Form DS-5525 Statement of Exigent / Special Family Circumstances for Issuance of a U.S. Passport to a Child Under Age 16

Form DS-5525 Instructions

Generally, it is required by law that all passport applications for minors under the age of 16 need both custodial parents or legal guardians to be present for submitting a passport application. Both their signatures are required unless a written and notarized statement of consent from the absent custodial parent or legal guardian is provided.

A special situation occurs when one of the parents or custodial legal guardians of the applicant can not be present to sign an application to give their consent for the U.S. Passport issuance, and notarized permission from that parent or legal guardian can not be obtained. Basically, there has to be solid proof that the minor in question is in dire need of U.S. Passport issuance due to a health risk or a threat of separation from the rest of the family if the U.S. Passport is not issued in a timely matter. The request may qualify as an exigent or special circumstance if there is a time-sensitive emergency. If the inability of the minor to obtain a passport would jeopardize his or her safety health or wellbeing.

Substantial information needs to be collected about the non-applying parent and the reason why the written and notarized consent can not be obtained. The absent parent might be in the United States or abroad and may have stay-away or restraining orders issued by the U.S. or international courts. A non-applying parent might also be incarcerated or even wanted. Supporting documentation is essential and directly affects the final decision by the U.S. Passport Services authorities. In any case, the most detailed information will have to be provided and recorded. This includes statements from any family members, friends, or coworkers of the absent parent, who might provide any valuable information to shed the light on a situation.