ESTA Group Application for Family and Children

Planning a trip to the USA with your family or a group? Every traveler must apply for an ESTA USA — including children and babies. Each applicant requires an individual ESTA linked to their own biometric passport, even if they travel on their parent’s lap. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for completing the ESTA for children online. To simplify the process, travelers can submit a family or group ESTA application, which centralizes data entry and payment. This guide explains how ESTA works for families, groups, and minors, with requirements, validity, and essential tips for a smooth journey.

📌 The essentials about ESTA for children and families

• Every traveller, regardless of age, must have their own ESTA.
• Parents or guardians can apply on behalf of their children.
• A family or group application simplifies the process.

ESTA application for families or groups: complete instructions

Travelling to the United States with family or friends means preparing several ESTA applications. Instead of filling out each form separately, it is possible to use the ESTA group application option. This system, available on the official website and some authorised platforms, simplifies the management of multiple authorisations by centralising data entry and payment. Each traveller, whether adult, child or baby, still receives an individual ESTA, but all applications are linked under the same reference number. This is often referred to as the family ESTA application process.

Difference between individual and group ESTA applications

An individual ESTA application is submitted for one traveller only: you enter personal details, travel information and pay the fee. This method is best for solo travellers or when family members are travelling on different dates.

An ESTA group application allows multiple forms to be submitted together. A representative (parent, group leader, friend) acts as the initiator of the family or group request. They add the details of each participant — adults, minors and babies alike. At the end, all fees are paid in a single transaction.

👉 Key points to remember:

• Each traveller receives an individual ESTA, even in a family or group submission.
• The group reference number makes it easier to check all applications at once.
• A single payment simplifies budgeting, especially for families with several children.

Advantages of the group ESTA for families

The family ESTA application offers several benefits compared to applying individually:

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Save time: enter all data in one interface without restarting the process for each person.
• 💳 One payment: avoid multiple transactions when travelling with children or relatives.
• 📩 Easier tracking: a common file number lets you follow the status of every application.
• 🧳 Simplified family organisation: parents can manage their children’s ESTAs together.
• 🚫 Fewer mistakes: entering all forms in one session reduces the risk of errors or omissions.

💡 Remember: even in a group ESTA application, every child — including infants — must have their own authorisation. The group option only centralises the process.

Step-by-step procedure for a family or group ESTA application

• Access the official platform: On the official ESTA website, you must select the group application option directly. On a private platform, however, the process usually involves simply indicating the number of travellers at the beginning of the form, which allows all applications to be processed in a single session.
• Designate the initiator of the application: The group leader enters their own information first (identity, contact details, passport). They become the point of contact for follow-up and communication.
• Add other travellers: After completing their form, the initiator adds each member of the group: spouse, children, friends, etc. For each traveller, they must enter their passport details, full identity, address in the United States and answer the security questionnaire.
• Check the information: Before submitting, it is essential to check everything carefully: errors in passport numbers, spelling mistakes or incorrect dates of birth will result in automatic rejected.
• Pay the ESTA fees: The system automatically calculates the total amount based on the number of travellers included. A single payment covers all applications.
• Receive confirmation: The initiator receives a common reference number, which is useful for checking the status of each application. The response from the US authorities usually arrives within 72 hours.
• Download and keep the authorizations: Although ESTA is electronic, it is advisable to print each individual confirmation and take them with you when travelling. This will prevent any technical difficulties during check-in or arrival checks.

Best practices for a successful ESTA family/group application

• 🕒 Apply early: even if approval is fast, apply several days before departure.
• 🧾 Prepare documents: keep all passports ready to avoid mistakes.
• 👀 Double-check everything: a typo can invalidate the application.
• 🛡️ Save the reference number: it helps track the whole group file.
• 🔄 Update when needed: if a passport expires, a new child ESTA application must be made individually.

The ESTA family group application is a reliable and time-saving option for parents and groups of friends. It doesn’t replace the legal requirement for each traveller to have their own ESTA, but it makes the process smoother by centralising data entry, payments and tracking. By preparing documents in advance and applying early, families and groups can ensure a hassle-free trip to the United States.

Do children need an ESTA to travel to the United States?

Many parents ask the same question: do children need an ESTA to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program? The answer is simple: yes, every traveller, including minors, babies and young children, must hold their own ESTA authorization. Unlike some countries where a child can be listed on a parent’s passport, US authorities require an individual biometric passport and an approved ESTA for each child.

This requirement applies even to infants carried in the arms or babies not occupying a separate seat on the plane. In practice, a baby ESTA is mandatory as soon as the child enters US territory, by air or sea. Without a valid ESTA for children, boarding or entry through immigration may be denied, regardless of age.

The process of completing a child ESTA application is the same as for an adult. Parents or legal guardians act as representatives to fill in the form online with the child’s details. The ESTA is then electronically linked to the child’s passport and remains valid for two years (or until the passport expires). This means even children under 18 benefit from the same rights as adults, including multiple entries to the United States during the validity period.

Parents travelling with several minors can also use the ESTA family group application option, which allows them to submit multiple forms together and pay in one transaction. Each ESTA remains individual but grouped submission simplifies the process.

📌 Key points to remember about ESTA for children and babies:

• 🍼 Do babies need an ESTA? Yes – every infant requires their own authorization.
• 🛂 Each child must have an individual biometric passport.
• 💻 The application for children and minors is made online by a parent or guardian.
• ⏳ The ESTA is valid for 2 years, the same as for adults.
• ✈️ Without a child ESTA, minors cannot board flights to the United States.

In summary, do kids need an ESTA? Yes, absolutely. Whether applying for one baby or completing a family ESTA application, every child under 18 needs their own authorization before travelling to the United States.

How do I complete an ESTA application for a child or baby?

The child ESTA application must be submitted online in exactly the same way as for an adult, but with certain specific requirements that parents should know. The form is completed by a parent or legal guardian, who is responsible for the accuracy of the details provided. Although applying for an ESTA for a baby or minor is straightforward, mistakes can lead to rejection. To avoid problems, it is important to prepare the documents in advance and carefully follow the procedure when applying for an ESTA for kids under 18.

Documents required for an ESTA for a child

Before completing the ESTA application for children, gather all the necessary documents to save time:

• 🛂 Biometric passport of the child or baby (valid at least until the end of the planned trip).
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Parent or guardian information: full name, address, telephone number, family relationship.
• 📧 Valid email address to receive the ESTA approval notice.
• 💳 Payment method (credit card or electronic payment) for the ESTA fee.
• 🛫 Travel details: address of stay in the USA, return flight or full itinerary.

💡 Helpful tip: keep a printed copy and a digital version of both the child’s passport and the approved ESTA. Even though the ESTA for minors is stored electronically, having a copy can avoid delays at check-in or immigration in case of technical issues.

Steps to complete the ESTA form for minors

• Go to the official website or a private platform with assistance: the form can only be completed online.
• Select a new individual application on behalf of the child, indicating that the parent or guardian is acting as their representative.
• Enter the identity information: surname, first name, date and place of birth, passport number and issuing country.
• Provide the legal representative's contact details: the US authorities must be able to clearly identify who is responsible for the minor.
• Provide travel details: planned address in the United States (hotel, family or friend's home), approximate length of stay, return flight.
• Answer security questions: even if they concern a child, the parent must answer truthfully and accurately.
• Confirm and pay the ESTA fee: once payment has been accepted, the application is forwarded to the US authorities.
• Receive confirmation by email: the response usually arrives within 72 hours. In the event of an urgent situation, it is recommended to plan ahead to avoid any risk of delay.

💡 Tip: when travelling with multiple children, parents can use the ESTA family group application option to simplify submission. Each ESTA is still individual, but the applications are submitted and tracked together.

ESTA validity period and conditions for minors

The validity of a child ESTA is identical to that of an adult ESTA:

• ✅ Valid for 2 years from approval.
• ✅ Expires automatically if the child’s passport expires earlier.
• ✅ Authorizes multiple entries to the United States, each stay limited to 90 days.

Additional rules to know:

• 🔄 If the passport is renewed, a new ESTA for children under 18 must be requested.
• 🛑 Major changes (name, citizenship, criminal record) require a new application.
• 🎒 With their ESTA, children enjoy the same rights as adults: multiple entries for tourism, transit, or family visits.

Traveling to the United States requires an ESTA authorization for every traveler, including adults, children, and even infants. Families can submit individual applications—useful if members travel separately—or a group/family application, which simplifies the process by centralizing forms and payment. In all cases, each ESTA is personal and linked to the traveler’s passport. Preparing the ESTA application as a family or group ensures a smoother process, saves time, and helps guarantee a stress-free journey to the USA.