Applying for a U.S. passport for a child under 16 requires both parents or legal guardians to provide consent — either by appearing in person together at a passport acceptance facility, or when that is not possible, by having the absent parent complete a notarized DS-3053 statement of consent minor passport form. If you try to apply for your child’s passport without the other parent present and without Form DS-3053, your application will be rejected on the spot.
This complete guide covers everything you need to know about the ds-3053 form download 2026 process: when it is required, who completes it, how to fill it out correctly, how and where to get it notarized, the critical 90-day validity window, sole custody and special circumstances exceptions, and the most common mistakes that cause delays or outright rejections.
Also on applicationformportal.us: Form DS-11 — How to Apply for a New U.S. Passport (the main passport application form that DS-3053 accompanies) and Form DS-82 — U.S. Passport Renewal by Mail.
What Is Form DS-3053?
📥 Download Form DS-3053 (PDF) from the Official State Department Website →
Form DS-3053, officially titled Statement of Consent: U.S. Passport Issuance to a Child, is the U.S. Department of State form used when one or both legal parents or guardians cannot appear in person at a passport acceptance facility when applying for a passport for a child. The October 2024 edition is the current version in use and must be used — older versions will be rejected.
DS-3053 is never submitted alone. It is always a supporting document that accompanies the child’s passport application on Form DS-11. Without a properly completed, notarized DS-3053 from the absent parent, the passport acceptance agent cannot accept the application and the child’s passport cannot be processed.
The Two-Parent Consent Law: Why DS-3053 Exists
The two parent consent law minor passport requirement comes from 22 CFR 51.28, a federal regulation designed to prevent international parental child abduction. Under U.S. law, both legal parents or guardians must consent to the issuance of a passport for any child under age 16. The standard process is for both parents to appear in person together with the child at a passport acceptance facility, where both parents sign the DS-11 application in front of the acceptance agent.
When one parent cannot make that in-person appearance — due to work schedules, travel, military deployment, living in a different city, or any other reason — Form DS-3053 is the legally required substitute. It gives the absent parent a way to provide their notarized written consent so the applying parent can proceed with the passport application alone. A handwritten note, a power of attorney, or any other form of personal statement is not a valid substitute. The State Department only accepts the official DS-3053 or a notarized written statement containing all the same information as DS-3053.
When Is DS-3053 Required?
You need Form DS-3053 in the following situations when applying for a child passport one parent absent form:
- One parent or legal guardian will not be present at the passport acceptance facility appointment, but consents to the child receiving a passport.
- Both parents or legal guardians cannot appear but want to authorize a third party (such as a grandparent, aunt/uncle, or other trusted adult) to apply for the child’s passport on their behalf.
- An institution or entity has been granted guardianship and cannot appear in person, and wishes to authorize a specific individual to apply on the child’s behalf.
DS-3053 is not required when:
- Both parents appear together in person with the child — the simplest path, requiring no DS-3053 at all.
- The applying parent has sole legal custody and can provide documentation proving it (see sole custody exceptions below).
- One parent is deceased and a death certificate is provided.
For children ages 16 and 17, the requirement is different: only parental awareness (not full notarized consent) is required, and a signed note from a parent with a photocopy of their ID is often sufficient. The passport acceptance officer has discretion to request DS-3053 even for 16–17 year-olds in certain circumstances, but it is not automatically required.
Who Completes Each Section of DS-3053?
Understanding how to fill out ds-3053 2026 correctly starts with knowing which sections are completed by which person. DS-3053 has two distinct functional uses handled in different sections of the same form:
- Section 4 (Statement of Consent) — Completed by the absent parent or guardian who is not appearing at the passport facility. This is the most common use of the form. The absent parent fills in their information and the child’s information, then signs in front of a notary.
- Section 5 (Statement of Special Circumstances) — Completed by the applying parent or guardian when the consent of the non-applying parent cannot be obtained (for example, the other parent is unreachable, refuses to consent, or their whereabouts are unknown). This section does not require notarization. Approval of special circumstances is at the discretion of the passport acceptance officer.
Sections 1, 2, and 3 are completed by whoever is filling out the form — they collect the absent parent’s information, the applying parent’s information, and the child’s information respectively.
