What if one parent or guardian can't come to the appointment?

Your Application & Documents

Both parents or guardians are generally required to be present when applying for a passport for a child who is under 16. (For information on applying for passports for children who are 16–17 years old, please read the information provided here.) If that's not possible, additional documentation will be needed depending on your situation.

Situation	What to Submit
One parent can't attend (shared custody)	Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) that you have signed before a notary public A photocopy of the absent parent's photo ID
You have sole custody or are the only parent	One of the following: A court order granting sole custody or passport permission A certified birth certificate or adoption decree listing only you A certified death certificate of the absent parent
A legal guardian is an institution or agency	A certified court order naming the institution as guardian Written approval from the institution, plus a completed DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) Employee ID of the individual applying
The other parent is absent due to incapacity	A certified judicial declaration of incompetence
The other parent's whereabouts are unknown (shared custody)	Form DS-5525 (Statement of Special Family Circumstances) Note: The U.S. Department of State may request additional documentation, such as a custody or incarceration order
Military deployment (non-applying parent)	Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) that you have signed before a notary public
Neither parent can attend	Photocopies of both parents' photo IDs And one of the following: Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) that you have signed before a notary public A notarized statement from both parents authorizing another person (such as a grandparent) to apply

Note: Form DS-3053 and any other notarized statements must be submitted within three months of the date they were signed.

What if one parent or guardian can't come to the appointment?

UCR Campus Business Services (CBS)

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