Free Passport Consent Form — Minor Child Passport Authorization
Parental consent form for a minor child (under 16) applying for a US passport when only one parent can appear in person. Follows the DS-3053 Statement of Consent format required by the US State Department. Notary section included. Instant PDF download, no signup.
Fill Out & Download Free PDF ↓A passport consent form — officially known as Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16 — is a US State Department document that the absent parent or guardian must complete and notarize when a child under 16 applies for a US passport and only one parent appears at the application facility.
US federal law (22 U.S.C. § 213a and State Department regulations) requires that both parents or guardians consent to the issuance of a passport for a minor under 16. This requirement exists to prevent international parental abduction — a significant concern tracked by the State Department's Office of Children's Issues. When only one parent can appear in person, the absent parent must provide Form DS-3053 as their documented consent.
This is separate from (but often used alongside) a child travel consent form and a travel consent letter — which are used during the actual trip, while the passport consent form is used only at the time of the passport application.
One Parent Can't Appear
The absent parent lives in a different state, is traveling for work, or is otherwise unable to appear at the passport acceptance facility in person. DS-3053 must be notarized and submitted by the absent parent.
Separated or Divorced Parents
Even if parents are separated or divorced, both must still consent unless a court order grants one parent sole authority to obtain a passport. A copy of the relevant custody order must be provided.
Passport Renewal for Under-16
Passport renewal for a child under 16 requires the same dual-consent process as a new application. Both parents must appear or the absent parent must provide a notarized DS-3053.
Preparing Ahead of Appointment
Use this form to gather and organize all required information before your passport appointment, ensuring the absent parent has completed everything needed in advance.
There are specific situations where the absent parent's notarized consent is not needed. In these cases, provide the alternative documentation instead:
- Sole legal custody: The applying parent has a court order granting sole legal custody. Provide a certified copy of the court order.
- Other parent is deceased: Provide a certified copy of the death certificate.
- Other parent's whereabouts unknown: Complete Form DS-5525 (Statement of Special Circumstances) explaining the situation.
- Court order expressly permits issuance: Provide a certified copy of the court order specifically authorizing passport issuance.
- Child is 16 or 17: Teens 16–17 do not require parental consent to apply for a passport (though a parent must still sign the DS-11 application form).
Passport Consent Form Preparation — DS-3053 Format
Fill in all sections to generate a printable preparation copy. You must also complete the official DS-3053 from travel.state.gov and have it notarized. All data stays in your browser only.
✍ Absent parent must sign here in ink — in front of a notary public
Do NOT sign before appearing before a notary — the notary must witness the signature
Notary Public Acknowledgment — Required for Official DS-3053
The absent parent must appear before a licensed notary public to have this consent form notarized. Notarization confirms that the signer's identity was verified and the signature was made voluntarily.
On the date shown above, before me personally appeared the above-named absent parent, known to me or proved on satisfactory evidence to be the person whose name is subscribed to this instrument, and they acknowledged executing the same as their free and voluntary act.
🔒 All data stays in your browser. Nothing is stored on our servers. Always obtain the official DS-3053 from travel.state.gov.
Here is exactly what you need to do to apply for a US passport for a child under 16 when only one parent can attend the appointment:
Complete Form DS-11 (Passport Application)
Download Form DS-11 from travel.state.gov. Do NOT sign it before your appointment — the acceptance agent must witness the signature. Both the child and parent applying in person will sign at the facility.
Absent Parent Completes and Notarizes DS-3053
The absent parent downloads the official Form DS-3053 from travel.state.gov, completes it, and has it notarized in person at any bank, UPS Store, law office, or public library offering notary services. The form is valid for 3 months from the notarization date.
Gather Required Documents
Collect: child's US citizenship evidence (birth certificate with raised seal, consular report of birth abroad, or naturalization certificate); photo ID for the applying parent; two passport photos of the child; proof of relationship (birth certificate naming both parents); and the completed notarized DS-3053 from the absent parent.
Schedule a Passport Acceptance Appointment
First-time child passport applications must be submitted in person at a passport acceptance facility (post office, county clerk, or courthouse). Use the State Department's locator to find the nearest facility and book an appointment.
Attend the Appointment with the Child
Both the applying parent and the child must appear in person. Bring all original documents plus photocopies. Submit the notarized DS-3053 from the absent parent. Pay the applicable fees (currently $135 for a book + $35 execution fee as of 2025).
Track Your Application
Use the State Department's online passport tracker to monitor the status of the application. Standard processing currently takes 6–8 weeks; expedited service takes 2–3 weeks with an additional $60 fee.
After your child's passport is issued, you may also need these related forms for their trips: