Do both parents need to apply for a US passport for minors?
So, I have a timeshare in Cancun, and I want to take my two children, both underage minors. Obviously, they are going to need to have passports. Their mother and I are separated, but not yet divorced, and she's, well, special. I've offered to bring the ex along, but I suspect she will refuse.
The question is: Can I apply for a passport for the kids, without involving their mother? Obviously, I intend on telling the mom before we leave the country, but I'm considering just going ahead and applying for the passports before she can come up with some, ahem, justification for why I shouldn't be able to get them their passports. If nothing else, I'd like to be the one controlling the passports, because if anyone would flee the country with them, it would be her.
What does the law say about just one parent applying for the passports? And, if I do get them, can she then apply for her own set of passports for the kids?
Best Answer
In order to avoid parental abduction, both parents must consent. From the Travel.state.gov website:
Minors under age 16 cannot apply for a passport by themselves.
Both parents/guardians must appear in person with the minor and provide consent, authorizing passport issuance to the minor. If one parent/guardian is unable to appear in person, then the DS-11 application must be accompanied by a signed, notarized Form DS-3053: Statement of Consent from the non-applying parent/guardian.
If the minor only has one parent/guardian, evidence of sole authority to apply for the minor must be submitted with the application in the form of a:
U.S. or foreign birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or adoption decree, listing only the applying parent Court order granting sole legal custody to the applying parent (unless child’s travel is restricted by that order) Court order specifically permitting applying parent’s travel with the child Judicial declaration of incompetence of the non-applying parent Death certificate of the non-applying parent
Anything other than an affadavit from the other parent that is less than 3 months old is simply insufficient.
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Do you need both parents to get a US passport?
All children under age 16 must apply for a passport in person with two parents or guardians using Form DS-11. You cannot renew your child's passport using Form DS-82. Passports for children under age 16 are only valid for 5 years.How do I get a passport for a child with one parent absent in the US?
If one parent or guardian is unable to appear, they can simply give their written permission for the child's passport. They do this by filling out the \u201cstatement of consent\u201d form DS-3053. The signing of this form must be witnessed by a certified notary public.Is parents passport required for minor passport?
No it is not mandatory for both parents to have a passport but having one or having a valid passport with a spouse's name endorsed on it will ensure that the child will not have to go through a Police Verification Process.How do I get a passport for my child if the father is not around?
If you are the mother and there is no father listed on the birth certificate, you can obtain a passport. Also, if you don't know where the other parent is, and you have no method of contacting them, you can submit form DS 5525 with the passport application.HOW TO GET A PASSPORT for a Baby / Minor / Child in USA United States of America
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Answer 2
Recently I applied for a passport for my newborn daughter. Since I work my wife would be the one to go alone to get the passport application. However I discovered that I would need to get a notarized form giving her permission to do so. This was a huge hassle so I had to take time off work in order to go with her. So from personal experience I can say that you definitely need to get the spouse's permission.
There must be exceptions like if one of the parents are dead or if one parent has 100% custody because the other parent is abusive. But if the other parent is still involved for any reason then there is no way you can go ahead with the passport application.
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