I am under age 16. The research I did says that if a parent isn't able to come in person to the passport office, then they need to fill out Form DS-3053 and have it notarized. But what if neither parent can come in person? Can I get a copy of that form signed and notarized by each parent and bring them both to the office?
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3Welcome to travel.stackexchange! – ajd Dec 6 '18 at 2:10
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At the US Department of State website for passports, it states that if parents are unable to appear:
A third party may apply for the child's passport with a notarized statement from both parents/guardians giving that third party permission to apply for the child.
The statement must include a photocopy of the parents/guardians' identification. When the statement is from only one parent/guardian, the third party must present evidence of sole custody of the consenting parent/guardian.
In all circumstances, you must be accompanied by one adult, but it doesn't have to be your parents.
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1It seems amazing that in the 21st century you still need to physically go somewhere to get a passport, but I guess the US will catch up with the rest of the world eventually. – alephzero Dec 6 '18 at 10:05
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12Are there any countries that give passports without a physical visit? I know that I can renew mine online, but I still have to go to get the nationality card (which allows me to do the online passport thing). – Burhan Khalid Dec 6 '18 at 10:33
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1I didn't have to visit the passport office in the UK when I got my first one ~15 years ago, and haven't had to since. – patstew Dec 6 '18 at 11:31
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3@patstew In the US a visit to a passport office isn't required, just a post office or something similar. – axsvl77 Dec 6 '18 at 11:41
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OK, any office. You do have to get the photo authenticated by someone trustworthy who isn't a family member, e.g. a doctor, though. – patstew Dec 6 '18 at 11:43
