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Special Requirements for Minors Under 16
 

Special Requirements for Minors Under 16
U.S. law requires that both parents provide consent authorizing passport issuance for minors under age 16.  Thus -

  • Both parents must appear in person and sign the DS-11 in front of the Consular Officer
  • One Parent must appear in person, sign the DS-11 in front of the Consular Officer, and submit the second parent’s notarized statement of consent (DS-3053)
  • One parent must appear in person, sign the DS-11 in front of the Consular Officer, and provide evidence of sole legal custody (for example the child’s birth certificate listing only the applying parent, a court order granting sole custody, the non-applying parent’s death certificate, etc.). 
  • A third party may apply for the minor’s passport if he/she submits a notarized written statement or affadavit from both parents authorizing the third party to apply for the passport, or if the statement or affadavit is only from one parent the third party must present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent.  


    Note:  Statements of consent from the non-applying parents must be less than 3 months old and must contain the minor’s full name and date of birth. A copy of a government-issued photo ID of the non-appearing parent is also required.