Originally Posted by kebosabi

I can think of one place where it could be a hassle: single parent applying for a passport for his/her child.

I was raised by my single mom. Luckily it was easier back then because I (or my mom to be exact) applied for my first passport when I was two months old and restrictions were far more lax back then. It used to be "any parent or guardian can apply for a passport for a minor."

Nowadays, in order to prevent things like parents running away with their child for child custody issues and visitation rights, you need consent from both parents to apply for a child's passport of a single father/mother.

I personally know a co-worker who can't go on vacations abroad with her daughters because of this gotcha rule. Father is missing (ditched the family ), so consent from "the other party" is unobtainable.