Getting a passport for a child in Ghana is a little different from getting one for yourself, because a minor cannot apply alone and extra documents are needed to prove who they are and who may act for them. If you are sorting a passport for your child, here is what to expect.
Start with the birth certificate
A child’s passport application rests on their birth certificate, which proves their identity, age and parentage. If you have not registered the birth and obtained the certificate, do that first, because the passport process depends on it. This is the document everything else builds on.
Parental consent and identity
Because the applicant is a minor, a parent or legal guardian applies on their behalf, and you will generally need to prove your own identity and your relationship to the child. Expect to provide your identification, such as your Ghana Card, and to give the required consent as the parent or guardian.
Photographs and the form
You complete the passport application for the child, usually starting online, and provide photographs that meet the requirements. Getting the photo right matters, since a rejected photo delays everything. Follow the specifications closely rather than using any snapshot.
The application and fees
The application is submitted through the passport process, with the fee paid, and there is usually a stage that must be done in person. Bring the child’s birth certificate, your identification and consent, the photographs and the completed application. Having everything together avoids a wasted trip and a second appointment.
Plan for the wait
Passports take time to process, so apply well ahead of any travel rather than close to a trip. Keep your receipt and reference to track progress and to collect. If both parents or specific guardians must be involved, sort that early, since a missing consent can hold the whole thing up.
The core of it is simple: register the birth and get the certificate, then apply as the parent or guardian with your identification, consent, photographs and the fee. Do it early, with the documents in order, and your child has their passport in good time for wherever you are taking them.