How to Fill Out Form DS-3053: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Download the Current Version
Download the October 2024 edition of Form DS-3053 from eforms.state.gov. Always verify you are using the current edition — older versions are rejected. The edition date appears at the bottom of the form (DS-3053 10-2024). You can also pick up a blank form at any passport acceptance facility. The form cannot be completed or submitted online — you must print it and complete it by hand or by typing.
Step 2: Print and Complete in Black Ink Only
Complete the form in black ink only — this is a mandatory requirement. The form must be legible; ideally type directly into the PDF fields before printing, rather than handwriting. If you make an error, do not try to correct it — start with a fresh form. The State Department’s high-speed scanners may flag corrections or alterations as potentially fraudulent.
Step 3: Section 1 — Absent Parent or Guardian Information
Enter the full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, current mailing address, and daytime phone number of the parent or guardian who will NOT be appearing at the passport facility. The name entered here must match exactly the name on the absent parent’s government-issued photo ID.
Step 4: Section 2 — Applying Parent or Guardian Information
Enter the full legal name and relationship to the child of the parent or guardian who WILL appear in person at the passport facility. If a third party (not a parent) is applying on the child’s behalf with both parents authorizing them via DS-3053, enter the third party’s full name and their relationship to the child.
Step 5: Section 3 — Child’s Information
Enter the child’s full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, and sex. The child’s name must match exactly their birth certificate and the DS-11 passport application. If you want to request only a passport book (not a card) or only a passport card, note this in writing in Section 3. Otherwise, both a passport book and passport card will be issued.
Step 6: Section 4 — Statement of Consent (DO NOT SIGN YET)
If you are the absent parent giving consent, complete Section 4 — but do not sign it yet. The signature line in Section 4 must be signed only in the physical presence of a notary public or a passport authorizing officer. Signing before appearing before a notary invalidates the form entirely. Leave the signature line blank until you are sitting in front of the notary.
Step 7: Section 5 — Statement of Special Circumstances (if applicable)
If the other parent’s consent cannot be obtained — because they are unreachable, refuse to consent, or their location is unknown — the applying parent completes Section 5 instead of Section 4. Explain in detail why you cannot obtain the other parent’s consent. This section does not require notarization, but approval is entirely at the passport officer’s discretion. Be specific and honest — vague explanations are frequently rejected.
Step 8: Get the Form Notarized
The ds-3053 notarization requirements are strict. For a Statement of Consent (Section 4), the absent parent must sign the form in the physical presence of one of the following:
- A licensed notary public (most common — available at banks, UPS stores, law offices, and many public libraries)
- A U.S. passport authorizing officer at a passport agency or acceptance facility within the United States
- A U.S. Embassy or Consulate notarial officer (for parents located abroad)
The notary must witness the absent parent sign in person, stamp or seal the form, sign it themselves, and record the date. The notary’s commission expiration date and seal must not overlap the absent parent’s signature or any other critical information on the form. If the notary seal obscures any text, the form will be rejected. The notary cannot be related to either parent.
The absent parent must also provide a photocopy of the front and back of the valid government-issued photo ID they presented to the notary. This photocopy must be submitted along with the notarized DS-3053 when the applying parent goes to the passport acceptance facility.
Step 9: Submit Within the 90-Day Window
The ds-3053 validity 90 days rule is critical and frequently overlooked. Form DS-3053 is valid for only 90 days from the date the notary or passport authorizing officer signs the form. If the child’s passport application is not submitted within 90 days of notarization, the DS-3053 expires and a new one must be completed and notarized from scratch.
This means you should schedule the child’s passport appointment at the acceptance facility first, then arrange for the absent parent to get DS-3053 notarized within 90 days of that appointment date. If you notarize too early and then face delays in getting a passport appointment, you may need to repeat the notarization.
