Can My Ex Refuse to Sign My Child’s Passport?
Updated: Sep 11
If your ex is refusing to sign or cooperate with your child’s passport application, the first thing to know is that both parents do not usually need to physically sign a UK child passport application.
However, difficulties can arise where parents disagree about the passport application itself or about taking their child abroad.
For separated parents, passports and holidays can sometimes become another source of conflict.
Family mediation can help parents discuss the concerns behind the disagreement and try to find a way forward.
Do Both Parents Need to Sign a Child’s Passport Application?
Current GOV.UK guidance states that an application for a child’s passport must be made by someone with parental responsibility. Both parents’ details will normally be requested, but this does not mean that both parents must physically sign the application. If the applicant cannot provide the other parent’s details, they will normally need to explain why.
You can read the current GOV.UK guidance on applying for a child’s passport.
However, having a passport and having permission to take a child abroad are separate issues.
Where parents are separated, disagreements can arise about whether a child should travel, where they are going, who they will be travelling with or how long they will be away.
What If My Ex Won’t Cooperate With My Child’s Passport?
There can be many reasons why a parent is reluctant to cooperate with a passport application.
They might have concerns about the proposed holiday, want more information about where the child will be staying or be worried about the arrangements while the child is away.
Sometimes, the passport itself is not really the main problem. It can become part of a wider difficulty with communication or trust between separated parents.
When communication has become difficult, repeated messages about the passport can quickly make the situation more stressful.
This is where family mediation may help.
A mediator can help parents identify what the disagreement is really about and have a more constructive conversation about how it might be resolved.
Can My Ex Stop Me Taking My Child Abroad?
Government guidance states that a parent will generally need permission from everyone with parental responsibility, or permission from the court, before taking a child abroad. It also explains that where a Child Arrangements Order states that a child lives with someone, that person can usually take the child abroad for up to 28 days without separate permission, unless another court order prevents this.
Having a valid passport and having permission to take a child abroad are separate issues.
This is general information only. Whether permission is required in an individual case can depend on parental responsibility and any court orders that are in place. A family mediator cannot advise either parent about their legal position. Anyone who is uncertain should obtain independent legal advice.
You can read the current GOV.UK guidance on taking a child abroad.
What mediation can do is provide a neutral space for parents to discuss the proposed trip and try to reach their own agreement.
How Can Family Mediation Help With a Passport Dispute?
Family mediation allows separated parents to discuss practical arrangements in a calm and structured setting.
When parents disagree about a passport or holiday abroad, discussions might include:
where and when the child will be travelling;
who they will be travelling with;
flight and accommodation information;
how long the child will be away;
arrangements for keeping in touch with the other parent;
where the child’s passport will be kept between holidays;
how the passport will be handed over when it is needed; and
how future holidays and passport renewals will be managed.
The mediator remains impartial throughout.
They will not decide whether a holiday should happen or tell either parent that they are right or wrong. Instead, the mediator helps both parents explain their concerns, identify the issues that need resolving and explore possible solutions.
Do I Need Permission to Take My Child Abroad?
The rules around taking a child abroad can depend on parental responsibility, who else has parental responsibility and whether there are any relevant court orders in place.
If you are uncertain about whether consent is required in your circumstances, you should consider obtaining independent legal advice.
Parents can, however, use mediation to discuss consent for holidays and agree what information they would like to share with each other before their child travels.
Discuss Passports and Holidays Before You Book
Where possible, it can be helpful for separated parents to discuss overseas travel before flights and accommodation are booked.
Once money has been spent and a departure date is approaching, both parents can feel under greater pressure and discussions may become more difficult.
Mediation can also help parents look beyond one particular holiday.
For example, you might agree how much notice you will give each other about future trips, what information will be shared, where your child’s passport will normally be kept and how it will be handed over when either parent needs it.
Having an agreed approach can help avoid the same disagreement arising each time someone wants to book a holiday.
What If We Still Can’t Agree?
Mediation is voluntary and a mediator cannot force either parent to agree.
Sometimes parents attend mediation but are still unable to reach an agreement about a passport or overseas travel.
If that happens, parents can consider their other options and may wish to obtain independent legal advice about their individual circumstances.
Even where an immediate agreement is not reached, mediation can sometimes help narrow the issues and give each parent a clearer understanding of the other’s concerns.
Family Mediation for Passport and Holiday Disagreements
If you and your ex are struggling to agree about your child’s passport or a holiday abroad, PAX Mediation can help you have the conversation.
Our family mediators work with separated parents to discuss arrangements for their children in a calm, structured and impartial environment.
We can help you discuss passports, holidays, travel arrangements and wider parenting issues without taking sides or telling either parent what they should do.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Every family’s circumstances are different. If you require advice about your legal position, you should speak to a suitably qualified legal professional.