A Statement of Consent for Issuing a Passport to a Child is required when a minor under 16 is applying for a U.S. passport and only one parent or legal representative can appear in person at the time of application. When one of the parents or legal guardians cannot be present to sign for a child’s passport application, Form DS-3053 may be used to show that permission to issue a passport has been granted by that individual. The DS-3053 (https://onenotary.us/ds-3053-form-passport-parental-consent/) was created to aid in the prevention of kidnappings that occur outside of the United States. Passport applications for minors under the age of 16 in the United States need the approval of both parents or guardians in law unless there is proof of sole custody or exceptional circumstances, such as a court order approving the child’s travel.
The U.S. government helps safeguard children from the possibility of abduction or removal without the knowledge or permission of either parent by demanding the approval of both parents or guardians. Note that the abovementioned form is not necessary if both parents or primary caregivers can apply for the minor in person at the same time. In cases where one parent or official guardian is unwilling or unable to grant permission for the child’s passport to be issued, or if the other parent or legal guardian’s whereabouts are unknown, extra proof of a good faith attempt to acquire their consent may be required. Examples of such papers include custody agreements and court orders.
Situations when the DS3053 form can be denied
There are many grounds for denying a passport application form DS-3053. Common denial causes include:
- Incorrect or missing data. An application might be rejected due to insufficient or false information presented.
- Inability to provide the required paperwork. A notarized Declaration of Consent or proof of exclusive custody may be required for your application to be processed.
- Warrants for one’s arrest or other legal problems. If you are presently facing criminal charges or have outstanding arrest warrants, passport application may be refused.
- Dishonest or erroneous claims. The U.S. Department of State will reject your passport application if it finds that you lied or submitted misleading information.
The U.S. Secretary of State ultimately decides whether or not to approve a passport application, and there are a number of considerations and extenuating circumstances that might lead to a refusal. If your application is rejected, you may be able to file an appeal or take other action to address the matter, however, this will depend on the specifics of your situation.
Tips to facilitate the process of passport application for minors
There are a few things you can do to make applying for a passport for a juvenile easier:
- Review the guidelines for applying for a minor’s passport before you submit an application. Documents and payments that must be submitted with your application may be found on the website of the United States Department of State.
- Before starting the application procedure, double-check that you have gathered all the required materials. The child’s social security card, birth certificate, and any relevant court orders or legal papers.
- Choose a U.S. Post Office or other official passport acceptance location to submit your application. The website of the United States Department of State may be used to locate a center in your area.
- Make sure the application is being handled in a timely way by checking on its progress on a regular basis. To see where your application stands, visit the State Department’s online portal.
You may make applying for a passport for a child easier by following these guidelines and making sure you have all the required paperwork and information on hand.
