Is father's signature required to get passprt for a child?

by Paulajean
(Riverside, Ca, USA)

Question: My daughter's father is not on her birth certificate, but he pays child support. Also, paternity has been established. He refuses to sign the documents to help get her passport. I have sent him the document through UPS and postal.

Thank you in advance.

Answer: Establishing paternity does not necessarily establish custody. Paying child support does not establish custody. If you have sole legal custody, then you can apply for a passport for your daughter without the consent of the father. All you need to do is present the birth certificate without the father's name on it when you submit the application.

It is possible to establish paternity with child custody, parenting time and support. If the father was granted shared custody at the time paternity was established, then you must obtain his written, notarized consent in order to apply for your daughter's passport.

Note, many countries require one parent traveling with a minor child to carry notarized consent to travel from the non-traveling parent or evidence of sole legal custody. If you travel with your daughter but without the father, you need to take the birth certificate with you to prove sole legal custody. If the father has joint custody, you need to take a notarized consent to travel form from him.

Please consult your lawyer for legal advice. For more information, click the link below.

Apply for a Child's Passport