I know that this is a big topic, and everyone asks the same thing over and over again. I think this might have some different aspects to it - or maybe not.

My ex and I were never married. Does he still have rights to our 2 kids. He did at one point sign a declaration of paternity for state help reasons. He is only on the birth certificate of our son (not our daughter). There has been domestic violence in our past. I moved to a different state to get away from him and took our kids with us. My parents live in a different country and would really like us to come visit. I have been told that since my ex signed my son's birth certificate that I have to file for abandonment against my ex because a passport requires the signatures of both parents if they are on the birth certificate.

My ex has had no communication with me or my children for almost 3 years now - he has never even tried. He denied his kids when he had the opportunity to be with them (before we moved). I am on state help and do have an open child support case and we have never been able to find him.

In this situation (especially for the passport) would I be able to file for child abandonment or is there any other way to get a passport for my kids??

Thanks for your help!