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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    1

    Default How Does a Single Parent Get a Passport for a Minor Child

    My question involves a child custody case from the State of Texas

    My daughter was born almost 12 years ago. Her birth father is on the birth certificate but we were never married and he only saw her on a few occasions up until she was about 3 and then disappeared out of our lives.

    He has been in prison for the last few years and I believe has recently been paroled but has not reached out to us.

    I'm looking into trips for the two of us (my daughter and I) and cruises require passports.

    My question is this - since we were never married and there has never been any custody dispute with her birth father (he does not pay child support, ask for visitation, nothing) - am I recognized as the sole custodial parent? In order to obtain a passport, would I have to hunt him down and pray he signed the release form?

    I'm trying to decide if a possible vacation choice of a cruise is simply too much hassle until she's 16 (when only one parent is required).

    Any advice is greatly appreciated.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Somewhere near Canada
    Posts
    35,894

    Default Re: Passport

    Yes, but not for the purposes you need.

    Because he's on the birth certificate, you need to either file for sole legal custody (which might be your best bet actually), or find him and ask him to sign.

    If you choose the latter, and he refuses, you can then either take him to court (and the court would generally - in your circumstances - rule in your favor) and request that the court compel him to sign, or fill out this form and hope the State Dept grants the waiver.

    If he is truly not around, it might honestly be easier to establish your sole legal custody.

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