The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs is urging parents to enroll their children in the Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program amid concerns about international parental child abduction.
The free service alerts a parent or legal guardian when someone applies for a U.S. passport for their child. Department officials describe the program as “one of the most effective tools” to help prevent cross-border parental abduction.
The notification program allows the State Department to contact an enrolling parent or guardian if a U.S. passport application is filed for their child, or if a passport has already been issued. The program covers U.S. citizen children under age 18 and places an alert in the department’s passport lookout system used by U.S. passport agencies, embassies and consulates abroad.
A parent, legal guardian, law enforcement agency, court, Child Protective Services or someone acting legally on behalf of a parent — such as an attorney or family member — can request enrollment. Only U.S. citizens under 18 are eligible. Children are automatically removed from the program when they turn 18.
How to Enroll
Parents or legal guardians who want to enroll their child must first download and complete the request form, DS-3077. One form is required for each child.
Applicants must gather proof of identity, such as a driver’s license, U.S. passport or other government-issued photo ID. They must also provide proof of their legal relationship to the child, such as a birth certificate, custody or guardianship orders, an adoption decree, an affidavit of paternity or similar legal documents.
The completed form and supporting documents can be submitted by email to PreventAbduction1@state.gov for faster processing, or by mail to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Children’s Issues — CPIAP, SA-17, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20522-1709.
After enrollment, parents must immediately notify the office of any changes to their phone number, email or mailing address, and report new legal documents such as court orders, custody changes or protective orders.
Limitations of the Program
Once a child is enrolled, the State Department monitors passport applications for that child, contacts the enrolling parent or guardian if someone applies for a passport, checks whether required two-parent consent has been given, and informs the parent if any U.S. passports already exist for the child. Enrolling parents can still apply for a passport while the child is enrolled, and information about the child’s passport remains available to both parents unless a court has terminated one parent’s rights.
However, the program has important limitations. It cannot block the issuance of foreign passports, prevent a child from traveling internationally once they possess a valid passport, or guarantee that the issuance of a U.S. passport will be stopped. Additionally, it does not monitor passport renewals or applications for foreign citizenship documents.
Parents concerned about foreign passports are advised to contact the relevant country’s embassy or consulate. Parents who no longer wish to receive alerts can request removal by submitting a notarized written request with a copy of their photo ID.
The State Department’s Office of Children’s Issues also provides resources on its website, travel.state.gov/prevention, including guidance on court orders, surrendering passports and other steps parents can take to reduce abduction risk. State courts can order a parent or guardian to surrender a child’s passport, and in some cases hold the passport to prevent international travel.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
