Form DS-3053, the Statement of Consent, is the U.S. Department of State form a parent or legal guardian signs when they cannot appear in person for their child’s U.S. passport application. It must be signed in front of a notary or a passport authorizing officer, it must come with a photocopy of the signer’s photo ID, and it is only valid for 90 days.
Applications for children’s passports are routinely delayed because the DS-3053 was signed too early, sent without the ID copy, or notarized more than 90 days before the appointment. This guide walks through the form section by section, explains who can notarize it, what to do if the other parent is abroad, and when a different form, the DS-5525, is the right choice instead.
Key Takeaways
- What it is: Form DS-3053 is the “Statement of Consent: U.S. Passport Issuance to a Child”. It gives the Department of State a non-applying parent’s or guardian’s sworn permission to issue the passport.
- When you need it: for every passport applicant under 16 whose two parents or legal guardians cannot both appear in person. For 16- and 17-year-olds, a passport officer may ask for it.
- The one rule people break: do not sign Section 4 until you are in front of the notary or passport authorizing officer. The two dates must match.
- What goes with it: a clear photocopy of the front and back of the government-issued photo ID you showed the notary.
- How long it lasts: 90 days from the date the notary signed. After that, you need a new consent.
- Where to get it: download the official DS-3053 PDF from the U.S. Department of State; it is free and two pages long.
What Is Form DS-3053?
Form DS-3053 is a sworn statement in which a child’s legal parent or legal guardian consents to the issuance of a U.S. passport to that child. It is used together with Form DS-11, the main passport application, when one or both parents or guardians cannot come to the passport appointment with the child.
The form exists because of a two-parent consent rule. Under U.S. law, a passport for a child under 16 requires the consent of both legal parents or guardians. The Department of State checks that consent at the appointment. When one parent cannot be there, the DS-3053 is how that parent still gives consent, and the oath before a notary is how the Department knows the signature is genuine.
Two details from the official form instructions are worth knowing from the start. The form is completed in black ink and must not be corrected: if you make an error, you complete a new form. And the form is not the only option. The instructions allow “a separate notarized written statement with all details in this form” to be submitted instead.
When Do You Need a DS-3053?
The need for the form depends on the child’s age and on who can attend the appointment. The table below summarizes the rules from the DS-3053 instructions and the U.S. embassy passport guidance.
| Situation | Is a DS-3053 required? |
|---|---|
| Child under 16, both parents or guardians appear in person with the child | No |
| Child under 16, one parent or guardian cannot appear | Yes, from the absent parent or guardian |
| Child under 16, neither parent can appear, a third party (for example a grandparent) applies | Yes, from both parents or guardians, naming the third party in Section 2 |
| Child aged 16 or 17, one parent cannot appear | Usually a signed note plus an ID copy is enough, but the passport officer can ask for a notarized DS-3053 |
| Applying parent has sole legal custody, or the other parent is deceased | Normally no; submit the court order, the death certificate or a birth certificate listing only one parent instead |
| The other parent cannot be located or reached | No DS-3053 is possible; use Form DS-5525 instead |
The last two rows are where many families lose time. If you already hold a court order granting sole legal custody, the Department of State does not need the other parent’s consent. If you cannot find the other parent at all, no amount of waiting will produce a DS-3053, and the DS-5525 route is the one to take.
Who Signs the DS-3053?
The DS-3053 is signed by the non-applying legal parent or legal guardian, the person who will not be at the appointment. The form calls this person the “affiant”, the same word used on affidavits, because the signer swears an oath that the information is true. If you are unsure what that role involves, our guide to what an affiant is explains it.
Three people appear on the form, and it helps to keep them apart:
- The child (Section 1), whose name must match the DS-11 exactly.
- The adult applying in person with the child (Section 2), who can be the other parent, a legal guardian or an authorized third party.
- The affiant or affiants (Sections 3 and 4), the parent or guardian giving consent and swearing the oath.
If both parents are absent and a third party applies, both parents sign as affiants in Section 4. The form has two signature blocks for exactly this purpose.
How to Fill Out Form DS-3053 Section by Section
The official form is two pages: page one is instructions, page two is the form itself. Print it single-sided, use black ink, and complete it in this order.
Section 1: Child applying for a U.S. passport
Enter the child’s name as LAST, FIRST MIDDLE, exactly as it appears on Form DS-11, and the child’s date of birth in MM-DD-YYYY format. There is a box to check if the child is 16 or 17.
Section 2: Adult applying in person with the child
Enter the name of the adult who will attend the appointment and tick their relationship to the child: legal parent, legal guardian or third party. Spelling matters here. A mismatch between this name and the person who actually attends the appointment is a common reason for a DS-3053 to be rejected.
