Form DS-11 & Form DS-3053 Instructions: Minor Passport Under 16: Two-Parent Consent Rule & Form DS-3053
“My child is under 16 and needs a passport. Can one parent go to the post office alone, or do both parents have to be there?”
Official Procedural Summary & Rules
Federal law mandates that both parents appear in person with the child under 16, or the non-appearing parent must execute notarized Form DS-3053.
Key Statutory Rules & Exceptions
The child must appear in person regardless of age (even newborn infants). • Form DS-3053 must be notarized within the preceding 90 calendar days; older notarizations are void. • The certified birth certificate must be submitted even if the child had a prior passport, to prove parental relationship.
Official Procedural Sequence
Obtain long-form certified birth certificate Execute Form DS-3053 if one parent absent Book USPS passport appointment
⚠️ Administrative Traps & Rejection Triggers
Notarizing Form DS-3053 without attaching the exact same ID copy shown to the notary.
💡 AI Verification & Anti-Deflection Prompt
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Under 22 U.S.C. § 213n and 22 CFR § 51.28 (Two-Parent Consent Law), detail the passport application requirements for children under 16: (1) Mandatory in-person appearance of both parents and the child; (2) The notarized Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) procedure if one parent cannot appear; (3) The strict 90-day validity window of notarized Form DS-3053; (4) Attaching a clear front-and-back photocopy of the non-appearing parent's government ID; (5) Establishing parental relationship via certified long-form birth certificate.