Form OP7: passport authorization for minors without parents present

Form OP7: what it is and what the passport authorization for minors without parents present is used for

If you need to apply for your child's Mexican passport but one or both parents cannot be present on the day of the appointment, the Form OP7: passport authorization for minors without parents present is the official solution. This authorization allows the father, mother, or legal guardian to grant written consent so that the Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) can issue the travel document to the minor, even when the authorizing party is in another state or another country.

What exactly is Form OP7?

The OP7 is the official document through which parents, or persons who hold parental authority or guardianship, express their consent for a Mexican passport to be issued to a minor under 18 years of age. Without this authorization, the passport application cannot be completed when any of those holding parental authority does not appear in person.

There is also a variant called OP7/II, used specifically when the authorizing parent cannot attend the same consulate where the passport will be processed, either because they reside in Mexico or in a different city within the United States. In that case, the authorization is signed before the nearest consular office or SRE delegation and sent to the destination consulate. The OP7/II is valid for 90 calendar days from the date it is signed.

Requirements to process the OP7 at a Mexican consulate in the United States

To complete this process at any Mexican consulate in the U.S., parents or guardians must submit the following documentation:

• Original birth certificate of the minor and a letter-size copy.
• Valid government-issued photo ID with signature of each parent, guardian, or person holding parental authority. Any of the following is accepted (original and letter-size copy, both sides on the same page):
  • Mexican passport or passport from country of origin (if foreign national).
  • Matrícula Consular de Alta Seguridad.
  • Voter registration card (INE).
  • U.S. driver's license or state-issued ID.
  • Military Service booklet (discharged).

Important note: The name on the ID must match exactly the name of the father or mother as registered on the minor's birth certificate, with no abbreviations, omissions, or surnames in the wrong order. If either parent uses their spouse's surname on their ID, they must also present the original marriage certificate and a copy.

Special cases to consider

• If one of the parents is deceased: present the original death certificate and a letter-size copy. If issued outside Mexico or the United States, it must include an apostille or legalization.
• If one of the parents resides in Mexico: they must visit the nearest SRE office to their home to sign the OP7 and send it to the consulate where the passport will be processed.
• If one resides in another U.S. state: they must appear at the nearest Mexican consulate to their home to grant the authorization.
• If one of the parents has lost parental authority: the parent who holds exclusive parental authority must present a certified copy of the corresponding court ruling.
• If grandparents or another family member holds guardianship: they must establish their role with a certified copy of the court ruling conferring the guardianship.
• If the whereabouts of one of the parents are unknown: you may request guidance from the consulate's Protection department.

How and where is the OP7 processed in the United States?

Does the OP7 process require an appointment?

It depends on the consulate. Several Mexican consulates in the U.S., such as those in Houston or Denver, handle the OP7 process without a prior appointment, during hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (verify the specific hours with your nearest consulate, as they may vary). Other consulates do require an appointment; in those cases you can schedule one through MiConsulado.

Form OP7 online: can it be downloaded?

The OP7/II form — the one used when the authorizing parent will not be present at the destination consulate — is available to fill out online and download from the official Gob.mx website. However, signatures and fingerprints must be provided in person before a consular or SRE delegation official at the time the file is assembled, so the document cannot be submitted already signed without appearing before an authority.

How long does processing take?

The OP7 itself is an authorization that is formalized on the same day the parent appears before the consulate. What has a time limit is its validity: 90 calendar days for the OP7/II (remote). Once signed, the receiving consulate must process the minor's passport within that period.

Frequently asked questions about Form OP7

Where do I obtain Form OP7?

The official OP7/II form can be downloaded from the Gob.mx portal to fill out before your appointment. However, at most Mexican consulates in the United States it is also handed out directly at the service window. Remember that the signature must always be made before the consular officer.

Do both parents need to be present when applying for a passport?

Under normal circumstances, yes. When both parents or guardians cannot attend the same consulate together, the OP7 is precisely the legal mechanism for the absent party to grant consent from another consulate or SRE delegation. If only one parent holds parental authority (due to death, divorce with court ruling, etc.), that parent may act alone with the supporting documentation.

What is the cost of the OP7?

The OP7 authorization process itself does not have a separate fee at Mexican consulates in the United States [verificar con tu consulado específico]. The payment made corresponds to the minor's passport fees, which vary depending on the validity period requested.

How many days does it take for an OP7 to arrive?

The OP7/II signed before a consulate or SRE delegation is processed on the same day of the appearance. Once the consulate receives and validates it, the minor's passport can be issued within that consulate's standard timeframe. Keep in mind that the authorization is valid for 90 calendar days, so it is important to coordinate well between both parties to avoid letting the deadline lapse.

Can the OP7 be processed for minors who already have an expired passport?

Yes. The OP7 applies both to first-time issuance and to the renewal of a minor's passport. The requirements and procedure are the same in both cases.

What happens if the parent who must sign the OP7 is in Mexico?

They must visit the nearest Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores delegation to their home in Mexico, present their ID and the minor's information, sign the OP7 form there, and the document is then sent to the consulate in the United States where the passport will be processed. The entire process must be completed within the 90-day validity period of the authorization.

Find your nearest Mexican consulate in the United States

Each Mexican consulate in the U.S. may have additional requirements or slightly different procedures. Before visiting, we recommend confirming the service hours for the OP7 process, whether or not an appointment is required, and whether there are any additional documents specific to that location.

At ConsuladosMexico.us you will find contact information, hours, and services for Mexican consulates throughout the United States. Check the page for your nearest consulate, prepare your complete documentation, and complete your process without any issues.

→ Find your Mexican consulate in the U.S.