Gujarat High Court Allows Passport Renewal Of Minor Children Of Single Mother Without Father’s NOC

The Gujarat High Court allowed a petition filed by a single mother challenging the refusal to renew her minor children’s passports due to the absence of their father’s no-objection certificate.

Referring to Section 4(3) of Schedule II of the Passport Rules, 1980, the Court held that a separated or divorced single parent is competent to apply for a minor’s passport.

The Bench noted that the parties’ divorce had been finalised under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act and that they had entered into an MoU governing custody.

Accordingly, the Court directed the Regional Passport Officer to treat the petitioner as a single parent and renew the passports promptly.