Consent for Children

What are the requirements for parents' or guardians' consent to passport applications for children under 18 years of age?

Section 7 of the application deals with parental consent for children.

The consent of all guardians is required for all children under 18 years of age, unless the applicant is married. Guardianship should not be confused with custody which involves the day to day caring of the child.

• Married parents of a child are joint-guardians and have equal rights in relation of the child;
• Unmarried parents of a child are not joint guardians, only the mother is automatically a guardian of the child. Entry of the father's name in the Register of Births does not give him any guardianship rights in respect of his child.

The rights of parents to guardianship are set down in Section 6 of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964.

Parents are married or were married

Both parents may fill in and sign the relevant part of Section 7 in the presence of a suitable witness.

If one parent is unwilling or unavailable to give their consent for their child's passport to be issued, a court order dispensing with that parent's consent will be required to proceed with the child's application. This Court Order should direct the Passport Service to dispense with the consent of the unwilling/unavailable parent and allow the Passport Service to issue a passport to your child.

Parents were married but one parent is deceased

The living parent may fill in and sign the relevant part of Section 7 in the presence of a suitable witness.

The original death certificate of the deceased parent together with a Sole Guardian Affidavit form (AFF1) must be submitted. This affidavit should be completed in the presence of a solicitor/commissioner for oaths confirming that the living parent is the sole legal guardian of the child. Print an AFF1 form.

Only mother named on child's birth certificate

The mother of the child must fill in and sign the relevant part of Section 7 of the passport application form in the presence of a suitable witness.

She must also complete a sworn affidavit form (AFF1) in the presence of a solicitor/commissioner for oaths, confirming her as the sole legal guardian. Print an AFF1 form.

Parents not married but both named on child's birth certificate

Child born in Ireland:

Both parents may fill in and sign the relevant part of Section 7 in the presence of a suitable witness.

If the mother is the sole legal guardian of the child, she must complete a sworn affidavit form (AFF1) in the presence of a solicitor/commissioner for oaths. Print an AFF1 form.

If the child's father has been granted guardianship rights from the courts, or both parents have completed a Statutory Declaration stating that the father has become a joint guardian, then the consent of the father is required.

For more information on a Statutory Declaration, contact a solicitor or commissioner for oaths.

Specific Issues Order

If one parent is unwilling or unavailable to give their consent for their child's passport to be issued, a Specific Issues Order, which dispenses with that parent's consent, must be obtained by the relevant court before we can proceed with the child's application.