Quick answer
What is DS-5525 used for?
Explain why notarized consent from a parent or legal guardian with custody cannot be obtained for a passport applicant under age 16.
Use this form when
Use DS-5525 only when an exigent circumstance threatens a child's health, welfare, safety, or travel-party unity, or when a special family circumstance makes consent exceptionally difficult or impossible to obtain.
Do not use it for
DS-5525 is not a convenience alternative to ordinary two-parent consent. When the non-applying parent can consent, use DS-3053; when sole authority exists, submit the controlling court, death, birth, or guardianship evidence.
What to prepare for DS-5525
Collect the relevant records before typing. The exact set depends on the applicant and the government instructions or case-specific request.
- The child's and applying parent or guardian's identifying information
- Complete identifying and contact information for the non-applying parent or guardian
- A dated record of attempts by mail, phone, email, social media, relatives, and other channels
- Certified current court orders affecting custody, contact, protection, or guardianship
- Incarceration, emergency, safety, or other documents supporting the claimed circumstance
A reliable fillable-PDF workflow
1. Map answers to source records
Make a people-and-authority map for the filing. Identify the applicant, parent or guardian, representative, acceptance agent, witness, notary, agency contact, and any person supplying evidence. Record each role precisely; similar names or family relationships do not establish legal authority to sign, consent, or submit.
2. Fill a downloaded working copy
Download a fresh DS-5525 directly from the State Department. Save it locally before typing, use a PDF application that preserves AcroForm values, and do not overwrite the untouched source. Complete only facts supported by records; flag missing information instead of inserting a plausible answer.
3. Reopen, inspect, and print
Review the completed PDF by subject rather than page order. Check identity everywhere it appears, then passport history, dates, contact details, selections, explanations, attachments, and signatures. This catches conflicts between repeated fields that ordinary top-to-bottom proofreading can miss.
Critical DS-5525 review points
- 01
Explain concrete facts and dates; simply saying the other parent is unavailable is not enough.
- 02
Disclose the most recent relevant court orders and include certified copies when the form requires them.
- 03
Separate an urgent risk to the child from scheduling difficulty or unwillingness to seek consent.
- 04
Completing DS-5525 does not guarantee that the Department will find an exception or issue the passport.
How to submit DS-5525
Submit DS-5525 and supporting evidence with the child's DS-11 at the in-person passport appointment. The passport authorizing officer evaluates the asserted exception as part of the child's application.
Print passport forms single-sided on 8.5-by-11-inch letter paper in portrait orientation. Use the current PDF and case-specific directions because destinations, fees, evidence, and processing options can change after this guide is reviewed.
Official DS-5525 download and guidance
Clerks AI PDF skill
Prepare DS-5525 from your evidence
Add the official blank PDF and your source records. Clerks AI can map supported facts to interactive fields and flag missing evidence for review. It does not decide citizenship, identity, consent, eligibility, fees, or whether a passport will be issued.
Get the AI PDF filling skillDS-5525 fillable PDF FAQ
Is this DS-5525 PDF actually fillable?
Yes. We inspected the official file's AcroForm tree on 2026-08-09; it contained 45 interactive field definitions. Always download a fresh copy because the Department may replace the file.
Can I submit the filled PDF electronically?
Fillability does not imply electronic submission. Follow the submission section above and the official instructions. Many passport PDFs must be printed, signed as directed, and presented or mailed with evidence.
Can I sign DS-5525 before printing?
Follow the signature rule printed on this specific form. Passport forms commonly require an original handwritten signature, and DS-11 or notarized consent documents have special timing and witness requirements.
Related passport form guides
DS-3053
Statement of Consent for Passport Issuance to a Child
DS-3077
Request for Entry into the Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program
DS-11
Application for a U.S. Passport
DS-82
U.S. Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals
DS-5504
Application for Passport Correction, Name Change, or Limited Passport Replacement
Primary sources: the Department of State Passport Forms portal and official DS-5525 PDF. Independent guide by Clerks AI; not affiliated with the Department of State and not legal advice.
Last researched 2026-08-09. Recheck the official PDF, fee schedule, processing times, and instructions before filing.