Quick summary
#You must submit one of the following documents for your child: U Review the official instructions to confirm you meet the filing requirements for DS-5525, as described in the Form DS-5525 guide.
When the official instructions indicate this form is required
Include it with your application package and follow official instructions for submission.
Names, dates of birth, and passport details on other forms Program checklist requirements Supporting documents and translations
Overview (What is Form DS-5525?)
#A thorough and precise description of your circumstances can facilitate the review process and help obtain the passport necessary for your child's travel, as outlined in the Application for U.S. Passport guide.
First page of DS-5525 form
Source: DS-5525 PDF
Context and workflow
#You will receive a Receipt Notice indicating that your application is being processed, as detailed in the U.S. Passport Renewal Application guide.
Why this matters
- Small mismatches inside DS-5525 (or between DS-5525 and supporting evidence) can force rework later in processing.
- This form helps confirm that the application matches the program’s requirements and checklist.
Where it fits in the workflow
- Processing time for DS-5525 varies by location — always check the official Department of State processing time tool.
- This form is part of the passport application process for minors under 16.
- It is used when standard consent procedures cannot be followed due to special circumstances.
- DS-5525 is commonly filed alongside Form DS-11, Form DS-82, Form DS-64.
Who uses it
Form DS-5525 is intended for applicants who cannot obtain the notarized, written consent of a parent or legal guardian with legal custody of the child applicant under 16 for a passport application. This form is used to explain exigent or special family circumstances that make obtaining such consent exceptionally difficult or impossible. You may need to provide a detailed statement explaining why the notarized consent cannot be obtained and describe any attempts to contact the non-applying parent or legal guardian. Additionally, include any relevant court orders related to the child's custody or travel, and submit evidence of incarceration if applicable.
When it is used
- When the official instructions indicate this form is required
- As part of a complete application package with supporting documents
- When filing DS-5525 alongside DS-11 (DS-5525 submitted with DS-11 when other parent cannot be located)
- As an alternative to DS-3053 — use DS-5525 when DS-3053 for consent; DS-5525 when parent cannot be found or is uncooperative
- When filing DS-5525 alongside DS-82 (May accompany DS-82 renewal in exigent circumstances)
- When filing DS-5525 alongside DS-64 (May accompany lost/stolen passport report in urgent family situations)
Failure prevention (What causes Form DS-5525 rejections?)
#Technical rejections
- Incorrectly correcting errors on the form instead of completing a new form.
- Ensure form edition is current
- All required signatures are present
Substantive weaknesses
- Failing to provide a detailed explanation of why notarized consent cannot be obtained.
- Not submitting evidence of incarceration when applicable.
- To avoid incomplete or inconsistent information across form: Use exact passport and document details; review all answers before submission.
- To avoid omitting social media handles: List all social media accounts used in the past 5 years; omissions can cause denial.
- To avoid incomplete travel history: Provide full travel history with destinations, dates, and duration.
What it asks for (What does Form DS-5525 ask for?)
#- Explain the reason why you cannot obtain the notarized statement of consent.
- Describe attempts to contact the non-applying parent/legal guardian.
- Explanation of why notarized consent cannot be obtained
- Applicant identification information
- Supporting documentation inventory
- Eligibility or purpose details
- Declarations and signatures
- Documentation related to: Form DS-5525 is used to explain exigent or special family circumstances when a notarized consent from a non-applying par
- Documentation related to: Requirements: Both parents or guardians must give their approval for a child to receive a passport and must be present w
Sources for this section
What you need (What do you need for Form DS-5525?)
#- The current edition of DS-5525
- Proof of current immigration status
- Government-issued photo identification
- Passport-style photographs meeting specifications
- Requirements: Both parents or guardians must give their approval for a child to receive a passport and must be present with the child when applying
- A certified copy of the most recent court order(s)/decree(s) with this form
- Evidence of incarceration with this form, such as a letter from the convicting criminal court, a copy of the incarceration court order, or a copy of the online inmate locator page
- One of these documents, go to our Citizenship Evidence page for more information
- Digital evidence of U
- Physical evidence of U
- A photocopy of the photo ID presented to the notary to sign the Statement of Consent
- The form with the child's passport application.
Sources for this section
Checklist (What is the Form DS-5525 checklist?)
#- To obtain the current Form DS-5525 and its accompanying instructions, please visit the official Department of State website.
- Review the official DS-5525 instructions before filing
- Gather required supporting documents per the instructions
- Complete all required sections of DS-5525
- Sign and date Form DS-5525, ensuring all necessary supporting documents accompany your submission.
Sources for this section
Fees
#| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing Feeprocessing times are: 4-6 weeks for routine service 2-3 weeks for expedite service (extra $60) Our processing times do not include mailing times. | $60 |
Can the Form DS-5525 fee be waived?
Fee waivers may be available for qualifying applicants. See official instructions for eligibility.
What happens if I submit the wrong fee?
Department of State will reject your application if the incorrect fee is submitted. Verify the current fee on the official schedule before filing.
Fee waiver: Fee waivers may be available for qualifying applicants. See official instructions for eligibility. For related guidance, see Statement of Consent for Issuing a.
Department of State fee schedule
Fees change; always verify on Department of State.
Processing times
#- processing times are: 4-6 weeks for routine service 2-3 weeks for expedite service (extra $60) Our processing times do not include mailing times.
- Processing times differ significantly by eligibility category. Initial applications, renewals, and replacements each go through different adjudication queues, and some categories consistently take longer than others.
- Renewal filings are often processed differently than initial applications. If you are renewing, file well before your current authorization expires — some categories allow you to continue working while the renewal is pending if filed on time.
