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Children under age 16 cannot apply for a passport by themselves. Both parents/guardians must authorize the issuance of the child’s passport. The best way to do this is for both parents/guardians to go with the child in person to apply for the passport.
What if both parents/guardians cannot appear in person?
If… | Then… |
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You have sole legal authority |
You must submit evidence of this with the application. Examples include:
Foreign documents must be accompanied by English translations. |
One parent is unable to appear |
If one parent/guardian cannot accompany the child to apply for the passport, they can give permission by completing Form DS-3053 “Statement of Consent.” You must submit the completed form with the child’s passport application. Documents include:
Photocopies or scanned copies are not acceptable. The form must be less than three months old. Please note: In Japan, a DS-3053 notarized by a Japanese notary public is acceptable. If the document is notarized at a Japanese notary public, please be sure to attach an English translation of the notarized page. You or anyone with the appropriate language ability may do the translation. |
You cannot locate the other parent, or other exigent circumstances apply |
You must submit Form DS-5525 “Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances.”
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Neither parent able to appear |
A third party may apply for the child’s passport with a Form DS-3053 “Statement of Consent” from each parent. Each parent/guardian must notarize a Form DS-3053 and give the third party permission to apply for the child.
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Please call your nearest Consulate or Embassy:
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