Section 3: Statement of consent
Print the full name of the non-applying parent or guardian in blank 1 (and blank 2 if both parents are absent). Then add the address, phone number and email for each. The printed consent is unconditional: it covers both a passport book and a passport card. If you want to limit it, write “Issue passport book only” or “Issue passport card only” in the space provided.
Section 4: Oath, signature and identification
Stop here. Section 4 must be signed in front of a passport authorizing officer or a notary, and the form says so in capital letters. The affiant signs and dates, records the type of ID presented (driver’s license, passport, military ID or other), its number, place of issue, issue date and expiry date. The notary or officer then completes their own certificate, which states that the affiant personally appeared, that the identity was verified against the ID, and that the notary is not related to the affiant.
After signing: the ID photocopy
Attach a clear photocopy of the front and back of the ID the affiant showed the notary. The embassy guidance asks for 8.5 by 11 inch paper, single-sided. Without this copy the consent is incomplete, even if the notarization itself is perfect.
Does the DS-3053 Need to Be Notarized?
Yes. A DS-3053 for a child under 16 must be signed and sworn under oath before a passport authorizing officer or a notary. That is the requirement on the form itself, and it is not optional. A DS-3053 that is simply signed at home will be rejected.
Three rules apply to the notarization:
- The dates must match. The affiant’s signature date and the notary’s date must be the same day, because the oath is taken at the moment of signing.
- The notary must not be related to the affiant. A spouse, parent or sibling who happens to be a notary cannot notarize the form.
- The notary must see and record the ID. The identification details in Section 4 are checked against the physical document, and the photocopy you attach must be of that same document.
Who can notarize DS-3053?
Inside the United States, any commissioned notary public can notarize the DS-3053, as can a passport authorizing officer at a passport agency or acceptance facility. The embassy passport wizard also confirms that the Department accepts “electronically notarized statements of consent if it is allowed under certain U.S. state law”, so a remote online notarization by a notary commissioned in a state that permits it is acceptable. You must still bring a printed copy to the appointment.
Outside the United States, the picture depends on the country. The DS-3053 instructions state that in certain countries the form “must be notarized at a U.S. embassy or consulate and cannot be notarized by a local notary public”. In other countries a local notary public is accepted. Check the Local Information section of the U.S. embassy website for the country where the absent parent lives before booking anything.
Notarizing a DS-3053 When a Parent Is Abroad
The most common DS-3053 problem is a parent who lives in another country. The applying parent is in the United States with the child; the other parent is in London, Manila, Dubai or Stockholm. There are three realistic routes.
- U.S. embassy or consulate. Notarial services require an appointment and, as explained in our guide to notarizing documents from abroad, U.S. embassies charge $50 per notarial act. This is the safest route in countries where the Department does not accept local notaries.
- A local notary public. Accepted in many countries. The affiant brings the unsigned form and a government-issued photo ID, signs in front of the notary, and sends the notarized original plus the ID copy to the applying parent. Allow for postage time inside the 90-day window.
- Online notarization. NotaryPublic24 notarizes documents fully online with biometric and ID verification, delivering a notarized PDF within 24 hours and a hard copy on request. Because the DS-3053 requires an oath before the notary and an ID record on the form, and because some embassies only accept U.S. notaries or consular notarization, contact NotaryPublic24 support before ordering and confirm that an online notarization will be accepted for the country and embassy handling your child’s application.
Whichever route you choose, the original notarized form travels with the application. The Department of State wants the physical, notarized document at the appointment, not a scan.
How Long Is a DS-3053 Valid?
A DS-3053 is valid for 90 days from the date the notary or passport authorizing officer signed it. If the passport application is submitted after that, the consent has expired and a new form must be completed and notarized again.
Count the 90 days from the notary’s date, not from the day you filled in Sections 1 to 3. For a parent abroad, that means timing the notarization so the form can be posted and still arrive well inside the window. A consent notarized on 1 March, for example, has to be submitted with the application by 30 May.
What If You Cannot Get the Other Parent’s Consent?
Sometimes a DS-3053 is not possible. The other parent cannot be found, refuses to cooperate, is incarcerated without access to a notary, or is deployed somewhere unreachable. The Department of State has two answers.
Evidence of sole authority
If you have a document that proves you alone can apply, no consent form is needed. The DS-3053 instructions list a court order granting sole legal custody, the other parent’s death certificate, or a birth certificate that lists only one parent. Submit the original or certified copy with the DS-11.
Form DS-5525: Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances
Form DS-5525 is for cases where you “cannot obtain the notarized, written consent of a parent or legal guardian with legal custody”. You explain, in detail and under penalty of perjury, why the other parent cannot be reached. The form distinguishes between an exigent circumstance, a time-sensitive emergency affecting the child’s health, welfare or safety, and a special family circumstance, where the family situation makes consent exceptionally difficult or impossible to obtain.
