How to Get a Child’s Passport: Complete DS-3053 and DS-11 Guide for Massachusetts Parents
The plain-English walkthrough every Massachusetts parent needs before walking into a passport acceptance facility. The two-parent consent rule, when DS-3053 must be notarized, what to bring, where to go, and the special-circumstance paths for divorced, single, military, and bereaved families. Written by a working Massachusetts notary who notarizes DS-3053 forms most weeks.
A child’s first passport is one of the more emotional notarizations a Massachusetts parent ever sits through. The forms are short and the rules are straightforward, but the underlying fact pattern can be anything from a textbook two-parent first-trip to grandma’s house in Lisbon, to a sole-custody parent racing a court order ahead of a school-vacation flight, to a military spouse handling everything alone while the other parent is forward-deployed.
This guide walks through every common Massachusetts scenario: which form goes with which situation, when DS-3053 must be notarized, what to bring to the post office or library acceptance facility, and how to handle the special cases that come up when one parent is unavailable. After almost two decades of notarizing DS-3053 forms for Tewksbury, Wilmington, Andover, Burlington, Boston, and Cambridge families, the same questions come up over and over. They are answered in plain English below.
What’s in this guide
- The three forms every Massachusetts parent should know about
- When you need DS-3053 notarized (the two-parent consent rule)
- The decision tree: which form fits your situation
- Documents to gather before the appointment
- The five-step application process
- Acceptance facilities in Greater Boston and the Merrimack Valley
- Fees and processing times
- Special cases: divorce, sole custody, deceased parent, military
- Common mistakes that delay applications
- FAQ
1. The three forms every Massachusetts parent should know about
Most child passport applications use one of three Department of State forms. Knowing which form your situation requires before the appointment saves a return trip, a re-notarization, and (in busy travel seasons) a missed flight.
Application for a US Passport
The core application. Used for first-time passport applicants of any age and for every minor under 16. Filled out by the parent or guardian and signed in front of the acceptance agent at the facility – never in advance.
Statement of Consent
The notarized parental consent form. Used when only one of the two parents (or guardians) can appear with the child. The non-appearing parent signs DS-3053 in front of a notary public; the form is then submitted at the acceptance facility.
Special Family Circumstances
The exception form. Used when the non-appearing parent’s consent cannot be obtained: deceased, sole legal custody granted by court order, parental rights terminated, or location unknown despite documented good-faith effort.
2. When you need DS-3053 notarized: the two-parent consent rule
For every US passport application for a child under 16, the Department of State applies a two-parent consent rule. Both parents (or both legal guardians) must consent to the application. There are three ways to satisfy that rule.
Option A: Both parents appear in person with the child
The cleanest path. Both parents bring the child to the passport acceptance facility, present the documents, and sign in front of the acceptance agent. No notarization required, no DS-3053. We recommend this when both parents are local and schedules permit.
Option B: One parent appears with notarized DS-3053 from the other
The most common Massachusetts scenario when the parents work different schedules, live in different households, or one is briefly out of state. The non-appearing parent completes Form DS-3053 and signs it in front of a Massachusetts notary public. The notarized form, plus a photocopy of the non-appearing parent’s photo ID (front and back), is brought to the acceptance facility by the appearing parent along with the child and DS-11.
Option C: Sole legal authority documented with DS-5525
When the second parent cannot appear and cannot consent because they are deceased, do not have legal custody, have had parental rights terminated, or cannot be located after a documented good-faith search. The appearing parent completes DS-5525 and submits the supporting documentation (death certificate, sole-custody court order, termination order, or evidence of search efforts).
The two-parent consent rule applies to every child under 16 – including renewals
- A two-year-old’s first passport: two-parent consent applies.
- An eight-year-old’s renewal at age 13: two-parent consent applies again.
- A 15-year-old’s first passport: two-parent consent applies.
- A 16- or 17-year-old’s first passport: minor still applies in person on DS-11; one-parent appearance is generally sufficient, but parental awareness of the application is required.
- An 18-year-old’s first passport: standard adult application; parents not required.
3. The decision tree: which form fits your situation
Walk down the questions until you reach the form combination that matches your family. If you are unsure, the State Department’s instructions at travel.state.gov are the controlling reference.
4. Documents to gather before the appointment
A complete document set turns the appointment from a 45-minute ordeal into a 15-minute formality. Here is the standard packet for a Massachusetts child passport application.
Child’s certified birth certificate
Long-form, original or certified copy issued by the state of birth. Both parents’ full legal names must appear. If yours does not list both parents, request a long-form copy from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records (or the state of birth).
Parents’ government-issued photo IDs
Current Massachusetts driver’s license, Mass ID, US passport, US military ID, or USCIS Permanent Resident Card for each appearing parent. The acceptance agent inspects the original. Read our guide to acceptable IDs.
Photocopies of parents’ IDs
Photocopies (front and back) of each parent’s photo ID, on plain white paper, full size. The acceptance agent keeps the photocopies. If using DS-3053, include the non-appearing parent’s photocopy with the notarized form.
Form DS-11 (printed, unsigned)
Print from travel.state.gov. Type or print clearly. Do not sign. The acceptance agent witnesses the signature at the facility. Use black ink only.
