Last reviewed September 26, 2026 against the U.S. Department of State’s child-passport guidance and current linked DS-3053. Our service covers notarization of the consent; we do not accept or approve passport applications.
When a parent may need Form DS-3053
For a child under 16, the State Department generally requires both parents or legal guardians to appear with the child or provide the required approval. When one parent cannot attend the application appointment and both have custody, the non-applying parent can provide notarized consent using DS-3053, along with the required ID copy.
Not every child’s passport application needs this form. Sole custody, an unavailable parent, and other circumstances have specific rules. Use the official instructions or ask Passport Services which documents apply; a notary cannot determine custody rights or select a substitute form.
Read State Department guidance for passports under 16 ↗
Bring the consent signer, form, and matching ID copy
- The complete printed DS-3053 and its instructions
- Each parent or legal guardian whose consent signature will be notarized
- The signer’s valid government-issued photo ID
- A clear photocopy of the front and back of the same ID presented to the notary
The form directs the consenting adult to complete Sections 1–3 and stop before signing Section 4. Sign and take the required oath or affirmation in front of the notary. Follow its black-ink instructions; if you make an error, the form says to use a new copy rather than correct it.
Download the official DS-3053 Statement of Consent PDF ↗
Keep the notary visit and passport appointment separate
The adult giving consent personally appears for this notarization. The child is not the consent signer. The child’s passport application must be submitted through the appropriate authorized passport facility, with the child and accompanying adult as required by the State Department.
The DS-3053 ID photocopy is a supporting copy attached to the consent. It is not a request for a North Carolina notary to certify a true copy. See our guide to copy certification in North Carolina if another document asks for a “notarized copy.”
Check the 90-day consent window
The official DS-3053 instructions make consent valid for 90 days from the notary’s signed date. If it expires before the passport application is submitted, new consent is needed. Plan the notarization around the application appointment.
If the consenting parent is outside the United States, check the State Department’s country-specific instructions. In some countries, consent must be notarized at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
DS-3053 notarization at our Charlotte storefront
Find us at The UPS Store #2181, 3020-I Prosperity Church Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269, in Mallard Crossing. Walk-ins are welcome; call 980-250-0591 before your visit to confirm notary availability.
The in-store fee is $10 per notarized principal signature. Printing and copying are available as separate services if you need the form or an ID copy.
The notary must review the signer, identification, form, and requested act before confirming service. We do not provide legal advice or guarantee passport acceptance. Read North Carolina’s notary limits ↗.
Notary identification requirements → · Plan printing and copying with your visit →