Applying for a child’s passport can be a bit more complicated than applying for an adult passport. Infants and babies need to have their passports for international travel.
Read more: Do Babies Need Passports? A Comprehensive Guide
When you apply for a passport for your baby or child, you should provide proof of the relationship to the child and evidence of the child’s U.S. citizenship.
You will also need proof of parental consent if both parents are not present for the passport application process.
Read on to understand what you need to apply for a child’s passport and how to get parental consent if both parents are unavailable.
What Do You need to Apply for a Child Passport?
- A completed application form
- Proof of U.S. citizenship
- A passport photo
- A parent’s identification
- Payment for the passport fee
If you are applying for a child passport without both parents present, you will need to provide proof of sole custody or written permission from the other parent.
Proof of sole custody can be a court order, death certificate, or similar. If you don’t have sole custody, you will need to provide written permission from the other parent. This will be in the form of a signed letter or an affidavit of consent. The letter or affidavit must state that the other parent is aware of the application and gives permission for the child to get a passport.
If you cannot provide proof of sole custody or written permission from the other parent, you may still be able to apply if you can show it is impossible to get the other parent’s consent. You must submit form DS-3053, Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances. This form must be completed by a mental health professional, law enforcement officer, or military commander who can attest to the circumstances that make it impossible to get the other parent’s consent.
When Are Both Parents Not Required to Be Present for a Child Passport Application?
There are certain circumstances where both parents are not required to be present for a child’s passport application. These include:
- If one parent has sole legal custody of the child
- If one parent has primary physical custody of the child
- If the whereabouts of the other parent is unknown
- If the other parent is deceased
In these circumstances, the parent applying for the passport must provide evidence of their custody arrangement. This may include a court order or a notarized letter from the other parent granting permission for the passport application. A death certificate will be required if the other parent is deceased.
Can a Legal Guardian Sign for a Child’s Passport?
The short answer is yes. A legal guardian can sign for a child’s passport in most cases. For parental relationships, you should submit one of the following:
- A certified birth certificate listing both parents
- A final adoption decree
- A court order establishing custody or guardianship
- If only one parent’s name is listed on the child’s birth certificate, that parent must submit evidence of authority to apply for the passport.
For express passport renewal in Atlanta, contact Passport Express Inc. We can help you with your application and ensure everything is in order.
