How to Get a Passport for Your Child under Exigent or Special Family Circumstances

Need a passport for your child but can't get the other parent's signature?

Here's what you need to know - and do - when exigent or special family circumstances apply.

What Is Form DS-5525 and When Do You Use It?

U.S. law requires both parents or legal guardians to give consent when applying for a passport for a child under 16. But what if the other parent is missing, unreachable, or refuses to cooperate?

That's where Form DS-5525: Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances comes in.

You use this form only when you can't get the required notarized consent from the non-applying parent or legal guardian and:

• There's a family emergency (like a sudden trip due to illness, death, or safety issues), or
• The child's situation makes getting consent exceptionally difficult or impossible.

Important: Filling out Form DS-5525 does not guarantee that your child will receive a passport. The U.S. Department of State will review all supporting details before making a decision.

Download Form DS-5525: Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances

What Counts as Exigent or Special Family Circumstances?

Exigent Circumstances

These are urgent, time-sensitive situations where not having a passport would harm the child's health, safety, or well-being, or separate them from their traveling group.

Examples:

• You're traveling in less than 2 weeks due to a family medical emergency
• The child is being sent abroad for urgent medical treatment
• You're relocating or evacuating due to a crisis situation

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Special Family Circumstances

These apply when the family dynamic makes getting consent extremely difficult or unfeasible.

Examples:

• The non-applying parent is estranged, abusive, or completely absent
• The parent is incarcerated and unreachable
• You've tried to reach the parent multiple times with no response or ability to contact

How to Complete Form DS-5525

Form DS-5525 must be filled out in black ink, with no corrections or whiteout. If you make a mistake, start over with a new form.

What You'll Need

• Child and Parent Information: Full names, dates of birth, contact details
• Legal Documentation: Custody or court orders, incarceration evidence if applicable
• Attempts to Contact the Other Parent: Number of times, methods used (mail, phone, email, etc.), and results
• Your Statement: A detailed explanation of why you can't get consent and how this affects the child

Be honest. False statements are considered a federal offense.

What to Submit with the Passport Application

When applying for your child's passport, include the following:

• Completed Form DS-11
• Child's proof of U.S. citizenship
• Your photocopy of identification
• Child's passport photo
• Form DS-5525 and all supporting documents
• Required passport fees

Tip: Bring as much documentation as possible to show that the situation is urgent or that the other parent's consent is truly unobtainable.

Can My Child Still Be Denied a Passport?

Yes. The Department of State evaluates each case carefully. If your explanation and documents don't clearly justify the circumstances, the passport may be denied.

But if your request is legitimate and well-documented, approval is absolutely possible - even without the second parent's consent.

Final Tips

• Don't delay. Passport processing takes time - even in emergencies.
• If you can't find the other parent, document every attempt.
• If you have a court order granting sole custody or travel permission, you may not need Form DS-5525 at all.

Summary: When to Use Form DS-5525

Getting a passport under these circumstances isn't easy - but it is possible.

With the right information and documentation, you can move forward and get the travel documents your child needs.

Would you like a downloadable checklist or sample completed DS-5525 form to guide you through?

Download Form DS-5525: Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances

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