Seat 1A | Luxury Family Travel

Everything You Need to Know about Global Entry for Minors (Including the New 2025 FREE Application for Children!)

Getting Global Entry for minors just got a lot simpler in 2025! Coming back from Mexico with our one-year-old, I nearly had my Global Entry privileges revoked when I couldn’t remember if I’d enrolled him. That moment of standing in the wrong customs line, frantically scrolling through emails while bouncing a cranky baby, with an unamused CBP officer warning me about “misuse” of my Global Entry privileges, was the wake-up call I needed. Was it “mom brain” or “second-kid” that made me forget this important travel detail? Probably both! Here’s everything you need to know about getting Global Entry for infants and minors so you don’t end up in my situation.

What is Global Entry and Why Do Kids Need It?

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers entering the United States. Instead of waiting in long lines, members use kiosks for faster processing. The most important thing to know: every family member, including infants and toddlers, needs their own Global Entry membership to use those kiosks together.

Is Global Entry Worth It for Kids?

Absolutely! If you travel internationally even once a year with children, the time saved is invaluable. Imagine the difference between breezing through customs versus standing in line for an hour with tired, cranky kids after a long flight where they finished ALL the snacks … just my kids? The best part is, Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, which means you double-end the fun and no one has to take their shoes off! Get my carry-on only packing list here.

How Much Does Global Entry Cost for Kids in 2025?

Great news for families! As of October 2024, applications for children under 18 are completely FREE if their parent or legal guardian is already enrolled in a Trusted Traveler Program like Global Entry or is applying at the same time. This is something I really wish we had when we signed our oldest up 4 years ago!

Adults still pay $120 for a five-year membership (increased from $100 in late 2024), but many travel credit cards offer statement credits that cover this fee. We like the AmEx Platinum and Chase Sapphire cards the most. The fee waiver for children is a game-changer for traveling families, potentially saving hundreds of dollars!

How Do I Apply for Global Entry for My Child?

Getting Global Entry for minors is similar to adult applications:

1. Create a Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) account for your child (yes, they need their own email address)
2. Complete the online application and indicate you’re applying for a minor
3. Submit your own membership information to have the fee waived
4. Wait for conditional approval (usually within a few weeks, though it can take longer)
5. Schedule and attend an interview at an enrollment center

What Happens at a Child’s Global Entry Interview?

Unfortunately, only renewals are allowed the virtual interview. For babies and young children, the “interview” is much simpler than for adults. The CBP officer will primarily:

• Verify the child’s identity matches their passport
• Take their photo
• Skip fingerprinting for children under age 4
• Allow one parent to answer questions on behalf of the child

You’ll need to bring your child’s passport and proof of relationship (birth certificate). Only one parent needs to accompany the child to the interview.

What’s New with Global Entry in 2025?

Improved Renewal Process

Many renewals are now being processed much faster, with some members receiving approval in as little as a few days or weeks. If you’re renewing, remember:

• You can renew up to one year before expiration
• You’ll maintain a 24-month grace period for benefits if you apply before expiration
• Many renewals no longer require an in-person interview
• Keep your TTP account information current to avoid delays

Global Entry Mobile App

One of the most exciting Global Entry developments in 2025 is the expanded availability of the Global Entry Mobile App. This app now allows members to:

• Skip the physical kiosks entirely at participating airports
• Complete your verification process on your phone before reaching customs
• Simply show your mobile receipt to a CBP officer
• Speed through the entry process even faster than before

The app continues to expand to more airports throughout 2025, making the Global Entry experience even more convenient. If you’re like us, we aren’t up-to-date, so it’s nice to have the app pre-downloaded and ready now (literally me as I’m typing this, so I don’t forget).

Enrollment on Arrival Updates

Instead of scheduling a separate interview appointment, you can complete your interview when returning from an international trip at participating airports. Sometimes this is such a hack, when I landed in LAX last year, I renewed on arrival, and this line was MUCH shorter. They’re always adding more airports to this list!

How Can I Find Interview Appointments?

This can still be the trickiest part of the process! Enrollment centers are often booked months in advance. Try these strategies for 2025:

• Book the first available appointment, then check regularly for cancellations
• Consider the Enrollment on Arrival option if your application is conditionally approved and you’re returning from international travel
• Try the expanded number of enrollment centers, including some non-airport locations
• Check early morning or late evening slots, which sometimes have more availability
• Some members report success checking for appointments after midnight when the system updates

What If My Child Gets a New Passport?

Don’t forget to update their Global Entry profile with the new passport number! This often-overlooked step ensures smooth processing at the kiosks. Many travelers don’t realize that you need to update their Known Traveler Number in their flight booking every time too.

Using Global Entry with Young Children

A few important tips for using Global Entry with little ones:

• For children under 4 who didn’t get fingerprinted, the kiosk will print an “X” on their receipt, meaning an officer needs to verify their identity
• You’ll go through an expedited line for this verification, not the regular customs line
• All family members must have Global Entry to use the kiosks together
• Memberships are valid for five years and can be renewed starting one year before expiration

My Top Tips for Parents in 2025

1. Apply early – The earlier the better, especially with the fee now waived for children
2. Set calendar reminders for renewal dates
3. Take screenshots of everyone’s Global Entry information for easy access
4. Consider the mobile app – If traveling through airports where it’s available, it’s even faster than the kiosks
5. Book appointments for siblings together and ask nicely if they can be processed in one slot
6. Try Enrollment on Arrival for the initial interview if appointments are scarce

Is Global Entry Worth It For Families in 2025?

Absolutely! With the fee waiver for children and the continued expansion of time-saving features like the mobile app, Global Entry is more valuable than ever for traveling families. Nothing beats the feeling of walking past those long customs lines with tired kids after a long international flight.

And if you ever find yourself staring at a stern CBP officer, unsure if your child is actually enrolled, take it from me – double-check before you travel! That’s one mistake you only make once.

Have you enrolled your kids in Global Entry? Was it worth it? Share in the comments!