Question: Thank you for the information about getting a passport, but what about for us single parents? Our kids can’t have both parents appear in person. There are a lot of us in this situation.
Answer: You are referring to Tuesday’s column (808ne.ws/611kline), which explained the basic rules for applying for a U.S. passport during walk-in hours at the Hawaii state library. As it said, applicants 15 and younger must be accompanied by both parents. However, there are alternatives when that is impossible.
If only one parent appears, the applicant must also submit one of the following:
>> The second parent’s notarized written statement or form DS-3053 (including the child’s full name and date of birth) consenting to the passport issuance for the child. The notarized statement cannot be more than three months old; must be signed and notarized on the same day; and must come with a photocopy of the front and back side of the second parent’s government-issued photo identification, or
>> The second parent’s death certificate if second parent is deceased, or
>> Primary evidence of sole authority to apply, such as a court order, or
>> A written statement or form DS-5525 (made under penalty of perjury) explaining in detail why the second parent is unavailable. The form DS-5525 asks, among other things, whether a court has ever issued an order about the minor applicant’s custody or travel; whether the non-appearing parent is incarcerated; and how and when the appearing parent has tried to contact the non-appearing parent, including by mail, phone, email and social media.
Such paperwork would be in addition to the application and supporting documents described in Tuesday’s column.
Depending on the specifics of your situation, you may need Form DS-3053, “Statement of Consent, Issuing a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16” or DS-5525, “Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances: Issuing a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16.” You can find links to those forms and to other passport- related forms at 808ne.ws/passforms, on the website of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, which issues passports.
On a related topic, parents who owe more than $2,500 in child support are not eligible for a U.S. passport. “Pay your child support arrears to the appropriate state child support enforcement agency before applying for your passport,” the bureau advises.
The website also has resources for parents involved in custody disputes who are worried that their children will be taken out of the country without their consent. One option is to enroll in the Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program, which you can learn about at 808ne.ws/custody.
Q: Where is the closest marijuana dispensary in the Wahiawa area, near Schofield Barracks?
A: All three of Oahu’s licensed medical marijuana dispensaries are in metro Honolulu; there isn’t one in Wahiawa. The shops are Aloha Green at 1314 S. King St.; Cure Oahu at 727 Kapahulu Ave.; and Noa Botanicals at 1308 Young St. Only customers with qualifying medical-cannabis cards may purchase marijuana there.
Q: Is it legal to sell minors stuff for vaping?
A: No. Hawaii law prohibits the sale or furnishing of tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices and e-liquids, to anyone under age 21, according to the state Department of Health.
Mahalo
Mahalo to Robert at the Mililani Mauka Longs parking lot. He took the time to change my tire, which had a nail in it, and put on the spare. Then I could drive to Goodyear to have the tire repaired. This senior appreciated the help very much! — Janet
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