Passport-style photo of the child
One 2×2 inch photo. White background. Eyes open. No glasses. No headwear (with limited religious exceptions). Most CVS, Walgreens, and FedEx locations across Massachusetts take compliant child passport photos for $10-$20.
Notarized DS-3053 (if applicable)
Required when only one parent appears. Non-appearing parent signs in front of a Massachusetts notary public. Less than three months old at the time of submission. We notarize these in our Tewksbury office or mobile across Greater Boston.
DS-5525 + supporting docs (if applicable)
Required when the second parent cannot consent. Supporting documents include certified death certificates, sole-custody court orders, termination-of-rights orders, or evidence of diligent search. Originals or certified copies only.
Application and execution fees
Two separate payments: the State Department application fee (paid by check or money order to “US Department of State”) and the acceptance facility execution fee (paid separately, often by debit/credit). Confirm current amounts at travel.state.gov before the visit.
Evidence of parentage (when needed)
If the birth certificate does not name both parents, additional evidence may be needed: court orders, adoption decrees, consular reports of birth abroad, or other documentation. Consult travel.state.gov for the current list.
5. The five-step application process
From “we’re going to take the kids to Italy” to “passports in hand,” a typical Massachusetts child passport application follows these five steps.
Order the long-form birth certificate
If you do not have an original or certified copy showing both parents, request one from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records (or the state of birth). Allow one to two weeks for delivery.
Take the passport photo
Walk the child into a CVS, Walgreens, or FedEx that does passport photos. Costs $10-$20. Toddlers and infants get special handling – the technician will help.
Notarize DS-3053 (if needed)
If only one parent will appear, the other parent fills out DS-3053 and signs in front of a Massachusetts notary. The notarized form must be less than three months old at submission. Bring acceptable ID.
Visit the acceptance facility
Bring the child, the parent (or both), DS-11 (unsigned), the birth certificate, photo IDs and photocopies, the photo, the notarized DS-3053 if applicable, and the fees. Most acceptance facilities require an appointment.
Track and receive
Track at travel.state.gov using the applicant’s last name and birth date. The passport book and supporting documents (including the original birth certificate) are returned by mail in two separate mailings.
6. Passport acceptance facilities across Massachusetts
Massachusetts has hundreds of passport acceptance facilities at USPS post offices, public libraries, and court clerks. Many require an appointment – especially during summer travel season. Search by ZIP code at iafdb.travel.state.gov for current hours and appointment availability.
Common Greater Boston, Merrimack Valley, and North Shore facilities
For urgent travel within 14 days (or 28 days if you also need a foreign visa), visit a Regional Passport Agency. Boston has an agency at the Tip O’Neill Federal Building, by appointment only, scheduled at travel.state.gov.
7. Fees and processing times
Department of State fees update periodically. The chart below shows the components of a typical child passport application fee. Always confirm current amounts at travel.state.gov before paying. Fees are paid in two separate transactions: the State Department application fee (check or money order, payable to “US Department of State”) and the acceptance facility’s execution fee (paid separately).
Processing times (always verify before applying)
Routine processing for child passport applications typically takes several weeks. Expedited processing is faster for an additional fee. Times often lengthen during peak summer travel season. The Department of State publishes current ranges at travel.state.gov. Apply at least three months before any planned international travel and longer if your departure date is firm.
8. Special cases: divorce, sole custody, deceased parent, military
The two-parent consent rule has a specific path for every common Massachusetts family situation. Here is how each one resolves.
Divorced parents, joint legal custody
Both parents must consent. Either both appear, or the non-appearing parent submits a notarized DS-3053. A divorce decree alone does not waive the two-parent consent rule unless it specifically grants sole legal custody.
If the other parent will not consent, this becomes a Probate and Family Court issue and the application cannot proceed without a court order.
Sole legal custody
Submit DS-5525 and the certified court order awarding sole legal custody. Massachusetts courts grant sole legal custody only in specific circumstances; the order must clearly state “sole legal custody” or equivalent language to substitute for the second parent’s consent.
Deceased parent
Submit DS-5525 and the certified death certificate. Photocopies are not accepted – the death certificate must be certified by the issuing state’s vital-records office. The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records issues certified copies for in-state deaths.
Parental rights terminated
Submit DS-5525 and the certified court order terminating parental rights. The order must clearly state termination – a no-contact order, restraining order, or supervised-visitation order is not the same and does not substitute for consent.
Non-appearing parent’s location unknown
Submit DS-5525 with documented evidence of a good-faith search: certified-mail attempts to last known addresses, online search records, statements from family members. Many cases require court intervention.
Military parent forward-deployed
The deployed parent can complete DS-3053 at a US Embassy, US Consulate, or in front of a military notary on base, then mail it to the appearing parent. Each base’s legal-assistance office helps with this. Common for Hanscom AFB, Joint Base Cape Cod, and US Coast Guard families.
Adopted children
If the child was adopted in the US, submit the certified adoption decree showing the parents listed on the application as the legal parents. If internationally adopted, submit the IR/IH visa documentation and the Consular Report of Birth Abroad if available.
