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U.S. Department of State Form DS-3053: Statement of Consent for Issuance of a Passport to a Minor

October 22, 2026

Planning an international trip with your child this summer? If your child needs a U.S. passport and both parents cannot appear together at the passport acceptance facility, you will likely encounter Form DS-3053. This official U.S. Department of State form is one of the most commonly notarized documents for Gwinnett County families — and understanding the notarization requirements can save you a trip back to the notary.

What Is Form DS-3053?

Form DS-3053, officially titled "Statement of Consent: U.S. Passport Issuance to a Child," is the document a non-applying parent or legal guardian must sign to authorize the issuance of a U.S. passport for their minor child. It is required under federal regulations (22 CFR § 51.28) whenever a parent or legal guardian cannot appear in person at the passport application appointment.

The form is used alongside Form DS-11 (the standard U.S. passport application for minors under 16) and is valid for 90 days from the date it is notarized.

When Is It Needed?

You need Form DS-3053 when:

  • One parent cannot appear — The other parent applies in person with the child, and the absent parent provides notarized consent.
  • Both parents cannot appear — A third party (grandparent, relative, family friend) applies on the child behalf, and both parents must submit notarized DS-3053 forms.
  • The child is 16 or 17 — The passport agency may request parental awareness consent, and a notarized DS-3053 satisfies this requirement.

Why Does U.S. Law Require Notarization?

While DS-3053 is a federal form, the notarization requirement comes from U.S. Department of State regulations (22 CFR § 51.28). Georgia notaries public are authorized to perform notarial acts on federal forms under O.C.G.A. § 45-17-1 et seq., and the same Georgia notarial standards apply.

The purpose of the notarization requirement is critical: it helps prevent international parental child abduction. By requiring the non-applying parent to appear personally before a notary and present valid government-issued photo identification, the State Department verifies that the consent is genuine and voluntary. The notary also attaches a photocopy of the parent ID (front and back) to the form as an additional security measure.

How to Get Form DS-3053 Notarized

Follow these steps:

  1. Download the form from the State Department official website — do not sign it yet.
  2. Complete Sections 1, 2, and 3 — but do not sign Section 4 (the oath/affirmation). You must sign it in the presence of the notary.
  3. Bring valid photo ID — A current drivers license, passport, or other government-issued ID.
  4. Appear before a Georgia notary — Sign Section 4 under oath in the notary presence. The notary will verify your identity, administer the oath, and affix their seal.
  5. Provide a photocopy of your ID (front and back) to be attached to the notarized form.
  6. Submit within 90 days — The notarized consent expires 90 days after the notary signature date. If it expires before the passport application is submitted, a new notarized form is required.

Official Form and Resources

Download the official Form DS-3053 directly from the U.S. Department of State:
Form DS-3053 — Statement of Consent (PDF)

For additional guidance, visit the State Department Passports for Minors Under 16 page.

Need this document notarized? Find a trusted notary in your area on Notary of Gwinnett.