Two cautions from the form itself: completing a DS-5525 “does not guarantee the child applicant will be issued a U.S. passport”, and if the non-applying parent can be contacted at all, consent on a DS-3053 or a court order is still required. For military families, the embassy wizard adds that a deployed parent can usually still provide a notarized DS-3053, and that a DS-5525 with military orders is reserved for a parent on a special assignment of more than 30 days away from their duty station.
Common Mistakes That Get a DS-3053 Rejected
Passport agencies see the same errors repeatedly. Before you send the form, check it against this list.
| Mistake | Why it fails | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Signing Section 4 at home before seeing the notary | The oath must be taken in front of the notary; the dates will not match | Sign only when the notary asks you to |
| No photocopy of the ID | The form requires a copy of the exact ID shown to the notary | Copy front and back, single-sided |
| Consent older than 90 days | Consent expires 90 days after the notary’s date | Notarize close to the appointment date; redo if it lapses |
| Name in Section 2 does not match the adult who attends | The Department cannot link the consent to the applicant | Confirm who will attend before the absent parent signs |
| Child’s name differs from the DS-11 | The two forms must refer to the same child | Copy the name from the DS-11 exactly |
| Corrections or white-out on the form | The form states that errors require a new form | Print and complete a fresh copy |
| Notary is a relative of the affiant | The certificate requires an unrelated notary | Use an independent notary |
| Local notary used in a country that requires consular notarization | The embassy will not accept the form | Check the embassy’s Local Information page first |
DS-3053 and Other Travel Documents for Children
A DS-3053 covers one thing only: consent to issue a passport. It does not give anyone permission to travel with the child, to make medical decisions, or to act on the child’s behalf once the passport exists. Families who are arranging a child’s international travel usually need one or two further documents.
A minor travel consent form is the letter a parent signs so that a child can leave the country with one parent, a relative or a group. Airlines and border officers ask for it, and many countries expect it to be notarized; our guide to minor travel consent notarization explains when that applies. If the child will stay abroad for a period, a power of attorney for a minor child lets a trusted adult handle school, medical and everyday decisions.
Unlike the DS-3053, these documents are not tied to a U.S. government form, and NotaryPublic24 notarizes them online every day, including with an Apostille when the destination country requires one.
How NotaryPublic24 Can Help
NotaryPublic24 provides online notarization for parents and families who need documents accepted across borders. The process is simple: upload the document, complete the checkout, and verify your identity with a biometric and ID check. A qualified Notary Public is appointed to the case, and the notarized document is delivered as a secure PDF within 24 hours, with a hard copy available on request.
For a DS-3053, start by contacting NotaryPublic24 support with the country where the absent parent lives and the embassy or passport agency handling the application. Support confirms within minutes whether online notarization will be accepted in that case or whether a consular appointment is the right route. For the travel consent, power of attorney and affidavit documents that often accompany a child’s passport application, you can order notarization online directly, and add an Apostille if the document will be used in another country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DS-3053 form for?
Form DS-3053 is the Statement of Consent used with a U.S. passport application for a child. A legal parent or guardian who cannot attend the passport appointment uses it to give sworn consent to the passport being issued. Both parents can also use it to authorize a third party to apply with the child.
Can you fill out DS-3053 online?
You can download the DS-3053 PDF from eforms.state.gov and type into it before printing, but you cannot submit it online. Section 4 must be signed in front of a notary or passport authorizing officer, and a printed, notarized original goes with the child’s DS-11 application.
Can I print form DS-3053?
Yes. The DS-3053 is a free two-page PDF published by the U.S. Department of State. Print it single-sided on 8.5 by 11 inch paper and complete it in black ink. Because the form cannot be corrected, print a spare copy in case you make a mistake.
Who can notarize DS-3053?
Any commissioned notary public, a passport authorizing officer, or a U.S. consular officer can notarize a DS-3053. The notary must not be related to the signer. Online notarization is accepted where U.S. state law allows it, and in some countries abroad the form must be notarized at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Where can I get a DS-3053 form?
The official DS-3053 is available free from the U.S. Department of State at eforms.state.gov and through the passport forms page on travel.state.gov. Avoid paid third-party “fillable” versions. The Department also accepts a separate notarized written statement containing all the details on the form.
Does DS-3053 need to be notarized?
Yes. For a child under 16, the DS-3053 must be signed and sworn under oath before a notary or a passport authorizing officer, with a photocopy of the signer’s photo ID attached. An unnotarized DS-3053 will be rejected and the passport application delayed.
How do I get my child’s passport without the father’s signature?
If the father cannot attend, he can sign a notarized DS-3053. If you have sole legal custody or he is deceased, submit the court order or death certificate instead. If he cannot be located or reached at all, complete Form DS-5525, the Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances.
How long is a DS-3053 form good for?
A DS-3053 is valid for 90 days from the date the notary or passport authorizing officer signed it. If the child’s passport application is not submitted within those 90 days, the consent expires and a new DS-3053 must be completed and notarized.