Comments for Does a minor under the age of 16 need to be present at the time of application? Click here to add your own comments

Does my child have to be there? by: Anonymous Question: Does my child have to be present when I am renewing his passport? Not a new passport just renewing an old one. Answer: Passports for minors cannot be renewed. You need to apply for the child's new passport the same way you applied for the previous one. The child needs to be present when the application is submitted.

Can Parent renew passport without child present? by: Anonymous Question: We are living outside the US and my daughters passport expired. Can I come to the US and renew it without her present? She's 5 years old. Answer: The child needs to be present when an application for a new passport in her name is submitted. You may do it outside of the United States if she cannot travel. Please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate located in the country where you currently reside for assistance.

Restraining order by: Anonymous Question: I have a restraining order against my son's father and he hasn’t been able to see/contact either of us since my son was 2 years old. He is now almost 10 years old. Would I be able to get a passport for my son considering we CAN’T have contact with his father? Answer: You can. In addition to the requirements for the child's passport, please submit Form DS-5525 plus a copy of the restraining order.

Passport by: Anonymous Question: If both parents go in person, do they still need a notarized letter? Does the child need to be present? The child will be out of the state when the appointment was scheduled. Answer: The child needs to be present when the application is submitted. A notarized statement is no longer required if both parents will be present for the submission.

help with how to submit DS-3053 form by: Anonymous Question: My wife lives in Angola with my daughter who has American citizenship and an American passport. She is 15 years of age. Her passport needs renewing. I live and work in the UK. I am Portuguese. My daughter is coming to live with me in the UK to study. How do I get the form DS-3053 to my wife in Angola after it has been notarized and what other documents with the U.S. passport office require from me so that my daughter can renew her passport? Thanks. Answer: First of all, passports issued to minors cannot be renewed. The mother needs to apply for the child's passport with the same requirements submitted the first time. 1. Form DS-11 2. Evidence of U.S. citizenship 3. Photocopies of both parents' IDs 4. Proof of parental relationship 5. One new passport photo 6. Payment for fees You need to mail the notarized Form DS-3053 with a photocopy of your ID to the mother so she can submit it with the rest of the application requirements. She may contact the U.S. Embassy in Luanda for further assistance.

Only one parent has custody by: Anonymous Question: My husband has no custody. Does he still have to be present? He is not available and has no connection with my son for the last 2 years. Answer: If you can provide evidence that you have SOLE LEGAL CUSTODY, you may apply for your child's passport without the father's presence or consent.

Travel overseas with kids by: Mrs.Jobson Question: I want to travel with my kids overseas. They are minors and their biological father hasn't seen them and didn't even bother to visit them. He hardly supports them either. I was never married to him; I had been married to a foreigner for 2 years. What I'm concerned is what requirements I need to provide and do I need my kids biological father's letter of approval to travel overseas? Answer: If the father's name is on the children's birth certificates, you will need his notarized statement of consent plus a photocopy of his ID to apply for their passports. The need for a consent to travel overseas depends on the requirements of the country you plan to visit.

Passport by: Anonymous Question: Do both parents have to be present if the father is not on the birth certificate, not involved, and living in a different state? Answer: Only the parent listed on the birth certificate needs to be present.

Passport by: Anonymous Question: How do we get my son's passport renewed if his father is in Cape Town and we are in Johannesburg? We need to fly out the country and need his passport renewed. Answer: The father can mail you a notarized Form DS-3053 which you can submit with the rest of the requirements for your child's passport at the U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg. He can have the form notarized at the U.S. Consulate General in Cape Town.

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