Flying with 1 year old.......passport question

Alright.......so here goes...I live in UK on flr/m will be travelling with husband and 1 year old (by then) daughter in May of next year BACK to the US for 2 weeks (hopefully on ilr by then as app goes out in March) ANYWAY Ultimately she will be a dual citizen holding 2 passports but money is too tight to mention at this point.  SO my question is how is the best way for her to travel at that time? can she piggy back on one of our passports for this one trip? or do we need to register as an American born abroad and get her an American passport? or is the cheapest option for this trip to get her a British passport and deal with the American side when we get back home after our trip?  The question I'm asking what is the best way to use our money at this time to get her back to the states for 2 weeks in May? If that isn't clear let me know and I will try to explain better..

thanks for advice!!!

is this the best place for this question?

I'm sure someone will put it in better words than me

But she needs both

1.) She must enter and leave the US on her US passport (law)
2.) She'll need the British one to get back in, otherwise, she'd need to have a valid visa in her US passport to be here and that would just be silly

Sorry  

Others have just travelled on the British one to the US and not "got caught" but its not recommended, as its law for a US citizen to leave and enter on their US passport

PB's right...no way around it.

Dual Citizenship

In the 1980's, the Supreme Court ruled that U.S. citizenship is a constitutional right that cannot be taken away from a citizen who does not intend to relinquish it. Therefore, such actions as naturalization in a foreign country, travel on a foreign passport, employment with a foreign government, and voting in a foreign election do not automatically jeopardize American citizenship. However, please note that all U.S. citizens, even dual nationals, must enter and depart the United States on U.S. passports.

You're gonna have to fork over the cash and make a personal trip to the Embassy too!

Children cannot be on a parents passport and MUST carry their own.

It looks as though you no longer have to register the birth with the US Embassy (is that correct, Weby?) So at least that's one less thing.

It looks as though you no longer have to register the birth with the US Embassy (is that correct, Weby?) So at least that's one less thing.

Unfortunately you're mistaken.Birth still must be registered to prove US Citizenship which is requried to prove that they're entitled to a US Passport:

If your child has a claim to U.S. citizenship, it will be necessary for the U.S. citizen parent to execute an application for a "Consular Report of Birth Abroad" before a consular officer. This Report is official evidence of citizenship issued to a person under the age of 18 who was born abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s) and acquired citizenship at birth. At the time you report the birth of your child, you may also submit an application for his or her U.S. passport.

ETA: also the passport application for Children must be done in person at the Embassy as well, so no matter what a trip to the Embassy must be done.

Additional Requirements for the Passport Application

You are not required to apply for a passport at the same time you report your child's birth, but many applicants choose to do so because both applications require personal appearance at the Embassy. If you wish to submit both applications on the same day, please follow this link for further information. 

It's not looking as bad as I thought about £200 all together plus the trip to London:) one more thing I guess thanks for all the answers!

I was just coming on to ask this same question!!! Just registered lo birth last week and his US passport arrived today.  Registering and Passport fees about $200 + £14.50 for a courier (or bring your own special delivery envelope).  So I was thinking, dh away, I'll go home and visit my family.... so is it really required to have his British passport for the way home, is US passport and birth cert not enough? 

Yes, you really need his British passport so the child can enter the UK without a visa.

  ..... off to do MORE paperwork...saw you can get a british passport on one day service so going to investigate that tomorrow so I might still be able to go.

Jamie, sorry to hijack your post!!!