What to Bring to the Passport Acceptance Facility
When the applying parent goes to the passport acceptance facility with the child, bring the following complete package:
- Completed Form DS-11 — the child’s passport application, unsigned (the applying parent signs it in front of the acceptance agent)
- Evidence of the child’s U.S. citizenship — certified birth certificate (most common), previous U.S. passport, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad
- Evidence of parental relationship — the child’s birth certificate listing the applying parent’s name, adoption decree, or court order
- Notarized Form DS-3053 — from the absent parent, dated within the last 90 days
- Photocopy of the absent parent’s ID — front and back of the government-issued photo ID presented during notarization, clear and legible
- Photo ID of the applying parent — government-issued, with photocopy (front and back)
- Child’s passport photo — recent 2”×2” compliant photo
- Filing fees — $165 for a passport book, $65 for a passport card, or $200 for both (children under 16 pay the same fees as adults for the application itself, but passports for children under 16 are valid for only five years)
Sole Custody and Other Exceptions to DS-3053
The ds-3053 special circumstances sole custody exceptions allow an applying parent to proceed without DS-3053 or Section 5 in certain situations. If any of the following apply, you may be exempt from needing the other parent’s consent at all:
- Sole legal custody court order — Provide a certified court order explicitly granting you sole legal custody. The order must not contain conditions on international travel. Note: physical custody is not the same as legal custody; only a sole legal custody order qualifies.
- Other parent is deceased — Provide the other parent’s death certificate or an affidavit of death.
- Birth certificate listing only one parent — If the child’s birth certificate lists only the applying parent (no second parent listed), this may be accepted as evidence of sole authority. However, the passport acceptance officer has discretion to request DS-3053 even in this case.
- Court order granting passport issuance — A court order specifically authorizing a passport to be issued for the child.
Understanding ds-3053 vs ds-5525 absent parent passport situations: Form DS-5525 (Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances) is a separate form used when the applying parent cannot obtain the other parent’s consent and the situation involves exigent circumstances (such as an emergency requiring immediate travel). DS-5525 is filed instead of the Section 5 statement on DS-3053 in urgent or complex cases and must be reviewed by a passport agency (not just an acceptance facility). For non-emergency cases where consent simply cannot be obtained, completing Section 5 of DS-3053 at a local acceptance facility is the standard approach.
Minor Passport Applications: Both Parents Required Overview
Here is a quick reference for the minor passport application both parents required scenarios and which form or exception applies:
| Situation | What Is Required |
|---|---|
| Both parents can appear in person | Both sign DS-11 at the facility — no DS-3053 needed |
| One parent cannot appear but consents | Absent parent completes and notarizes Section 4 of DS-3053 |
| Both parents authorize a third party to apply | Both parents complete and notarize Section 4 of DS-3053 |
| Other parent unreachable or refuses consent | Applying parent completes Section 5 of DS-3053 (no notary) |
| Applying parent has sole legal custody (court order) | Submit certified court order — DS-3053 not required |
| Other parent is deceased | Submit death certificate — DS-3053 not required |
| Emergency travel needed immediately | Form DS-5525 + appointment at regional passport agency |
Common DS-3053 Mistakes That Cause Rejections
- Signing before seeing the notary. The most common and most damaging mistake. The absent parent’s signature must be witnessed live by the notary or passport officer. A pre-signed form is completely invalid and must be redone.
- Using an outdated form edition. Only the October 2024 edition (DS-3053 10-2024) is accepted. Any previous version will be rejected at the acceptance facility.
- Notary seal overlapping signature or text. If the notary’s stamp covers the absent parent’s signature, any name field, or the notary’s own commission expiration date, the form will be flagged as potentially altered and rejected. Ask your notary to place the seal in a clear area.
- Missing photocopy of absent parent’s ID. A clear front-and-back photocopy of the ID presented to the notary is mandatory. Many families forget this and must reschedule.
- Name mismatch. The absent parent’s name on DS-3053 must match exactly the name on the birth certificate and on the photo ID presented to the notary. Even a difference between a full middle name and a middle initial can cause problems.
- Child’s name mismatch with birth certificate. The child’s name on DS-3053 must match the birth certificate exactly, which must also match the DS-11 application.
- Form expired before submission. DS-3053 is only valid for 90 days from notarization. If your passport appointment is delayed past the 90-day window, you must get a new DS-3053 notarized.
- Using a handwritten note instead of DS-3053. Personal letters, texts, emails, and powers of attorney are not accepted. Only the official DS-3053 form (or a notarized statement containing all the same information) is valid.
