Child Travel Consent

A child travel consent form is a written, usually notarized authorization signed by a parent or legal guardian giving another adult permission to travel domestically or internationally with their minor child. It identifies the child, the consenting parent(s), the authorized companion, and the trip dates and destinations. CBP, the U.S. State Department, and most foreign consulates recommend carrying a notarized letter for international travel to help prevent parental child abduction under the Hague Convention (1980) and 18 U.S.C. §1204.

There is no U.S. federal statute that requires one, but CBP and the State Department strongly recommend a notarized letter, and most foreign countries set their own binding entry requirements for minors. Canada publishes a recommended consent letter template; Mexico requires a notarized authorization; Brazil will only accept a Portuguese authorization executed at a Brazilian consulate; South Africa requires a parental consent affidavit (≤6 months old) plus the child's birth certificate. Always verify with the destination country's embassy or consulate and your airline before departure.

A travel consent letter is a self-help authorization for a specific trip — it does not change custody, parenting time, or child support, and it does not transfer routine medical decision-making. A custody order is issued by a court and sets the legal rights of each parent. Traveling internationally against an active custody order can be parental abduction under 18 U.S.C. §1204.

If the other parent refuses to sign, the form supports a "Non-consenting" status for the second parent. The letter then reflects the consent of the signing parent only and includes a non-consent declaration. If the other parent is "Unable to locate," "Deceased," or you have "Sole custody," the form generates a corresponding declaration and recommends you carry proof — a sole-custody court order, a single-parent birth certificate, or a death certificate. Always consult a family-law attorney for custody disputes or court-ordered travel restrictions.

There is no U.S. federal or state law that requires a consent letter for purely domestic travel, but airlines may require one for an unaccompanied minor or when a child flies with a non-parent companion. Many grandparents, aunts, uncles, and family friends carry a notarized letter when traveling domestically with a child to avoid delays at the gate. Our form's domestic branch is the standard letter with notarization optional.

Yes. The form lets you name any adult 18+ as the authorized traveling companion — grandparent, aunt, uncle, family friend, coach, group leader, etc. For international travel the companion's passport number is captured. For domestic travel, a state-issued ID is sufficient. The companion is also named in the optional emergency medical authorization block, allowing them to consent to emergency treatment if needed.

Yes. The form supports a "solo" companion status for unaccompanied minor travel. Most U.S. airlines charge a separate Unaccompanied Minor (UMNR) fee and have their own paperwork and supervision rules. Our consent letter is in addition to — not a replacement for — the airline's UMNR service.

No. A child travel consent letter is a trip-specific authorization, not a minor power of attorney and not a temporary guardianship. It does not authorize the companion to enroll the child in school, make routine medical decisions, or sign contracts on the child's behalf. It is intended for travel only.