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Form DS-3053 : Statement of Consent or Special Circumstance for Minor's Passport

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How to Submit Form DS-3053:

The instructions are pretty straight-forward and easy to understand. There are three steps to the process.

STEP 1: Complete and Print Form

Applicants should use black ink to complete Form DS-3053. Information provided on this form should be complete and correct. Errors on the application or illegible writing can lead to delays in the process.

If you are the non-applying parent or guardian who is consenting to the issuance of a passport for your minor child, you should complete item 4. Complete the part but it must be signed in front of a notary public. Click the link to open the form in PDF format: Form DS-3053 : Statement of Consent or Special Circumstance for Minor Passport (PDF) .

STEP 2: Get Form DS-3053 Notarized & Submit Photocopy of the ID (Only with Statement of Consent)

It is only necessary to complete step 2 if you are submitting Form DS-3053 as a Statement of Consent. When used as a Statement of Special Circumstances, it is not necessary to have the form notarized. If you are a non-applying parent or guardian consenting to the issuance of a passport for a minor child, you must:

• Sign and date Form DS-3053 in the presence of a Certified Notary Public
• Submit a photocopy of the front and back side of your ID with Form DS-3053

STEP 3: Submit Form DS-3053 with Completed Form DS-11 and Supporting Documents

In all cases, Form DS-3053 must be submitted along with Form DS-11: Application for a New U.S. Passport and required supporting documents at an application acceptance facility or, in cases of urgent travel needs, a regional passport agency .

A Statement of Consent from a non-applying parent or guardian must be submitted with the minor's passport application within 3 months of the date it was notarized to be valid. A new, notarized Statement of Consent from the non-applying parent will be required for future applications.

Related Articles: Minor's Passport and Consent

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DS-3053: Statement of Consent or Special Circumstance for a Minor Passport

What is the form DS 3053 Statement of Consent, and when do you use this application form? The DS-3053: Statement of Consent or Special Circumstances for Minor Passport is necessary when one parent is applying for a passport for a child without the other parent or has sole custody of the minor. You must download the DS-3053 in PDF form to use this application. Please fill it out using black ink.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Where to Download the DS-3053 Application Form?

The DS-3053 Statement of Consent Application Form is available on the State Department website . You can also pick up a copy at any passport acceptance facility or U.S. embassy/consulate overseas.

Requirements for DS-3053 Statement of Consent for Child Passport

•  You are a non-applying parent or guardian providing written consent for a minor U.S. citizen child to apply for a United States passport because you are unable to appear in person with your child (Statement of Consent) or
• You are an applying parent or guardian, and the written consent of a non-applying parent or guardian.

When To Use The DS-3053 Form?

You must use the DS-3053 Form any time one parent has sole custody and is applying for your child’s passport. It is also required if only one parent is present to apply for the passport or if both parents cannot be present together at the time of application.

The Absence of a Parent/Guardian

The absent parent/guardian must complete the DS-3053 form and sign it before a notary public. Include a photocopy of both sides of an identification card along with the form. Please submit the form within three months of notarizing it.

A Parent/Guardian is not in the Picture.

If one parent has no address or is imprisoned, submit Form DS-5525, “Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances.” When submitting this form, provide as much detail as possible and any supporting documents. Documents like a custody order, incarceration order, or restraining order form.

Both Parents/Guardian Are Absent

In the absence of both parents/guardians, the person applying must have a written notarized document from both parties granting authorization. Include a photocopy of both parents/guardians’ identification cards. Proof of sole custody must be provided when the statement is from one parent/guardian. Processing time for passports is approximately four to six weeks. Expedited processing options are available for additional fees.

REMINDER: Complete all documents in black ink and sign with the acceptance agent.

How to use the DS-3053 Parental Consent Passport Form?

Both parents must appear with the minor when applying for a little passport. Use Form DS-3053 when one parent or guardian is not present with the child. In such case, do the following:

•  Date and Sign the DS 3053 Parental Consent Passport Form in the presence of a certified notary public and
•  Submit a photocopy of the front and back of the exact Identification shown at the Notary Public with the DS-3053 form.

How to use the DS-3053 Statement of Special Circumstances?

Please note: This application form should be filled out using black ink. A Certified Public Notary should witness the signature.

Step 1: Complete Items 1 through 3: The minor’s information, such as name, date of birth, and relationship. Step 2: Complete Item 4a Statement of Consent. If you are a non-applying parent or guardian, submit the minor’s application. Step 3: Notary Public should fill out this section, the Notary Public Information. DS-3053 must be submitted along with Form DS-11 at an approved agency or acceptance facility within three months of the date it was notarized. Notarize any future Statement of Consent from the non-applying parent.

Processing time for passports is approximately four to six weeks. Expedited processing options are available for additional fees.

Common Questions using the Form DS-3053

Question: Can I use a copy of Form DS-3053? My daughter’s dad lived in Mexico and filled out the form at the embassy. Can he email it to me, and I print it and take it to the post office? Will they accept a copy of the notarized form?

Answer: You  need a clean copy of the original notarized DS-3053 Application form.

Question:  My daughter’s passport expired last year. She is now 14 years old. When I got her passport, her mother came with us for the DS-3053 consent. Can I do a regular DS-82 renewal, or do I need another DS-3053? I am in NC, and her mother is in NV.

