A mother recently found herself puzzled by a question on her 9-month-old daughter’s passport application. It’s not uncommon for Americans to have a complicated relationship with the passport process. A 2021 YouGov survey revealed that only 37% of U.S. adults possess a valid passport, while 38% have never obtained one.
Determined to make sure her daughter had the necessary documentation, Nicole Webz took on the task. But as she completed the online application, one specific question threw her for a loop— she was asked to provide her daughter’s occupation.
This is a detail for a baby still learning to walk and mastering the art of wearing diapers. “I was confused about why that section even exists,” Webz shared in a TikTok video highlighting her experience.
Her confusion extended beyond just the oddity of asking a baby about a job. “Even adults, what’s the point of listing an occupation? How does the passport office use this info? Does it affect eligibility?” she wondered.
Webz often posts relatable parenting clips on TikTok, aiming to find humor in the challenges of being a first-time mom. “Parenting is overwhelming, so I enjoy sharing experiences that can help or amuse other new parents,” she explained.
Despite the strange occupation question, Webz found the application process to be relatively smooth. “I was surprised how quickly it got processed!” she noted, although she did encounter another quirky hurdle: signing her baby’s passport. “If anyone has tips on teaching a baby to sign their name, let me know!”
Reactions from TikTok Users
Since her TikTok video went viral with more than 860,000 views and 44,000 likes, users have chimed in with creative suggestions for her daughter’s “occupation.” One user cheekily suggested “unemployed,” while another joked “freeloader.” Other funny responses included “milk collector” and the quip that her daughter “refuses to get a job.”