Form DS-5525 ('Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances') is used when a child needs a passport but the other parent can't be located — not simply uncooperative. You must document serious efforts to find them. For a parent who's reachable but absent, use notarized consent Form DS-3053 instead. Sole custody or a deceased parent requires court documents/death certificate, not DS-5525.
The two-parent rule first
U.S. law requires both parents' consent for a passport for any child under 16 — designed to prevent international parental abduction. Normally both parents appear at the acceptance facility with the child. When that's impossible, there are three documented exceptions: DS-3053, DS-5525, and sole-authority evidence.
Which exception applies to you?
| Situation | Document |
|---|---|
| Other parent reachable but can't attend | DS-3053 — notarized consent + copy of their ID |
| Other parent cannot be located | DS-5525 — statement + evidence of search efforts |
| Sole legal custody / other parent deceased | Custody decree or death certificate — no form |
| Adoption pending / no father on birth certificate | Birth certificate showing single parent |
What DS-5525 requires
On DS-5525 you explain why the other parent's consent can't be obtained — typically because their whereabouts are unknown. The acceptance agent reviews your evidence of attempts to locate them:
- Court filings or custody proceedings mentioning the absent parent
- Letters to their last known address
- Records of contact attempts via family, employers, or social media
- Incarceration records, military deployment, or missing-person reports
Important: DS-5525 is not a workaround for a parent who simply refuses. Approval is discretionary — weak evidence gets the application held.
Exigent circumstances
The form also covers genuine emergencies — a child's urgent travel when the other parent is unreachable and time doesn't allow normal process (e.g., family medical emergency abroad). Bring evidence: hospital letters, death notices, flight necessity.
Form DS-5525: When One Parent Can't Be Present for a Child's Passport — FAQ
What's the difference between DS-3053 and DS-5525?
My ex won't sign — can I use DS-5525?
Does a custody order replace DS-5525?
Does the child have to appear in person?
Related guides
Entry rules change without notice. Always verify with official government sources (travel.state.gov, embassy websites) before booking. Last reviewed October 2026. This page may contain partner links — see our affiliate disclosure.