The Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled on May 1, 2025, that a mother can apply for her minor child's passport without needing the father's consent. Justice Battu Devanand emphasized that in the absence of a legal bar, single parents should not face obstacles in obtaining passports for their children. This decision arose from a case involving Shaik Shabana, a single mother from Nellore district, who faced refusal from passport authorities due to her marital status. The court noted that various high courts, including those in Bombay, Telangana, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and Madras, have established precedents allowing single parents to apply for passports without the other parent's consent. The ruling highlights the need for administrative practices to align with statutory provisions and constitutional rights, particularly the right to travel. The court directed the regional passport officer to issue the passport within two weeks, providing significant relief to single parents navigating bureaucratic hurdles.