- The service center assigned to your case affects how long it takes. Department of State distributes filings across multiple centers, and each has different workloads. You cannot choose which center processes your case.
- To check your estimated timeline: visit the official Department of State processing times tool, select your form and eligibility category, and note that the tool shows the filing date of cases currently being worked on — not a countdown from when you filed.
- While pending: track your case status online with your receipt number, respond promptly to any requests for additional evidence, and update your address through your Department of State account if you move.
Where to file
#Online filing is available for some categories — verify on the official form page. Otherwise, file by mail to the address in the instructions.
File online
Check the official DS-5525 page to see if online filing is available for your category.
Submit application
Paper filing addresses vary by eligibility category and state of residence. Check the official instructions for the correct filing address.
Filing locations and procedures may change. Always verify on the official Department of State website before submitting. For related guidance, see Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen.
Form sections (What sections does Form DS-5525 have?)
#Circumstances
Why consent cannot be obtained.
- Explanation of situation
- Efforts to contact the other parent
- Supporting documentation
Child and Applicant Details
Identification information.
- Child's name and date of birth
- Applicant parent's information
- Relationship to child
Key terms
#- Exigent Circumstance
- A situation requiring urgent action, where delay could harm the child's well-being.In this form: Used to justify the inability to obtain consent for a child's passport.
Strategy tips
#Mistake severity
#| Mistake type | Severity | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Incomplete or inconsistent information across form | Rejection | Use exact passport and document details; review all answers before submission. |
| Omitting social media handles | Rejection | List all social media accounts used in the past 5 years; omissions can cause denial. |
| Incomplete travel history | RFE | Provide full travel history with destinations, dates, and duration. |
| Information inconsistent with DS-160 | Rejection | DS-5535 must match DS-160 exactly; discrepancies trigger scrutiny. |
Examples (What are examples for Form DS-5525?)
#- Strong application: An applicant submits the form with a detailed explanation and supporting court documents, leading to a timely decision.
- Common weakness: An applicant provides a vague explanation without supporting documents, resulting in delays.
- Strong application: An applicant provides a comprehensive explanation of their attempts to contact the non-applying parent, along with a certified court order and evidence of incarceration, resulting in a smooth processing.
- An applicant overseas completes DS-5525 as part of the consular visa interview process
- A beneficiary of an approved petition uses DS-5525 to apply for their immigration visa at the embassy
Common misconceptions (What misconceptions surround Form DS-5525?)
#- Meeting the document requirements guarantees visa approval — The consular officer retains discretion to approve or deny the visa based on the totality of circumstances, even when all documents are submitted.
- Paying the DS-5525 filing fee does not guarantee acceptance — the fee is generally non-refundable even when the form is rejected for technical errors.
- A fee waiver for DS-5525 is not automatic — only specific qualifying categories are eligible, and a waiver request can be denied while the underlying form is still expected to be filed.
- DS-5525 cannot always be filed in any way — the correct filing method depends on the applicant's category, and using the wrong channel can result in rejection.
- DS-5525 can be rejected before substantive review for technical errors such as “Incorrectly correcting errors on the form instead of completing a new form.”
- A complete DS-5525 can still be denied on the merits — issues like “Failing to provide a detailed explanation of why notarized consent cannot be obtained” are evaluated by the reviewer even when paperwork is clean.
Edge cases and variations
#- If you are asked to submit or update DS-5525, treat it as a package update: check every place the same details appear and keep them consistent.
Scenarios
#A parent is unable to locate the other parent to obtain consent for a child's passport. They complete DS-5525 with documentation of the search.
Special circumstances form reviewed. Passport may be issued if the request demonstrates diligent search and compelling need.
DS-5525 is for exceptional cases. Document every attempt to contact the other parent (emails, letters, court filings).
An applicant claims the other parent is abusive but has no court order or protective order.
Additional evidence requested. A protective order or court finding can support waiver of consent.
Document abuse through court orders, police reports, or protective orders when possible.
A parent submits DS-5525 with minimal documentation of efforts to locate the other parent.
Application denied. Insufficient evidence of good-faith effort.
Show comprehensive efforts: certified mail, social media, relatives, last known addresses. The bar for waiver is high.
Key differentiators
#- Unlike Form DS-3053: Form DS-5525 is used when notarized consent cannot be obtained due to special circumstances, unlike DS-3053 which is for providing consent.
- Unlike Form DS-11: Application for U.S. Passport: Filed together: DS-5525 submitted with DS-11 when other parent cannot be located
- Unlike Form DS-3053: Statement of Consent for Issuing a Passport to a Minor: Alternative option: DS-3053 for consent; DS-5525 when parent cannot be found or is uncooperative
- Unlike Form DS-82: U.S. Passport Renewal Application: Filed together: May accompany DS-82 renewal in exigent circumstances
Why it matters
#What happens after you submit
#- Submit the DS-5525 along with the child's passport application.
- Receive a Receipt Notice (a related form) confirming the application is being processed.
- Await any requests for additional information or documentation.
- Receive a decision on the passport application.
- If approved, the passport will be produced and delivered by mail.
Verification
#This guide is based on official Department of State instructions for DS-5525 and is updated with changes in form editions or filing rules. Always check the official Department of State website for the most current requirements.
Resources
#Free United States planning tools
#Itemize the government fees that go alongside Form DS-5525.
United States eligibility checker
See which United States visas your profile fits before you finalize Form DS-5525.
United States processing times
Get the typical wait time for the visa associated with Form DS-5525.
United States interview practice
Practice United States interview questions if your filing route includes one.