Foreign-born child of US citizen parent
Submit a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240 or DS-1350) in lieu of a US birth certificate. This document is issued by the US Embassy/Consulate where the child was born. Original or certified copy required.
9. Common mistakes that delay child passport applications
Most child passport applications that get rejected, delayed, or asked to come back fall into a small set of avoidable mistakes. Walk through this list before your acceptance facility appointment.
- Signing DS-11 before the appointment. The acceptance agent must witness the signature. If you sign in advance, the form is rejected and a new one is filled out at the counter.
- Bringing only a short-form birth certificate. The State Department typically requires a long-form (often called “certified” or “full”) birth certificate that lists both parents. Order the long-form version if you do not have it.
- Submitting a DS-3053 older than three months. The Department of State generally treats DS-3053 as fresh for three months from the notarization date. If your appointment is delayed, the consent form may need re-notarization.
- Forgetting the photocopy of the non-appearing parent’s ID. Front and back, on plain white paper. The acceptance agent will reject DS-3053 without it.
- Wrong fee structure. Two separate payments, one to the US Department of State (check or money order) and one to the acceptance facility (their accepted methods). Cash is rarely accepted for the State Department fee.
- Photo non-compliance. Eyes closed, glasses on, blurry, wrong size, or non-white background. Use a CVS, Walgreens, or FedEx location familiar with US passport photo standards.
- Walk-in expectations. Many Massachusetts post offices and libraries require appointments for passport services. Confirm appointment requirements via iafdb.travel.state.gov.
- Forgetting the child. Yes, this happens. The child must be present at the appointment – even infants. The acceptance agent confirms identity visually.
10. Frequently asked questions
The questions parents ask before, during, and after the application. Answered by the notary who signs DS-3053 forms most weeks.
When does DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) need to be notarized in Massachusetts?
Whenever a child under 16 is applying for a US passport and only one parent (or guardian) is able to appear at the acceptance facility. The non-appearing parent signs DS-3053 in front of a notary public. The notarized form is submitted at the acceptance facility along with a photocopy (front and back) of the non-appearing parent’s photo ID.
Do both parents need to appear for a child’s first passport?
Yes, under the two-parent consent rule for children under 16, unless the non-appearing parent provides a notarized DS-3053 or sole legal authority is documented on DS-5525.
What if one parent is deceased, missing, or has sole-custody status?
The appearing parent submits DS-5525 with supporting documentation: certified death certificate, sole-custody court order, parental-rights termination order, or evidence of a diligent search. Each circumstance has its own documentation requirements at travel.state.gov.
What identification do parents need at the acceptance facility?
An unexpired government-issued photo ID for each appearing parent: Massachusetts driver’s license, Mass ID, US passport book, US passport card, military ID, or USCIS Permanent Resident Card. Read our acceptable ID guide.
How long does a child’s passport take to process?
Routine processing typically takes several weeks; expedited is faster for an additional fee. Times often lengthen in peak summer travel season. Confirm current estimates at travel.state.gov. Apply at least three months before any planned international travel.
Where can I find a passport acceptance facility in Massachusetts?
Hundreds of facilities across the state at USPS post offices, public libraries, and court clerks. Search by ZIP code at iafdb.travel.state.gov. Many require an appointment, especially during summer.
Do you notarize DS-3053 forms?
Yes. We notarize DS-3053 forms most weeks at our Tewksbury office (in-office, $45 starting fee, by appointment Monday-Friday 10 AM-5 PM) or mobile at your home, office, or a meeting location 7 days a week with confirmed booking. We also help confirm the form is filled out correctly before the notarial act.
What is the difference between DS-11 and DS-82?
DS-11 is for first-time applicants and minors under 16; in-person appearance required. DS-82 is the renewal form for adults whose previous passport meets eligibility (issued at age 16+, undamaged, issued within 15 years, same name or with documented name change). Children’s renewals always use DS-11.
Can a Massachusetts notary fill out DS-3053 for me?
No. Notaries are not authorized to give immigration or passport advice or to complete federal forms on a client’s behalf. We confirm the signature placement and the photocopy attachment, but the parent must complete the form. The State Department’s instructions at travel.state.gov are clear and we are happy to point you to them.
Who authors and reviews this content?
All content is authored or editorially reviewed by Hanson Webb, an NNA-certified Massachusetts notary signing agent active since 2007. Editorial standards and credentials are on the Meet Our Editor page.
Related reading on HireMobileNotary.com
Companion blog posts and service pages for Massachusetts families and travelers.
Need a DS-3053 notarized this week?
Most weeks we notarize several DS-3053 forms for Massachusetts parents getting their child’s first passport. In-office at our Tewksbury location or mobile at your home, office, or library. Confirmed appointments 7 days a week.
Tewksbury office: 1215 Main Street, Suite 115, Tewksbury, MA 01876. Mon-Fri 10 AM-5 PM by appointment. Mobile 7 days a week with confirmed booking.
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Tell us your travel date, the city in Massachusetts where you’d like to meet, and which form you need notarized. We will confirm an appointment, usually within an hour during business hours.
