Are you planning your next international vacay for your family? If you are, then that also means you’re getting a US passport application notarized (if one parent cannot appear at the appointment). The process can be a handful, so I’ll be walking you through how to get the application completed, including the full details for getting the document notarized.
How to Apply for a US Passport for Your Child
Generally, you’ll need to follow the steps below to obtain a US passport.
- Fill out DS-ll Form
- Provide US Citizenship Evidence
- Bring photocopy of US Citizenship Evidence
- Show Parental Relationship
- Present ID
- Bring a photocopy of ID
- Provide a photo
- Calculate Fees
- Submit your completed application
- Track your application status
To see the detailed instructions to obtain a US passport click here.
So what happens when both parents cannot both appear at the appointment? That’s where the DS-3053 “Statement of Consent” Form comes in.
Getting the US Passport Application Notarized: The DS-3053 Statement of Consent Form
Link to download the form: DS-3053 Statement of Consent Form.
This form is used when one or both legal parents and/or legal guardians cannot apply in person with the child for that child’s passport. The legal parent/legal guardian who cannot apply with the child can give consent using this form or a written statement that includes all of the information on this form. This form or the written statement must be notarized. If the required consent is not submitted, the child may not be eligible for a U.S. passport.
The Statement of Consent is available in PDF format for printing and filling out by hand.
How to Get the Statement of Consent for Your Child’s Passport Application Correctly
Getting this document for the US passport application notarized correctly is a tedious process. You must follow the steps below and you must submit your application within 90 days of the date the document was sealed by the notary. Here are some ground rules for preparing for the appointment with your notary.
- Print a few copies of the DS-3053 form. You cannot make any corrections on the documents. Have a few clean copies and be sure that you use black ink to complete it.
- It’s also worthwhile to note that the parent that CANNOT be present at the passport application appointment needs to fill out this paperwork completely EXCEPT for the signature. This also means that the parent that won’t be at the appointment will need to appear before the notary to sign the document in their presence.
- Print a photo scanned copy of the ID you will present to the notary (Front and back).
- You will need to tell your notary what type of certificate to use. If you need help determining what type of document, here is a quick article on how you can choose between an acknowledgment or jurat.
- Find a notary to complete the notarization.
The Cost of Getting the DS-3053 form notarized
The answer is, it depends. You can call into a local UPS or Fedex to see if they have a notary in-office on a day and time that works for you. In California, the maximum fee for a notarization is $15. You may also decide to search for a local mobile notary public that can travel at the place of your convenience and and the time of your convenience so you can get the document notarized before work, on a lunch break, or that same evening if it’s an emergency situation.
The average cost of getting a mobile notary is around $25+ for travel, a small convenience fee and the price of the signatures. The cost of getting the DS-3053 form starts at $40.
Using a Mobile Notary to Save You Time and Money
The true convenience of using a mobile notary public is the time and money-saving aspect. They will come directly to your home or office and complete the paperwork there. You won’t have to take off work or make arrangements for someone else to look after your children while you go out and get everything done at once.
If you’re in San Pedro or local to the South Bay area of Los Angeles and you’re looking for a friendly and helpful notary, then contact us today to help you get your documents notarized. Follow these steps prior to your appointment, and we’ll be in and out of your appointment in no time – making your next step even easier!
1
