Fillable Form DS-5525
Form DS-5525 is used to obtain a passport for minor children who are age 16 and below, and the parents are not present with the child or the one acquiring the passport is unable to obtain written consent from the absent custodial parent. These are special cases that are only valid if the reason for using the form is time-sensitive, the child is 16 years old or below, and the parents are unavailable to give their consent.
What is Form DS-5525?
Form DS-5525, Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances for Issuance of a U.S. Passport to a Child Under Age 16, is a form used by an applying parent to file a statement that he or she cannot locate the other parent for their child's passport application. If the non-applying parent or legal guardian's written consent is unobtainable due to an exigent or special family circumstance, it must be filed.
How to fill out Form DS-5525?
Enter accurate information on Form DS-5525. Otherwise, you may be fined, imprisoned, or both as stated under U.S. law and may result in refusal or denial of your child’s U.S. passport application.
1. Minor's Name
Enter the minor applicant's name.
2. Minor's Date of Birth
Enter the minor applicant's birthdate.
3. Applying Parent/Guardian's Name
Enter your name.
4. Non-Applying Parent/Guardian's Information
Enter the non-applying parent or guardian's information.
Last Name
Enter the non-applying parent or guardian's last name.
First & Middle Name
Enter the non-applying parent or guardian's first and middle name.
Date of Birth
Enter the non-applying parent or guardian's birthdate.
Other Names They May Have Used
Enter other names the non-applying parent or guardian may have used.
Street
Enter the street address of the non-applying parent or guardian.
Apartment No.
Enter the apartment number of the non-applying parent or guardian.
City
Enter the city where the non-applying parent or guardian lives.
State
Enter the state where the non-applying parent or guardian lives.
ZIP Code
Enter the ZIP code of the non-applying parent or guardian.
Country
Enter the country where the non-applying parent or guardian lives.
Telephone Number
Enter the non-applying parent or guardian's telephone number.
E-mail Address
Enter the non-applying parent or guardian's email address.
5. Has any court, either in the United States or abroad, ever issued an order/decree that references the custody or travel of the minor child in question? (Examples include a divorce decree, custody order, protection order, stay away order, restraining order, etc.)
Mark Yes if a court in the U.S. or abroad has issued an order or decree referencing the custody or travel of the minor applicant in question; otherwise, mark No.
6. Is the non-applying parent/guardian currently incarcerated?
Mark Yes if the non-applying parent or guardian is incarcerated; otherwise mark No.
7. Describe your attempts to contact the Non-Applying Parent.
By Mail
If you contacted the non-applying parent by mail, enter the following information.
Number of Times
Enter the number of times you have mailed the non-applying parent.
Approximate Dates
Enter the approximate dates when you mailed the non-applying parent.
Result
Enter the result of your attempt to contact the non-applying parent by mail.
Phone
If you contacted the non-applying parent through a phone call or message, enter the following information.
Number of Times
Enter the number of times you made a phone call or message to the non-applying parent.
Approximate Dates
Enter the approximate dates you when made a phone call or message to the non-applying parent.
Result
Enter the result of your attempt to contact the non-applying parent through the phone.
E-mail
If you contacted the non-applying parent through his or her email, enter the following information.
Number of Times
Enter the number of times you have emailed the non-applying parent.
Approximate Dates
Enter the approximate dates when you emailed the non-applying parent.
Result
Enter the result of your attempt to contact the non-applying parent through his or her email.
Social Media
If you contacted the non-applying parent through his or her social media accounts, enter the following information.
Number of Times
Enter the number of times you have contacted the non-applying parent through his or her social media accounts.
Approximate Dates
Enter the approximate dates when you contacted the non-applying parent through his or her social media accounts.
Result
Enter the result of your attempt to contact the non-applying parent through his or her social media accounts.
Other
If you have attempted to contact the non-applying parent through his or her friend or relative, enter the following information.
Name
Enter the name of the non-applying parent's friend or relative.
How they know the non-applying parent
Enter his or her relationship with the non-applying parent.
Address
Enter the street, city, and state or country where the non-applying parent's friend or relative lives.
Phone
Enter the phone number of the non-applying parent's friend or relative.
Approximate Dates
Enter the approximate dates you have contacted the non-applying parent's friend or relative.
Result
Enter the result of your attempt to contact the non-applying parent through his or her friend or relative.
8. Please explain in detail the reason for your request to issue a U.S. passport book and/or card without the non-applying parent/guardian's consent.
Provide an explanation for your request to issue a U.S. passport and or card for the minor applicant without the non-applying parent or guardian's consent.
OATH
By completing the information below, you declare under penalty of perjury that all statements in Form DS-5525 are true and correct.
Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian
Enter your signature.
Date
Enter the date upon signing Form DS-5525.
What qualifies as an exigent circumstance?
A request qualifies as an exigent circumstance if:
What qualifies as a special family circumstance?
A request qualifies as a special family circumstance if the minor applicant's family situation makes it exceptionally difficult or impossible for one or both parents or legal guardians to provide the notarized written consent for the issuance of a U.S. passport.
How to file Form DS-5525?
Attach your accomplished Form DS-5525 to the minor applicant's Form DS-11, Application Form for New U.S. Passport. Submit them to the passport acceptance facility.
What is Form DS-11?
Form DS-11 is a document used to apply for a new U.S. passport. Minor or adult applicants must file Form DS-11 in person.
Who is considered a minor applicant?
Passport applicants who are under age 16 are considered minors. Both parents must accompany the minor applicant to the passport acceptance facility to file Form DS-11 in person. If one parent is not available, he or she must furnish Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent, to show parental consent.
Form DS-3053 is used if the unavailable parent can give his or her parental consent. If the applying parent cannot locate the non-applying parent, he or she needs to file Form DS-5525 with Form DS-11.
Who is considered an adult applicant?
Passport applicants who are age 16 and older are considered adult applicants. Applicants age 16 and 17 still need to show at least one legal parent or legal guardian to attest their application. Applicants age 18 and older do not need to show parental awareness or consent to apply for a U.S. passport.