Notarizing DS-3053 in Massachusetts: Mobile, Same-Day
If you are reading this, you are probably a Massachusetts parent with a passport appointment coming up at the post office and a co-parent who cannot make it. The DS-3053 is the bridge across that gap. We notarize DS-3053 forms most weeks – in our Tewksbury office, mobile at your home or office, or by appointment at a coffee shop or library that fits both schedules. Same-day appointments routine. The signing takes 10 to 15 minutes. The completed packet hands off to the appearing parent for the trip to the acceptance facility.
Three ways to get DS-3053 notarized
Book an office visit in Tewksbury, have us come to you anywhere in Greater Boston, or book online for a same-day urgent appointment.
In-office, Tewksbury
Walk in (by appointment) to 1215 Main Street, Suite 115. Mon-Fri 10 AM-5 PM. The form is signed and stamped while you wait, in 10 to 15 minutes.
Starts at $45Mobile to your location
We meet at your home, office, coffee shop, library, or any agreed Massachusetts location. 7 days a week with confirmed booking. Single point of contact, single appointment.
Zone rateTravel deadline this week?
Same-day urgent appointments routine when scheduling permits. Common when a flight is in the next few days and the appearing parent’s passport-acceptance appointment is tight.
Zone rate + premiumWhat DS-3053 is and when you need it notarized
Form DS-3053 is the US Department of State’s Statement of Consent for Issuing a Passport to a Minor. It is required when a child under 16 is applying for a US passport and only one of the two parents (or legal guardians) can appear at the passport acceptance facility.
The federal two-parent consent rule applies to every US passport application for a child under 16. Both parents (or both legal guardians) must consent. The cleanest way to satisfy the rule is for both parents to appear in person at the post office, library, or court clerk acceptance facility with the child. When only one parent can appear, the non-appearing parent completes Form DS-3053 in front of a Massachusetts notary, and the appearing parent submits the notarized form along with the child’s DS-11 application.
For deeper background on the full child-passport process – including DS-11 (the application itself), DS-5525 (Special Family Circumstances when the second parent cannot consent at all), and the post office vs library vs court clerk acceptance options – read our complete Massachusetts child passport guide.
When DS-3053 notarization applies
The most common scenarios bringing Massachusetts parents to our office for DS-3053 notarization.
Different work schedules
Both parents are local but only one can take time off to attend the post office appointment with the child. The other completes DS-3053 by appointment with us.
Travel for work
One parent is traveling on the date of the passport-acceptance appointment. We notarize DS-3053 in advance of the trip; the form sits in a folder for the appearing parent.
Divorced or separated households
Joint legal custody with the children primarily living in one household. The other parent’s notarized DS-3053 satisfies the two-parent consent rule.
Military forward-deployed parent
The deployed parent completes DS-3053 in front of a US Embassy notary, military base notary, or US Consulate, then mails it to the appearing parent in Massachusetts.
Out-of-state parent
One parent in MA, the other in another state. The out-of-state parent gets DS-3053 notarized locally and mails to the MA parent. (We can refer to vetted notaries in other states.)
Step-parent or guardian situations
Step-parent or legal guardian arrangements. The appropriate adult with legal authority over the child completes DS-3053. Always coordinate with a family-law attorney for non-standard situations.
Form DS-5525 instead of DS-3053
When the second parent cannot consent (deceased, sole custody by court order, terminated rights, location unknown), Form DS-5525 (Statement of Special Family Circumstances) is used instead. Read our child passport guide.
Renewals while child is under 16
The two-parent consent rule applies to every US passport application for a child under 16, including renewals. A 13-year-old renewing a passport issued at age 8 still triggers the rule.
Children 16-17
Minors aged 16-17 still apply on DS-11 in person, but the strict two-parent consent rule no longer applies the same way. Parental awareness still required. Read the State Department’s instructions for the current rule.
How to prepare for your DS-3053 notarization
Five minutes of preparation and the appointment finishes in 10 to 15 minutes. Here is the standard checklist.
What to bring to the appointment
- Form DS-3053, downloaded from travel.state.gov (use the most current version) and printed on plain white paper.
- Form fields filled in: child’s full name, child’s date of birth, country or countries of travel, agent (the appearing parent) name, and the non-appearing parent’s information. Do not sign the parent signature line.
- Photocopy of the non-appearing parent’s photo ID, front and back, on plain white paper, full size. Driver’s license, Mass ID, US passport, military ID, or USCIS Permanent Resident Card all work.
- The original photo ID matching the photocopy. We inspect the original at the appointment, even though only the photocopy goes with the form.
- A black ink pen for the signing.
- Method of payment: cash, check, or card. We confirm payment method when the appointment is scheduled.
Common mistakes that delay the appointment
- Form already signed before the notary arrives. We re-sign cleanly in our presence (read our pre-signing guide) but a fresh form is faster.
- Old version of DS-3053 printed (the form revises periodically; download the current version from travel.state.gov).
- Child’s date of birth missing or incorrect.
- Parent ID expired (renew before the appointment).
- Photocopy missing or only one side photocopied (need front and back).
