Fill Out Form DS-3053 Online
Statement of Consent: Issuance of a U.S. Passport to a Minor Under Age 16
U.S. Department of State
Provides a non-applying parent's notarized consent for issuing a passport to a child under 16.
Reviewed July 2026
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Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent, is the U.S. Department of State form a parent or guardian uses to consent to a passport for a child under 16 when they cannot appear in person with the child. Because both parents or guardians must normally authorize a minor's passport, the absent parent's notarized statement fills the gap.
You can fill out Form DS-3053 in the Universal PDF editor and download the completed PDF. Do not sign it in advance: the non-applying parent must sign in front of a notary public.
What is Form DS-3053 used for
U.S. law requires the consent of both parents or legal guardians before a passport is issued to a child under age 16. When one parent applies in person with the child and the other cannot attend, the absent parent completes the DS-3053 to give written, notarized consent. The form is then submitted with the child's DS-11 application.
A related section of the form also covers requests for special circumstances when one parent cannot be located, though applicants in that situation may need additional documentation such as custody orders.
Who files Form DS-3053
The parent or legal guardian who will not appear at the child's passport appointment completes and signs the form. The applying parent brings the notarized statement, with a photocopy of both sides of the ID the absent parent showed the notary, to the acceptance facility.
If one parent has sole legal authority, they submit evidence of that authority, such as a court order, instead of a DS-3053. If neither parent can appear, a third party may apply with a notarized statement from both parents or guardians authorizing them.
How to fill out Form DS-3053
Accuracy matters because the acceptance agent matches the form against the child's application and the ID photocopy.
- Enter the child's full name and date of birth exactly as they appear on the DS-11
- The non-applying parent or guardian enters their own name and identifying information
- Check the statement that applies, consenting to issuance of a passport book, card, or both
- Sign and date only in the presence of a notary public, who completes the notarization block
- Attach a photocopy of the front and back of the ID presented to the notary
How to submit it
The DS-3053 is never submitted on its own. The applying parent includes it with the child's in-person DS-11 application at the acceptance facility or passport agency. Consent statements are time-sensitive, so have the form notarized close to the application date and check travel.state.gov for the current recency requirement.
Frequently asked questions
When a child under 16 applies for a passport and one parent or legal guardian cannot appear in person at the appointment. The absent parent provides notarized consent on this form instead.
Yes. The non-applying parent must sign in front of a notary public and attach a photocopy of the front and back of the ID shown to the notary. An unnotarized statement will not be accepted.
The State Department treats consent as time-sensitive, so have the form notarized shortly before applying. Check travel.state.gov for the current rule on how recently it must be signed.
You may be able to submit Form DS-5525, Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances, explaining why the other parent's consent is unavailable. Custody documentation can also establish sole authority.
No. The two-parent consent requirement applies to children under 16. Applicants aged 16 and 17 apply with their own ID, and parental awareness is shown in other ways, such as a parent attending or providing a signed statement.
Yes. The form lets the non-applying parent specify consent for the passport book, the passport card, or both products.
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