- Errors corrected with correction fluid or crossed out. Any correction to the form renders it invalid. If you make an error, print and complete a fresh form from scratch.
- Non-U.S. notarization for domestic applications. For applications submitted in the United States, the form must be notarized by a U.S. notary public or a U.S. passport authorizing officer. Foreign notaries are not accepted for U.S.-based passport applications.
Frequently Asked Questions About Form DS-3053
Can I complete DS-3053 online?
No. Form DS-3053 cannot be submitted online. You must download the PDF, complete it (ideally by typing into the fields before printing), and then have it notarized in person. There is no digital submission option for DS-3053.
Can the absent parent mail the notarized DS-3053 to the applying parent?
Yes. The absent parent completes and notarizes the form, then mails the original notarized DS-3053 (along with a photocopy of their ID) to the applying parent. The applying parent brings the original notarized form to the passport acceptance facility appointment. Make sure it arrives before the 90-day validity expires.
Can DS-3053 be notarized online (remote online notarization)?
This depends on current State Department policy, which has evolved. Remote online notarization (RON) has been accepted at some passport facilities but not all. Check with your specific passport acceptance facility or call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 before using remote online notarization, to confirm it will be accepted at your location.
What if the other parent refuses to sign DS-3053?
If the other parent refuses to consent, you have two options. First, complete Section 5 of DS-3053 (Statement of Special Circumstances) explaining why you cannot obtain the other parent’s consent — approval is at the passport officer’s discretion. Second, seek a court order authorizing the passport issuance, which overrides the need for the other parent’s consent. If refusal is related to a custody dispute or international abduction concern, contact a family law attorney immediately.
Does the absent parent need to appear anywhere?
The absent parent does not need to go to the passport acceptance facility. They only need to appear before a notary public (or passport authorizing officer) to sign DS-3053. They can do this at any notary location — a bank, UPS store, law office, library, or elsewhere — and then send the completed, notarized form to the applying parent.
How long does it take to get a child’s passport after submitting DS-3053?
Routine processing for a child’s passport currently takes 6–8 weeks. Expedited processing takes 2–3 weeks and costs an additional $60 fee. For urgent travel within 3 business days, you must make an appointment at a regional passport agency. DS-3053 itself does not affect processing time — as long as it is complete and properly notarized, it simply satisfies the consent requirement and allows the application to proceed normally.
Is DS-3053 required every time a child gets a new passport?
Yes. DS-3053 is required every time you apply for a child’s passport if one parent cannot appear in person. A previously notarized DS-3053 from a prior application cannot be reused. Each new passport application requires a fresh DS-3053 completed and notarized within 90 days of the new application submission.
Can I use DS-3053 to get a child passport renewed?
Children under 16 cannot renew a passport by mail using Form DS-82. All minor passport applications, including renewals, must be submitted in person using Form DS-11. If one parent cannot appear, DS-3053 is required for every new DS-11 application — even if it is technically the child’s second or third passport.
Other Application Forms You May Need
- Form DS-11 — Application for a New U.S. Passport: The main passport application that all children under 16 must file. DS-3053 is always submitted alongside DS-11 when one parent is absent.
- Form DS-82 — U.S. Passport Renewal by Mail: For adult passport renewals only. Children under 16 must use DS-11, not DS-82.
- SS-5 Form — Social Security Card Application: If your child needs a Social Security card alongside their passport, this is the form to use.
- Form N-400 — Application for Naturalization: If a parent is pursuing U.S. citizenship, minor children may automatically derive citizenship — relevant for determining whether a U.S. passport can be issued.
Official Resources
- 📥 Download Form DS-3053 (PDF) — State Department Official Form
- 🔗 State Department: Passports for Children Under 16
- 🔗 State Department: Passports for Minors Ages 16–17
- 🔗 Find a Passport Acceptance Facility Near You
- 📞 National Passport Information Center: 1-877-487-2778 (M–F 8am–10pm ET)
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Passport rules and form editions change periodically. Always download the current DS-3053 from eforms.state.gov and verify requirements at travel.state.gov or by calling the National Passport Information Center before submitting your child’s application.