Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent: U.S. Passport Issuance to a Child, is the U.S. Department of State form that records a non-applying parent's or legal guardian's consent to a child's passport. It is used with the passport application (Form DS-11) when one or both legal parents or legal guardians cannot appear in person with the minor child. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the affiant must still sign it in front of a passport authorizing officer or notary, and the Department of State publishes the original PDF at eforms.state.gov.
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What is DS-3053?
Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent: U.S. Passport Issuance to a Child, is the U.S. Department of State form on which a child's non-applying legal parent or legal guardian, called the "affiant," swears that they consent to the issuance of a U.S. passport to the minor child.
The form is used with a U.S. passport application (Form DS-11). It also lets both legal parents or legal guardians authorize a third party to apply for the child's passport on their behalf. A separate notarized written statement containing all the details in this form may be submitted instead of it.
The form has four sections:
- Section 1: the child applying for the passport.
- Section 2: the adult applying in person with a child under age 16, and that adult's relationship to the child.
- Section 3: the statement of consent, with the name, address and contact details of each non-applying parent or guardian.
- Section 4: the oath or affirmation, signed in front of a passport authorizing officer or notary.
The consent is unconditional regarding passport validity and travel. It covers both a passport book and a passport card unless Section 3 says otherwise in writing, for example "issue passport book only" or "issue passport card only." The form carries OMB Control No. 1405-0129 and is not the passport application itself, which is Form DS-11.
Who needs to file DS-3053?
The main group is the legal parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of a child who is applying for a U.S. passport and who cannot appear in person with the child. They complete Sections 1 to 3 and sign Section 4 as affiants.
How the form applies by age:
- Children under age 16: both legal parents or legal guardians must appear in person with the child. If one or both cannot, they must submit this form or a separate statement, signed and sworn under oath before a passport authorizing officer or notary.
- Children ages 16 and 17: one legal parent or legal guardian must be aware of the application. The passport authorizing officer may be able to confirm that awareness, but keeps discretion to ask for written consent.
- Institutions or entities granted guardianship: submit the guardianship documents listed on the form together with this form or a separate statement.
Consent may not be required if the applying parent shows sole authority to apply, such as the other parent's death certificate, a court order granting sole legal custody, or a birth certificate listing only one parent. That parent may also submit Form DS-5525 or a written statement made under penalty of perjury explaining why the second parent cannot be reached.
The passport authorizing officer or notary must not be related to the affiant(s).
When to file DS-3053
Complete Form DS-3053 when you submit the child's passport application (Form DS-11) and one or both legal parents or guardians cannot appear in person with the child. The affiant must wait to sign until a passport authorizing officer or notary asks them to do so, and the signing dates of the affiant and of the officer or notary must match.
The consent is valid for 90 days from the date the passport authorizing officer or notary signs. If it expires before the passport application for the named child is submitted, new consent is required.
For a child aged 16 or 17, the passport authorizing officer decides whether to request written consent, so the form is needed only if that request is made. The form sets no other deadline.
Documents you need
- A clear photocopy of the front and back of the valid government-issued photo identification that each affiant presented to the passport authorizing officer or notary.
- Form DS-11, the passport application this consent accompanies, applied for by the adult named in Section 2 for a child under age 16.
- For institutions or entities granted guardianship: a certified court order granting guardianship to the institution or entity; photocopies are not acceptable.
- For institutions or entities granted guardianship: a signed statement on letterhead naming the child and the individual(s) authorized to apply for the passport.
- For institutions or entities granted guardianship: a photocopy of the authorized individual's employee photo identification verifying employment with the institution or entity.
- Only if consent may not be required: evidence of sole authority, such as the other parent's death certificate, a court order granting sole legal custody, or a birth certificate listing only one parent.
- Only if the second parent cannot be reached: Form DS-5525 or a written statement made under penalty of perjury explaining in detail why.
How to fill out DS-3053
Print or type in black ink
Complete the form legibly or typed, using black ink only. If you make an error, complete a new form instead of correcting it.
Enter the child's details in Section 1
Line a: the child's name as it appears on Form DS-11, in the format LAST, FIRST MIDDLE (for example SMITH, JOHN ROBERT). Line b: the child's birthdate as MM-DD-YYYY; check the box if the child is age 16 or 17.
