Updated: 2026-10-16
Quick answer: A child travel consent form, usually called a travel consent letter for a minor, is a signed letter in which a parent who is not traveling gives permission for the child to travel with the other parent, another adult, or a group. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says some countries require one for children who arrive or leave without both parents, sometimes notarized, and Canada recommends one for any child under 19 traveling without both parents. Notarizing it is not always required, but it is the safest choice for international trips.
Legal disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal advice. Entry and exit rules for children are set by each country and change without much notice, and your custody order may add its own travel conditions. Check with the destination country’s embassy or consulate, and talk to a family-law attorney if the other parent will not agree to the trip.
You booked the flights, packed the swimsuits, and printed the hotel confirmation. Then, at the check-in counter or the border booth, an officer asks a question you did not see coming: “Does the child’s other parent know you’re taking them out of the country?”
For separated and divorced parents, that question is routine. Border officers are trained to watch for parental child abduction and child trafficking, and a single adult traveling with a child draws a closer look. A one-page consent letter, signed by the parent who is staying home, usually answers it in seconds. This guide explains when you need one, what it should say, whether to notarize it, and gives you a template to copy.
Table of Contents
- What is a child travel consent form?
- When does a child need a travel consent letter?
- Does a child travel consent form have to be notarized?
- What should a travel consent letter for a minor include?
- Free travel consent letter template
- Is a consent letter the same as passport consent?
- What if the other parent won’t sign?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is a child travel consent form?
A child travel consent form is a short, signed letter in which a parent or legal guardian who is not going on a trip gives permission for their child to travel. It names the child, the adult the child is traveling with, where they are going, and the travel dates. It also gives contact details so a border officer or airline agent can reach the absent parent if they have questions.
There is no single official U.S. government form for this. The State Department’s Form DS-3053 is a consent form, but it covers passport applications, not travel itself (more on that below). For travel, a well-written letter is the standard tool. Canada’s government describes a signed consent letter as “the recommended way” to show that every parent agrees to a child’s trip, and it publishes a fillable version on its consent letter for children travelling outside Canada page.
The letter does not grant custody or override a court order. It is evidence. Its job is to show, quickly and in writing, that the parent who stayed home knows about the trip and agrees to it.
When does a child need a travel consent letter?
A child needs a travel consent letter whenever they cross an international border without both parents or legal guardians. U.S. Customs and Border Protection notes that certain countries require children arriving or leaving without both parents to carry a letter of consent, in some cases notarized, and tells families to check with the destination country’s embassy or consulate.
CBP also says that even for infants crossing by land or sea, the Department of State suggests a consent letter accompany a child who is not traveling with both parents, citing the rise in child abduction in custody cases and child trafficking.
Canada’s guidance is the most specific. It recommends a consent letter when a child travels alone, with only one parent, with friends or relatives, or with a school, sports, or religious group. It says any child under 19 should carry one when traveling abroad without both parents. The Canada Border Services Agency adds that adults entering Canada with a minor should carry a consent letter if they share custody and the other parent is not traveling, or if they are not the child’s parent or guardian.
| Who travels | Letter? | Notarize? |
|---|---|---|
| Both parents | No | — |
| One parent, abroad | Yes | Strongly advised |
| Relative or friend, abroad | Yes, both parents sign | Strongly advised |
| School or team, abroad | Yes, both parents sign | Advised |
| Child alone, abroad | Yes, plus airline forms | Advised |
| Any U.S. domestic flight | Usually no | No |
Domestic travel is different. The TSA states that it does not require children under 18 to show identification when traveling within the United States, and it tells families to check with the airline about its own rules. A consent letter is rarely asked for on a domestic flight. It can still help if the child has a different last name from the traveling adult, or if your custody schedule puts a trip close to an exchange date and you want a paper trail.
Does a child travel consent form have to be notarized?
A consent letter does not have to be notarized in every case, but notarizing it is the safest choice for international travel. Canada’s government says any adult may witness the signing, but it “strongly” recommends that a notary public witness it. The Canada Border Services Agency says to have the letter notarized “to avoid delays.” CBP notes that some countries require notarization outright.
Original signatures matter too. Canada warns that border officials may not accept photocopies or digital versions and are more likely to question them. Carry the signed original, and keep a photo of it on your phone as a backup.
A notary does not check whether the trip is a good idea. They confirm the identity of the person signing and that the signature is theirs. Many banks, shipping stores, and courthouse self-help centers offer notary services, often for a small fee or free for account holders.
What should a travel consent letter for a minor include?
