Planning that dream family trip to Australia? You'll need your child's own passport to enter the country—no exceptions.
Since 2006, all children, even newborns, must follow the same passport rules as adults. Parents can no longer add kids to their own passports. Every minor needs their own document to leave European territory. I discovered this firsthand when renewing my biometric passport a few months ago.
I also asked about my one-month-old granddaughter's passport. Sure enough, she needed one too, along with a full birth certificate copy issued less than three months prior. Here's a pro tip from experience: you can order it online, even for Lyon births. No need to visit the town hall.
This saved me tons of time—I wish I'd known sooner and avoided those long queues. I highly recommend this service for fellow Lyonnais; it's reliable and convenient.
Even if you're not traveling far right now, get your child's passport anyway. Life changes quickly, processing times can stretch out, and it's valid for five years for minors. Peace of mind is worth it.
Apply at your child's local town hall using the pre-filled Cerfa n°12101*02 form (downloadable online). Bring originals and copies of:
Don't forget fiscal stamps: €17 for under 15s, €42 for 15-18 year-olds. Submit a complete file to avoid delays—gather everything upfront.
