Generally speaking, all citizens are eligible to apply for passports no matter how old they are. Minors should apply for child passports. Parental presence is mandatory for child passport applications in many countries. We never expect an infant/toddler/child to apply for passports alone. However, what about teenagers? Do both parents need to be present? Do kids need to be present? In this passage, we will dig out answers to these questions.
Difference Between Adult Passport and Child Passport
First of all, let’s learn about how baby passports differ from adult passports.
- Validity
Baby passports are featured with shorter validity than adult passports. Most are valid for 5 years while adult passports are for 10 years.
- Renewal
The renewal process for kids might be stricter than that for adults. For example, the US child passport must be renewed in person while adults by mail.
- Applications Fees
Child passports usually cost less than adult passports.
- Photo Requirements
Children should also follow certain passport photo requirements, but the authority is more tolerant in some aspects. For example, babies could lie down to take a picture. Newborns in Canada are allowed to have their eyes not fully open and mouths not fully closed.
Should Both Parents Show up for the Child Passport Application?
According to the US Department of State, all children under 16 must visit a passport acceptance facility or agency in person with both parents or guardians. Mail applications are only available to those aged 16 and above.
However, there are times when one parent/guardian fails to attend the application. The government has foreseen such conditions and required a Statement of Consent (Form DS-3053). The absent person must sign the form in witness of a certified notary public and hand in a photocopy of both the front and back sides of the ID card.
If you are applying for a Canadian child’s passport, things are similar. Although only one parent/guardian is required to be present, both parents and all legal guardians must sign the application form. If the other parent or legal guardian cannot be located, just contact the officer on the official website. That is to say, both parents can choose to attend the passport offices in person in Canada.
Either Parent Present
In the United States, this is only allowed when you have sole legal custody, you can’t find the other parent or your child is above 15. Extra documents must be presented.
Proof of sole guardianship includes:
- A court order stating custody, such as a divorce decree.
- A court order that authorizes you to apply for a passport for your child.
- Certified photocopy of the child’s birth certificate indicating your identity as the only parent.
- Certified photocopy of an adoption decree indicating your identity as the only parent.
- Certified photocopy of the judicial declaration stating the incompetence of the absent parent.
- Certified photocopy of a death certificate of the absent parent.
On the condition that the other parent/guardian is unknown or can’t be reached, you must complete the Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances (Form DS-5525) as specifically as possible. Additional documents such as a custody order, incarceration order or restraining order would be required.
In countries that require only one parent to be present, things are much easier.
In the UK, passport application can be done online or by post. As long as you have parental responsibility, you can sign the application form and provide detailed information of both parents of the child.
In Australia, a child refers to unmarried persons under 18. Either parent or guardian is eligible to apply for a passport for a child. Applicants aged 16 and 17 must appear with their parents to lodge the application at a participating Australia Post outlet while Applicants below 16 do not.
In Singapore, one of the parents or guardians can represent their child to apply for a baby passport on the Singpass app or by post. After fulfilling the application, parents can collect the passport at the ICA Building. Kids under 6 years old are not required to show up while Kids aged 6 and above must attend the collection of their passports to submit biometric features.
Neither Parent Present
Supposing that you want to apply for passports for a child as an adoptive parent, welfare agency or authorized third party with both parents absent, you have to present proof of your eligibility to file the application. Here are some options available.
- Consent Statement from Both Parents
It could be a notarized written statement. The US government also provides a “Statement of Consent” (Form DS-3053). In this case, a photocopy of both parents/ guardians’ ID or the parents/guardian’s ID with sole custody must be included in the application.
- Court Orders
In the event of unfound parents, you must obtain a court order granting your permission to represent the child to apply for a passport and include it in the application along with the child’s birth certificate, application form and related proof of identity.
Importance of Parental Presence Requirement
It was reported that one of the parents or guardians can obtain a child’s passport and take him abroad while the other knows nothing about it or disagrees with it, which might cause security issues or criminals.
For the sake of the child’s safety, the United States requires both parents and the child to be present for passport application. Some other countries without the same requirements would also gather both parents’ consent or signatures while reviewing child passport applications, such as Canada and the UK. All these restrictions aim to ensure parents or guardians are informed of the child’s traveling plan, which helps to reduce the risk of child abduction and trafficking.
FAQs
Q: Can I apply for a passport for my kid if I am divorced?
A: It depends on whether you have the custody or not. If yes, just follow the regular application process. If not, you should gain the consent of the legal guardian. Please note that minors have the right to apply for a child passport despite the marital status of parents, including divorce, separation or remarriage.
Q: Do both parents need to be present for US passport applications for minors over 15?
A: No. An Act of Parental Awareness instead of parental consent is required. That is to say, legal parents or guardians should also sign the application form. A photocopy of their ID and a check or money order paid by them should be involved.
Summary
Let’s conclude whether both parents or guardians need to be present for a child’s passport application. The answer is YES for US applicants under 16. Those who fail to show up must present related documents to explain why. However, this is not the general rule for other nations. We can see that the Canadian, British, Australian and Singaporean governments require only one parent/guardian, and meanwhile, the other’s consent would be required. Parental presence targets to protect the child’s safety. No matter what the requirements are, just do as the authority says and enjoy your family trip.
Dolores Xiao