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Press Release

Two-Parent Rule for Applying for U.S. Passports for Minor Children to Change November 1, 2004

Starting November 1, 2004, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) will require that when only one parent appears at AIT to apply for a U.S. passport for a minor child, a notarized written statement of consent from the other parent must accompany the application.

In the past, only a written statement of consent from the parent not present at AIT was required. Now the statement must be notarized, in English, and must indicate the non-appearing parent's unequivocal consent to the issuance of the child's passport. AIT's American Citizen Services office can notarize a consent statement and will not charge a fee for this service. Alternatively, such statements may be notarized by Taiwan district courts.

AIT strongly prefers that both parents appear in person together when submitting applications for passports for minor children under 14 years of age.

The Department of State has amended the two-parent passport consent rule in order to deter fraud and child abduction. For additional information regarding the requirements for applying for a U.S. passport, please check the following AIT website: http://www.ait.org.tw/