Yes. In India, one parent can apply for a minor child’s passport without the other parent’s consent in certain circumstances. It is not automatically required that both parents sign the application in every case.
Passport Seva provides Annexure C, specifically for situations where the consent of one parent has not been obtained. Reasons can include separation/divorce, abandonment, the other parent being abroad or unavailable, an ongoing court case, or the other parent willfully refusing consent. Supporting documents may be required.
For example:
- If one parent has exclusive custody without visitation rights, the applying parent can generally submit the court order along with Annexure C.
- If the other parent is refusing consent, Annexure C may be used, along with documents showing the refusal, subject to the Passport Authority's assessment.
- In normal cases where both parents' consent is available, Annexure D is generally used.
So, one parent can get a passport for the child without the other parent's consent, but the circumstances and required documents matter. If there is a court order specifically prohibiting issuance of the passport without the other parent's consent, court permission or the required consent may be necessary.
If this is for a divorced/separated parent, a parent refusing consent, or a child-custody dispute, the exact procedure can differ.
