Every traveller needs their own ESTA. A newborn needs one. A grandparent needs one. There is no family application and no group discount. Here is how to handle a whole family without losing track.
One person, one authorisation
The ESTA is tied to a passport, not to a household. Six travellers means six passports, six applications and six fees.
Age changes nothing. Babies, toddlers and teenagers all need their own authorisation, and they pay the same as an adult.
Before you start: gather the passports
Lay every passport on the table and check three things on each one:
- It carries the chip symbol on the cover.
- It stays valid at least six months beyond your return date.
- The names printed on it match the names you will enter.
Children’s passports are usually issued for a short period, so they expire sooner than you expect. Check the youngest first.
The details you need per traveller
| Detail | Note |
|---|---|
| Full names | Exactly as printed, including middle names |
| Date and place of birth | As on the passport |
| Passport number, issue and expiry dates | Read back character by character |
| Home address | The same for the whole family |
| Both parents’ names | Required for every applicant, including adults |
| Emergency contact | Can be the same person for all, if that person is not travelling |
Pick an emergency contact who stays at home. Naming a fellow traveller defeats the purpose.
One email or several?
You can use one email address for the whole family. Every approval then lands in the same inbox, which is easier to keep together.
Use an address you check. If the approvals go astray, you find out at the airport.
Children travelling without both parents
The ESTA itself asks nothing extra. Border officers may. If a child travels with one parent, with grandparents, or with a school group, carry:
- A birth certificate showing the parents.
- A signed letter of consent from the non-travelling parent or parents, with their contact details.
- A copy of any custody order, if one exists.
This is not a legal requirement, but officers ask, and a prepared folder turns a long conversation into a short one.
Keep a simple record
Write down, for each traveller, the approval number and the expiry date. Two years later the family will not renew on the same day, because passports expire at different times.
Our guide to ESTA validity explains what shortens an authorisation.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a discount for a family?
No. The fee is charged per applicant, whatever the age.
Can one person apply on behalf of everyone?
Yes. A parent can complete every application in the family. Each one is still a separate application with its own fee.
My child was born after we booked. What now?
The child needs a passport first, then an ESTA of their own. Start with the passport, because that takes the longest.
Do all of us need to travel together?
No. Each authorisation is independent. Family members can arrive on different flights and different dates.
One approval came back refused. Can the rest of us still go?
Yes. A refusal affects only that person, who then applies for a visitor visa. See ESTA refusals and next steps.
Apply for the whole family
Do them one after another in a single sitting, with all the passports in front of you. It takes a few minutes each.
USA ESTA Portal is a private, independent service and is not affiliated with the government of the United States.
Read next: our complete planning guide for a first trip to the United States.
