Getting a passport for your child when one parent is absent can be challenging. However, if you know the required steps and legal considerations, you will be able to do it with ease. If you are a citizen of the United States, keep reading the post to find out how to get a child passport with one parent absent.
Getting a Child Passport with One Parent Absent
The steps to get a child passport with one parent absent in the United States is the same if both parents are present, except you will have to provide more documents. In order to get a child passport with one parent absent, here is the guide to follow:
Step 1: Fill out Form DS-11 and print it
The first thing that you have to do to get a child passport with one parent absent is to fill out Form DS-11. Feel free to fill it on a desktop or a laptop by using the Form Filler tool that can be found at https://pptform.state.gov/. In case you are experiencing technical issues with the Form Filler, you are suggested to download the PDF version at https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds11_pdf.PDF.
Make sure to sign the form only after a passport acceptance agent or employee asks you to do so. Once you have filled out the form, please print it. Apparently, you are allowed to apply for a passport book, a passport card, or both. If you want to get a larger passport book that has more visa pages, please check the “large book” box at the top of the DS-11. There is no extra cost to do it so there is nothing to worry about.
Step 2: Get evidence of U.S. citizenship and a photocopy
The evidence of the U.S. citizenship that you can submit include:
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- The U.S. birth certificate: For those who want to submit this, keep in mind that it is a must for the document to be issued by the city, county, or state of birth; list the full name, date of birth, and place of birth of the applicant; list the full names of the parent(s); mention the date filed with registrar’s office; has the signature of the registrar; and there is the seal or stamp of the city, county, or state that issued it.
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Full validity, undamaged U.S. passport: In case you have no idea what full validity means, it means the c=document is or used to be valid for 5 years for children under the age of 16. If you choose to submit this, remember that you also have to provide a document that lists the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child, such as a birth certificate.
It is worth noting that only physical evidence and a photocopy of the document are allowed to be submitted. In other words, you are not allowed to submit the digital version of it, including a mobile or electronic one. If it is unlikely for you to submit one of the documents mentioned above, go to https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/citizenship-evidence.html.
Step 3: Show your relationship to your child
You are required to submit a document that lists the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child. The types of documents that you can submit include:
Do not forget to submit only the original or certified copies version of the document, meaning photocopies are not allowed. It is fine if you and your child have different last names as long as your relationship to them is shown in the document. If your name is different compared to the one on the document that shows your relationship with your child, please include evidence that you have changed your name legally.
Step 4: Get a photo ID and a photocopy
A physical photo ID and a photocopy of it has to be brought. You are recommended to bring the second photo ID if the state where the photo ID is from and the state applying is different. The list of photo IDs that can be brought include:
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- Valid or expired, undamaged U.S. passport book or passport card
- Valid driver’s license or enhanced driver’s license with photo
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Government employee ID
- Current or valid foreign passport
- Matricula Consular or Mexican Consular ID used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
- U.S. Permanent Resident Card or Green Card used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
- Trusted Traveler IDs, such as SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, or Global Entry cards
- Enhanced Tribal Cars and Native American tribal photo IDs
Step 5: Show more documents
If one parent is absent but both have custody, submit a Statement of Consent: Form DS-3053. In some countries, this form has to be notarized at a U.S. embassy or consulate, meaning it cannot be notarized by a local notary public. The countries in question include Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Moldova, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Yemen. It is a must for the parent that is absent to sign and date the form in front of a certified notary public and submit a photocopy of the photo ID provided to the notary public.
If only one parent has sole legal custody or only one parent is remained, submit one of the documents below:
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- A court order that grant the parent sole custody or gives them permission to apply for the passport of the child
- Certified copy of the birth certificate of the child or adoption decree that lists the parent as the only parent
- Certified copy of the death certificate of the parent that is unable to show up in person
- A certified copy of the court order that says the office or institution is the guardian of the child (in case the legal guardian of the child is an office or private institution)
- Written approval given by the office or institution that the parent applying for the child can apply and a complete Form DS-3053 (in case the legal guardian of the child is an office or private institution)
- The employee ID of the parent applying that shows they work for the office or institution (in case the legal guardian of the child is an office or private institution)
- Certified copy of the judicial declaration of the parent that is unable to show up in person
If one parent is absent because there is no way to find her or him but both have custody, submit a Statement of Special Family Circumstances: DS-5525. In this case, more evidence may also be needed, such as a custody order, an incarceration order, or a restraining order to protect against international parental child abduction. If the reason why one parent is absent is due to deployment by the military, that parent may have to provide a notarized Form DS-3053.
Step 6: Provide a photo
You are required to include a photo with the application of your child. To find the requirements and examples of the photos, go to https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html.
Step 7: Calculate fees
The fees to get a child password is as follows:
Document |
Form | Application Fee |
Execution (Acceptance) Fee |
Passport book | DS-11 | $100 | $35 |
Passport card | DS-11 | $15 | $35 |
Passport book and card | DS-11 | $115 | $35 |
The application fee has to be paid to the U.S. Department of State. As for the execution (acceptance) one, it goes to the facility that takes the application. If you want expedited service, you will have to pay an additional fee of $60. If you want your document to be shipped in one or two days after it is issued, pay $21.36 more to your application fee.
Step 8: Locate a location to apply
If you live in the United States and want to travel in more than three weeks, go to a passport acceptance facility at https://iafdb.travel.state.gov to find out whether or not making an appointment is needed. If you are in the country and want to travel in less than three weeks, apply at a passport or center by making an appointment at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/passport-agencies.html. As for those who live outside the country, reach out to your U.S. embassy or consulate. Go to https://www.usembassy.gov to find the contact.
Step 9: Track your application status
To be able to get updates about the status of your application, just subscribe to email updates. The status will usually change into “In Process” two weeks after the application is applied.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, getting a passport for your child with one parent absent requires you to pay more attention to legal requirements and proper documentation. By following the guide above, it would be easier for you to navigate the process. In case you face some issues, do not hesitate to seek help from a legal professional.