Name the applying adult in Section 2
For a child under age 16, enter the name of the adult who will apply in person in LAST, FIRST MIDDLE format (line a). On line b, check one: Legal Parent, Legal Guardian or Third Party.
Print the non-applying parents' names
In Section 3, print the full name of each legal parent or legal guardian who cannot appear in person in blank space 1 and, if applicable, blank space 2.
Limit the consent if needed
Consent covers a passport book and card unless you write otherwise in the line provided, such as "Issue passport book only" or "Issue passport card only." Leave the line blank if both are allowed.
Add address and contact details
For each non-applying parent or guardian, enter the street address, city, state/country and ZIP code, phone and email. Check the box if the second person's details are the same as the first.
Stop before Section 4
Do not sign. Take the form to a passport authorizing officer or notary and sign only when asked.
Sign and add identifying documents
In front of the officer or notary, each affiant signs and dates Section 4. Check the identification type (Driver's License, Passport, Military or Other) and enter the name, ID number, place of issue, issue date and expire date.
Have the officer or notary complete the form
The passport authorizing officer or notary signs, enters the same date and the location (agency or city, state) and adds the seal. They must not be related to the affiant.
Review, download and attach ID
Check every entry, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Attach a clear photocopy of the front and back of the photo ID shown to the officer or notary.
How to submit DS-3053
Form DS-3053 is not filed on its own: it goes in with the child's U.S. passport application (Form DS-11). The form prints no mailing address or portal of its own.
- With the passport application: the adult named in Section 2 applies in person with a child under age 16 and presents the signed consent. Before that, the affiant signs Section 4 in front of a passport authorizing officer or notary.
- Attachment: include a clear photocopy of the front and back of the valid government-issued photo identification that was presented to the officer or notary.
- Notaries outside the United States: in certain countries the form must be notarized at a U.S. embassy or consulate and cannot be notarized by a local notary public. Check the embassy or consulate webpage.
- Questions: the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) answers at 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY 1-888-874-7793), at [email protected] and at travel.state.gov.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Signing Section 4 before a passport authorizing officer or notary asks you to; the form says to stop at Section 4 and wait.
- Using different signing dates for the affiant and the officer or notary; the two dates must match.
- Having the form notarized by someone related to the affiant; the officer or notary must not be related.
- Leaving out the photocopy of the front and back of the photo ID presented to the officer or notary.
- Correcting an error on the form; the instructions say to complete a new form and not to correct.
- Filling the form in with a color other than black ink; it must be printed legibly or typed in black ink only.
- Submitting the passport application after the 90-day consent period has run; new consent is then required.
- Submitting guardianship consent that places conditions on passport validity or where the child may travel; new consent is required.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form DS-3053 used for?
Form DS-3053 is the Department of State's Statement of Consent for a child's U.S. passport. A parent or legal guardian who cannot appear in person uses it, with Form DS-11, to consent to the passport being issued. It can also authorize a third party to apply for the child.
Does the form need to be notarized?
It must be signed and sworn under oath before a passport authorizing officer or notary. A separate notarized written statement with all the details in the form may be submitted instead. Outside the United States, some countries require notarization at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
How long is Form DS-3053 valid?
The consent is valid for 90 days from the date the passport authorizing officer or notary signs. If it expires before the child's passport application is submitted, new consent is required.
What ID do I attach to Form DS-3053?
Attach a clear photocopy of the front and back of the valid government-issued photo identification you showed to the passport authorizing officer or notary. The same identification is noted in the identifying documents section of Section 4.
Do both parents need to consent for a child aged 16 or 17?
No. For children ages 16 and 17, awareness of one legal parent or legal guardian is required. The passport authorizing officer keeps discretion to ask for that parent's written consent, so this form is needed only if the officer asks.
Can a parent skip the consent if the other parent cannot be reached?
Possibly. Consent may not be required if you show sole authority, such as a death certificate, a sole-custody court order or a birth certificate listing one parent. You may also submit Form DS-5525 or a written statement under penalty of perjury explaining why the second parent cannot be reached.
Can I fill out Form DS-3053 online?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it, but you must still sign Section 4 in front of an officer or notary. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not submit the form; it goes in with Form DS-11.
Is Form DS-3053 related to Maricopa property tax?
No. Form DS-3053 is a U.S. Department of State passport form and has nothing to do with property tax. It is a federal document that is used with a child's passport application (Form DS-11), wherever the family lives.
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