth certificate was issued by the DRACS of Ukraine (or by the consulate of Ukraine abroad), and both parents were citizens of Ukraine at the time of birth and this is indicated in the certificate - the original birth certificate is sufficient.

- If one of the parents did not have Ukrainian citizenship at the time of the child's birth, it is necessary to additionally submit a certificate of registration of the person as a citizen of Ukraine. It is issued at the State Migration Service at the place of residence of one of the parents or at the consular office of Ukraine in the country of birth of the child. During the first registration of a passport for a citizen of Ukraine, such a certificate is withdrawn.

- If the birth certificate is issued by foreign authorities, it may require legalization or an apostille, as well as a notarized translation into Ukrainian.

- In cases where the birth certificate is issued by authorities in territories that Ukraine does not recognize (in particular, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea as part of the Russian Federation, the Autonomous Republic of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblast, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, etc.), it may be necessary to establish the fact of birth through a court and subsequently apply for Ukrainian citizenship.

2. Passport of a citizen of Ukraine in ID card format - for persons who have already reached the age of 14.

3. Registration number of the taxpayer's registration card (TIN) - if it has already been issued.

4. Documents certifying the identity of the legal representative, as well as a document confirming his powers (if the representative is not one of the parents). An application from one of the parents is also issued on the spot. It is imperative to have the original passports of the parents. If the mother's or father's surname, first name, or patronymic differs from the data on the child's birth certificate, additional documents are submitted confirming the change in personal data - for example, a certificate of marriage, divorce, or change of surname.

5. All previously issued international passports or travel documents of the child - both valid and invalid, including those issued under a different surname (if any).

6. Documents confirming payment of the administrative fee or confirmation of the right to exemption from payment. Usually, payment can be made directly on site through the terminal.

7. If the applicant wishes to change the standard transliteration of the name or surname, it is necessary to submit documents confirming this: previously issued passports, foreign birth or name change documents, legalized in accordance with the requirements of the law, etc.

Find the answer to the question of whether a father's permission is required for my child to travel abroad in 2026 in this article.

Do I need a TIN to apply for a foreign passport for a child?

In 2026, Ukraine changed the rules for applying for foreign passports. From now on, the presence of a registration number of a taxpayer registration card (TIN) is a mandatory condition for most citizens.

Who does not need a TIN when applying for a passport?

There are only two exceptions when a tax number is not required:

- When applying for a passport for newborn children;

- For citizens who have officially refused a TIN due to religious beliefs and have notified the regulatory authorities in Ukraine in advance.

For all other applicants, the absence of a tax number means the impossibility of applying for a document.

How to apply for a TIN for a child abroad was described in this material.

Photo of a child for a passport Ukraine

All children can be photographed directly during the application process.

If it is difficult for a child under 12 years old to be photographed calmly - for example, he is afraid of the flash, cannot sit still for a few seconds, closes his eyes or is very worried during the shooting - parents can take a photo in advance in a professional photo studio.

In this case, you must submit one photo measuring 10×15 cm. The photo must meet the following requirements:

- The face occupies about 70% of the image;

- The contours of the face are clearly visible;

- White monochromatic background;

- Matte photo paper of good quality;

- There are no defects or damage to the image.

Important! For children from 12 years old, the photo is taken exclusively at the place of submission of documents.

Does the child need to be present when applying for a passport?

- The presence of children under 12 years old is not mandatory when submitting documents.

- From the age of 12, the child's presence is mandatory, both when applying for and issuing documents.

How much does it cost to apply for a Ukrainian passport for a child?

From January 1, 2026, the cost of applying for passport documents for citizens of Ukraine has changed, from now on:

- In the usual mode - 1147 hryvnias;

- In urgent – ​​1787 hryvnias.

Important! If you submit an application through the State Enterprise “Dokument”, additional service fees of the enterprise – 650 hryvnias are paid.

How much does it cost to issue a passport for traveling abroad?

Terms of issuing a passport in Ukraine:

- Standard (regular mode) – up to 20 working days;

- Accelerated procedure (urgent) – up to 7 working days.

How to check the status of passport issuance?

After submitting documents, you can track the status of passport production online through the website of the State Migration Service.

To do this, you need to indicate for whom the document was issued (for an adult or a child), and enter the passport data of the citizen of Ukraine on the basis of which the issuance was carried out.

Who can get a ready-made passport for a child?

According to the current rules, the ready-made passport can be picked up ONLY by the legal representative of the child who submitted the documents. That is, if the application was made by the mother, then only she can pick it up, not the father. Another person can get the document only on the basis of a power of attorney (issued in accordance with the established procedure).

A child can get his or her own passport only after reaching the age of 16.

What is needed to get a ready-made passport for a child?

To get it, you must provide a passport of a citizen of Ukraine (to the applicant) or a passport of a citizen of Ukraine together with a power of attorney (to a third party).

Is it possible to have two valid passports?

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, each citizen of Ukraine can have no more than two valid passports at the same time. If a person applies for a new passport, but the previous document is still valid, he or she has the right to keep the old passport.

Applying for a passport for a child in 2026 remains an accessible procedure for Ukrainian families both in Ukraine and abroad. At the same time, parents should check the list of documents in advance, clarify the photo requirements and pay attention to the new rules regarding TIN, because it is precisely the lack of documents that most often causes delays in submitting an application. Families who are applying for a passport for a child for the first time or who gave birth to a child outside of Ukraine should be especially careful.

Early registration in the electronic queue, preparation of original documents and correct registration of the birth certificate will help significantly reduce the processing time and avoid additional costs.

Are you planning to apply for documents for a child, move abroad or obtain a new migration status?

A migration lawyer will help you avoid mistakes when preparing documents, explain the current requirements of different countries and accompany you at every stage of the procedure. Professional support is especially important in cases of visas, residence permits, citizenship or resolving complex issues with documents abroad. A specialist will also help you assess possible risks and find the best solution for your situation.

Contact us now to save time, avoid refusals and confidently go through all migration procedures!

Reminder! Traveling around Europe can be much cheaper if you avoid typical tourist mistakes. Read here how to save on food, transport, museums and excursions in the EU without losing comfort and impressions from the trip.

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