Did you hear about the new passport law?

Question

I just found out that in order to get your child/children a passport, both parents need to be present.

What if your child's father is hard to get in contact with, or worse, refuses to see his child?

The passport law is, in order to get a child a passport, either both parents are there, or the father must sign a contract (power of attorney) stating that he does not need to be present and have this noterized. What do you think of this?

Answer 1

This would be really bad for children whose mothers or fathers have simply disappeared from their lives. What about children coming from abusive homes? Sometimes taking the child out of the country is the only way to keep it safe. Also, what about ex-spouses who use their children to get back at their ex? This kind of thing could stop a child from going on class trips or becoming exchange students. I live abroad. I want my niece, whose daddy is a deadbeat, to be able to visit me. This law will make it extremely difficult for my sister to bring her for even a two-week visit. I mean she would have to find him to get him to sign away his rights, which he's unlikely to do cuz he's a bastard, and also unlikely to sign off on a passport because a trip abroad would be soemthing nice for my sister. Boy, this administration really loves punishing single parents.

Answer 2

No. The borders of our country are so big they are easily penetrated by land. If someone is going to get into our country to bring harm they will enter on foot if neccessary and they won't need a passport. When I was in Italy, I had to give my passport to every hotel I where I stayed. In the US it is hard to tell who is an American because of our multi culture. You can't stop everyone and ask them for their passport. I think it is just another stupid law to make us feel safe. Much like a lot of the airport rules. Passengers go through more BS and we really aren't any safer. Things still get on to planes and un documented workers work on the flight lines. I don't feel safe.

Answer 3

The law seems good for most situations, due to the danger of a parent removing the child from the country without the other parent's knowledge or consent. But of course there are exceptions. Can you get a judicial waiver?

Answer 4

I agree with it simply because of domestic disputes that would warrant this to happen. There was a situation not too long ago where a parent took their child out of the country and the other parent knew nothing about it until it was too late. If you put yourself in that parent's shoes, who had no idea where their child was, than you would probably feel the same way.

Answer 5

I agree with Alex B. Tell the peeps you don't know who the father is if it's not on the birth certificate you're in the clear. If not, tell them you don't know where the father is and ya have no way of contacting him. If all else fails contact your congressman for assistance.

Answer 6

just say you don't know who the father is or don't know where he is.

Answer 7

good idea.