- Photocopy on colored paper, lined paper, or with annotations (use plain white paper, full size).
- Incorrect notary stamp expectations (DS-3053 is a state-notary acknowledgment, not a federal certification).
The 90-day freshness window
This is the part of DS-3053 timing that catches most parents off guard. The Department of State generally treats DS-3053 as fresh for three months from the notarization date. A form notarized today should be submitted at the acceptance facility within 90 days.
If your post office, library, or court clerk appointment is more than three months out from the notarization date, the form may be rejected and require re-notarization. We have re-notarized DS-3053s several times for parents whose appointment shifted later. The fee on the second notarization is the same as the first.
Practical scheduling
- Schedule the DS-3053 notarization as close to the acceptance facility appointment as you reasonably can.
- If you can do both in the same week, do both in the same week.
- If the appearing parent’s appointment is far out (4+ months), wait on the DS-3053 until the appointment is closer.
- Massachusetts post office appointment availability varies by location and season; book the acceptance facility appointment first, then schedule the DS-3053 notarization to fit.
- Remember that summer travel season backs up both DS-3053 and acceptance facility schedules. Plan ahead.
What happens at the DS-3053 notarization
A simple acknowledgment-style notarization. The signing takes 10 to 15 minutes from the time we sit down.
ID check
The non-appearing parent presents their current government-issued photo ID. We verify it matches the photocopy attached to the form. Read our acceptable ID guide for details.
Form review
We confirm the form is the current version, that all content fields are filled in, that the signature line is blank, and that the photocopy of the ID is attached. Quick visual check.
Sign and stamp
The parent signs in our presence. We acknowledge the signature, complete the notarial certificate block, and apply the seal. The form is now ready to travel to the acceptance facility.
After the notarization, the notarized DS-3053 with the photo-ID photocopy attached is handed off to the appearing parent (in person, by overnight mail, or by FedEx/UPS courier). The appearing parent brings the package along with the child’s DS-11 application to the acceptance facility on the appointment date.
Pricing
Transparent fees for DS-3053 notarization. Quoted before any appointment confirms.
Frequently asked questions
The questions Massachusetts parents ask before, during, and after a DS-3053 notarization.
What is Form DS-3053 and when do I need it notarized?
Form DS-3053 is the US Department of State’s Statement of Consent for Issuing a Passport to a Minor. Required when a child under 16 is applying for a US passport and only one parent (or guardian) can appear at the acceptance facility. The non-appearing parent fills out and signs DS-3053 in front of a notary; the notarized form is submitted at the acceptance facility along with the child’s DS-11 application.
How long is a notarized DS-3053 valid?
Generally three months (90 days) from the notarization date. Older forms may be rejected by the acceptance facility, requiring re-notarization. Plan timing so the appearing parent submits well within the 90-day window.
What do I bring to the appointment?
Three things: (1) the DS-3053 form filled in but unsigned, (2) a clean photocopy front and back of your photo ID on plain white paper, and (3) the original photo ID itself. We need to inspect the original even though only the photocopy attaches to the form.
Can a Massachusetts notary fill out DS-3053 for me?
No. Notaries are not authorized to give immigration or passport advice or to complete federal forms on a client’s behalf. We confirm the form is signed in the right place and that the photocopy is attached, but the parent completes the form. The State Department’s instructions at travel.state.gov are clear.
How quickly can you notarize DS-3053?
Same-day appointments routine. Most weeks we notarize several DS-3053s in our Tewksbury office or mobile across Greater Boston, the Merrimack Valley, and the North Shore. In-office (by appointment) Mon-Fri 10 AM-5 PM. Mobile 7 days a week.
What does it cost in Massachusetts?
In-office at our Tewksbury location starts at $45. Mobile within our standard coverage follows zone rates: from $125 (Zone I), $179 (Zone II) or $250 (Zone III). Evening, weekend and same-day rush surcharges apply. We quote pricing before any appointment confirms.
Do I need a witness?
No. DS-3053 is an acknowledgment-style notarial act. The non-appearing parent signs in front of the notary; the notary acknowledges the signature. No additional witnesses are required for the notarization itself.
What if my ex-spouse will not sign DS-3053?
If the second parent will not consent and you do not have a court order granting sole legal custody, the passport application typically cannot proceed. Massachusetts Probate and Family Court can address the dispute. Some sole-custody, deceased-parent, or terminated-rights situations qualify for Form DS-5525 (Statement of Special Family Circumstances) instead. Read our child passport guide.
Who authors and reviews this content?
All content is authored or editorially reviewed by Hanson Webb, an NNA-certified Massachusetts notary signing agent active since 2007.
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Need DS-3053 notarized this week?
Tell us when your post office or library appointment is, where you are in Massachusetts, and your timing. We will confirm an appointment, usually within an hour during business hours. Same-day urgent visits routine.
Tewksbury office: 1215 Main Street, Suite 115, Tewksbury, MA 01876. Mon-Fri 10 AM-5 PM by appointment. Mobile 7 days a week with confirmed booking.
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Tell us your Massachusetts town, your acceptance facility appointment date, and any special timing needs. We will confirm scheduling within an hour during business hours.