Answer: You will need her mother to sign the DS-11 Application Form to renew the child’s passport.

Question:  I am taking my 14-year-old niece without her mother on vacation. I am filling out the form DS-11 to get her passport. Her father is filling are out the  DS-3053 Application form. I  am going to the Regional Passport Agency and taking the following items:  birth certificate and two 2×2 passport pics. What else do we need to bring?

Answer: If you are going to a passport agency, you might need to bring a letter for emergency travel plans. Additionally, you will need to get the following information expired passport , birth certificate, passport photo, and DS-3053. Refer to our child passport section for more details .

Question:  Is it possible if the father sends me a notarized clear copy by email (DS-3053)or has an original?

Answer: Yes, having a clean copy of the notarized document of the DS-3053 is ok.

Question: My child’s father is in Italy. Can he use an Italian notary(in English) for the Ds-3053 consent form?

Answer: Yes, it should work as long as it is a certified notary. But to be sure, you should go to the U.S. embassy in Italy and get the application notaries.

Question:  Do you need the DS-3053 when renewing a passport for a child who is 16 years of age?

Answer: If the child is 16 years old, you will no longer need the ds-3053. The child would be able to apply for a ten years adult passport.

Question: My husband is in Mexico, and I want to travel with my newborn, but I need the DS-3053. If he faxes it to me, would that work?

Answer: If your child is a U.S. citizen, you will need the ds-3053 to be clear it would be better if he Fedexes the application to you.

Question:  I am applying for a renewal passport for my daughter. We live in Mexico. My husband will not attend the appointment, so I need to take the notarized consent form DS-3053. Can I notarize the form in Chiapas, where I live, and then take it with me to the appointment, or should I do it at the consulate?

Answer: You will need to notarize it by a certified notary, but we recommend doing it at the consulate to avoid denial.

Question:  Can I print Form DS-3053 on both sides for notarization, or should I do it on two separate sheets of paper?

Answer: Print the application on two separate sheets.

Question:  My daughter’s father does not live in the US, and I haven’t heard from him in years. My daughter is six years old, and we’re planning to travel next month. How do I renew her passport without the DS-3053 form? I don’t know where he is.

Answer: You will need to get sole physical custody of the child to apply without the DS-3053 form.

Question:  I have sole physical custody but 50% legal. Do I need the other parent to fill out the DS-3053 or just proof of guardianship?

Answer: You will need to apply with the DS-3053 Application form as you have 50% legal custody.

Question: About the DS-3053 form, if one of the child’s guardians cannot be present because they are currently overseas, will a notary (police, certified notary) from the country suffice for the form to be valid. Or does the notary have to be here in the USA? Should the parent present with the child use a local notary, can that notary somehow contact the parent that is currently overseas. In short, I am asking if a notary from outside of the USA is recognized and valid on the DS-3053 form.

Answer: You could use a notary from outside the United States, but it would have to be a certified notary in English. We recommend you go to the U.S. consulate and get the application notaries.

Question:  My three sons & I plan to go to Greece at the end of July. They all had minor passports issued in 2001. My two oldest are 22 & 20 yrs old. My youngest is 16yrs old. We got divorced, and he lives 8hrs away. He does not have a license anymore. Will, I still need to get him to sign the DS-3053 for my 16yr old or since he will be 17yrs old in Oct. and he lives w/ me 365/yr? I don’t receive regular child support .

Answer: Because your son is 16 years old, he would be able to apply for a new adult passport and would not need the ds-3053 application form.

Question:  I am the Legal Guardian of my granddaughter. Is it possible for me to have her passport processed with only me present and notarized copies of DS-3053 from both parents, or just one parent attend along with a DS-3053 from the second parent?

Answer: You will be able to apply using the DS-11 Application form without the DS-3053 because you are the child’s legal parent.

Question:  If I am renewing a child’s passport and filling out the DS-3053, do I still need notarized “written” consent from the other parent. Also, does the child need to be present when I submit the renewal application?

Answer: You would not be able to renew a child’s passport. You would have to apply for a new child passport which expires every five years. Yes, the child would need to be present to sign the DS-11 form.

Question:  My husband is overseas, and I wondered if he could sign and notarize form DS-3053 and fax it to me or send me a copy of my email. I have already got my appointment and then found out that the photocopy has to be three months old and I don’t have to receive a new one by mail. Would a copy of a new notarized form be enough?

Answer: It is better to get a scanned copy of the DS-3053 as the application needs to be a clean copy.

Question:  Is a DS-3053 necessary to obtain a passport card for minors? Also, is a passport card essential for infants?

Answer: Yes! You still need the consent statement if you are applying for a passport card.

Question:   My daughter, Jessica  (then 15 yrs old), and I got new passports early last summer. We moved in late last August, and unfortunately, Jessica’s key has been missing since! Thinking it Was somewhere in the new house, but we have not located it yet, and we have a cruise booked for August 19th. I was wondering what my best options are. Last year I needed a notarized DS-3053 from her father. Do I still need that since she is currently 16, almost 17? I heard there are same-day facilities in Philadelphia & NY. Is that an option for us? Please advise!

Answer: You would need to use the DS-64 Application for Lost Passport and DS-11 for New Passport as the child could now apply for an adult passport.  

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