Can a 16-year-old get her passport without father's permission?

by Angela
(Phoenix, Az United States)

Question: I am 16 and my parents are separated. My father is living in a different state, he never fought custody, and I live with my mother. My mother, sister, brother (both of legal age), and I want to go to Mexico in the summer. Do I need my father's permission to get a passport and leave the U.S.?

Answer: Minors age 16 and 17 are not required to have their parents present when applying for a new passport. Parental consent may be requested. This depends on the passport agent that attends you at the time. If your mother is present, it is likely that a request for your father's consent will not be requested. However, there is no guarantee of this.

Note, many countries require minor children traveling with only one parent to carry notarized consent to travel from the non-present parent. For a list of requirements to obtain a passport, click the link below.

New Passport Requirements

For a list of location where you can apply in Phoenix, click the link below.

Phoenix Passport Offices