Passport application for a child

Hi,

I am the uncle of a child who was abandoned by her mother since since was 3 years old. The child lives with us together with his biological father. Child's age is 7 going 8 this August.

May question is how can we apply for the child's passport because she really wants to go to Hong Kong Disneyland? We have been saving for the travel since last year little by little.

DFA said that we need to have the custody of the child transferred to the father so that the father can apply for the passport.

How do we do this? How long would it take? Is it costly? Where can we get lawyer either pro bono or has low professional fee?
Thanks

Parents were married?child bears the lastname of father?

Hi,

The parents were not married but the child bears the fathers lastname.

only the mother of an illegitimate child has parental authority over the child. it is correct that you have to go to court to seek legal custody of the child. you can inquire at the IBP, PAO or law schools, but not sure you will qualify considering you can afford to go to HK Disneyland.