How can my child get a passport if her mother cannot be located?

by Larry
(Savannah, GA)

I am a divorced father with legal custody of my three daughters. I want a passport for my oldest daughter, age 14. According to the divorce decree her mother must sign for it as well as I. The mother has not exercised her right for visitation for 2 years and she cannot be located. I have tried in vain to locate her but all certified letters come back as "addressee unknown".

My daughter has an opportunity to take an educational trip to Europe with her grandparents but of course cannot go without a passport.

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Larry,

There is space on the Statement of Parental Consent form DS-3053 to explain special circumstances. However, given the fact that the divorce decree states that the mother must sign in order for your daughter to apply for a passport, it is not likely to be accepted.

We recommend that you seek to obtain a court order from a judge that authorizes you to get a passport for your daughter and permits her to travel with her grandparents.

Please consult your lawyer concerning how to do this.

Best regards,

William