I Want To Take My Child Out Of The Country, But I Have Been Told I Have To Get My Child's Other Parent To Agree To Allow Him To Have A Passport. What Can I Do In Florida If I Can't Find The Other Parent?
That’s a frustrating situation. Yes, normally in order to get a passport for your child you must get the other parent to agree. If you are unable to locate your child’s other parent, you have to petition the court and get a court order in order to get the passport.
However, if you have sole legal custody of your child, you will not need
the other parent’s signature in order to obtain the passport. Sole
legal custody to one parent is not awarded very often - usually, both
parents have joint legal custody. “Legal custody” refers to
the right to make long-term decisions about a child, including the child’s
education, medical care, and religion. In order for only one parent to
receive sole legal custody, normally it must be shown that the other parent
is unfit, is absent, or is incapable of making decisions about a child’s
upbringing.
If you have joint legal custody over your child, and you cannot find your
child’s other parent, you will have to petition the court for an
order that waives the signature requirement. If you do know where the
parent is but he refuses to sign, you will have to petition the court
to require him to sign.