A travel consent letter should include enough detail that a border officer can match it to the child, the traveling adult, and the trip without making a phone call. CBSA says the letter must include the full name, address, and telephone number of each custodial parent or legal guardian. Beyond that, include:
- The child: full legal name, date and place of birth, and passport number
- The parent or parents giving consent: full name, address, phone number, and email
- The traveling adult: full name, relationship to the child, and passport number
- The trip: destination countries, departure and return dates, and flight or travel details if known
- The consent statement: a plain sentence saying you agree to the trip
- Signature and date: signed by every parent or guardian who is not traveling, ideally in front of a notary
- Attachments: a copy of the signing parent’s photo ID, and a copy of any custody order or parenting plan
If you share custody, bring a copy of the relevant court order as well. Canada recommends carrying the consent letter and a copy of any parenting order even when the order already lets one parent make travel decisions alone, because border staff may still ask for proof that both parents agree. If the other parent has died, Canada advises carrying a copy of the death certificate.
Keep the letter to one page. Long letters with legal boilerplate do not help, and they slow down the officer who has to read them.
Free travel consent letter template
Copy this template into a document, fill in every bracket, and print it. Each parent or guardian who is not traveling should sign it, ideally in front of a notary. If both parents are staying home and the child is traveling with a grandparent or group, add a second signature block.
Consent letter for a minor child to travel
I, [full name of non-traveling parent], am the [mother / father / legal guardian] of [child’s full legal name], born on [date of birth] in [city, country], passport number [child’s passport number].
I give my consent for my child to travel with [full name of traveling adult], who is the child’s [relationship, for example father, grandmother, aunt], passport number [adult’s passport number].
Destination: [country or countries]
Departure date: [date] Return date: [date]
Travel details: [airline, flight numbers, or route, if known]
Address during the trip: [hotel or address abroad]
If you have any questions about this trip, please contact me:
Phone: [phone number with country code]
Email: [email address]
Address: [home address]
Signature: [sign here] Date: [date signed]
Printed name: [full name]
[Notary acknowledgment section, completed by the notary]
Attach a photocopy of your photo ID to the letter. If you have a custody order or parenting plan, attach a copy of that too. Your parenting plan template is a good place to add a standing travel clause, so you are not negotiating a new letter before every vacation.
Some countries publish their own required form, and some airlines have their own forms for children flying alone. If the destination country or airline has an official form, use it instead of, or alongside, this letter.
Is a consent letter the same as passport consent?
No. A travel consent letter covers a specific trip. Passport consent covers getting the child’s passport in the first place, and it has its own federal rules.
The State Department’s Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent, explains them. For a child under 16, both parents or legal guardians must appear in person to apply for the child’s U.S. passport. If one cannot, they must submit Form DS-3053 or a separate written statement, signed and sworn before a passport acceptance agent or notary. That consent is valid for 90 days from the date it is signed. For children 16 and 17, one parent’s awareness of the application is generally enough, although the passport official can still ask for written consent.
The form also notes that consent may not be needed if the applying parent shows sole authority, such as a court order granting sole legal custody, the other parent’s death certificate, or a birth certificate that lists only one parent.
| Question | Consent letter | DS-3053 |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | One trip | A passport |
| Asked for by | Border, airline | Passport office |
| Notarized? | Advised | Required |
| Valid for | That trip | 90 days |
A child can have a valid passport and still need a consent letter for a particular trip. Plan for both well before the travel date, because passport processing alone can take weeks.
What if the other parent won’t sign?
If the other parent refuses to sign a travel consent letter, do not travel internationally without resolving it first. Look at your custody order: many orders already say whether either parent may take the child abroad, how much notice they must give, and whether the other parent’s written consent is required. If your order is silent or unclear, you can ask the court to approve the specific trip or to add a travel provision. Our guide to modifying a parenting plan explains how that process works.
Courts tend to look at practical questions: whether the trip has a firm return date, whether the destination country is a partner to international child-return agreements, and whether the traveling parent has strong ties to home. Offering a detailed itinerary, return tickets, and regular video calls with the other parent often makes a judge more comfortable, and sometimes makes the other parent agree without a hearing.
Canada’s guidance also covers a harder case: when getting the other parent’s consent is not possible or would not be safe. If the other parent has been abusive, do not contact them just to get a signature. Get legal advice first, and carry any protective order or custody order that applies. Our domestic violence and custody guide explains how protective orders and custody orders work together.
If you are the parent being asked to sign and you are worried the child may not come back, you do not have to sign. Say so in writing, and talk to a family-law attorney about asking the court for travel restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a child need a consent letter to travel with one parent?
For international travel, yes, it is strongly recommended. U.S. Customs and Border Protection notes that some countries require a letter of consent for children arriving or leaving without both parents, and Canada recommends one for any child under 19 traveling without both parents. For domestic U.S. flights, a consent letter is usually not required.
Does a child travel consent form need to be notarized?
It is not always legally required, but it is strongly recommended for international trips. Canada’s government advises having a notary witness the signature, and CBP notes that some countries require notarization. An original signed letter is better than a copy.
Do grandparents need a consent letter to travel with a grandchild?
Yes, for international trips. When a child travels without either parent, the letter should be signed by both parents or legal guardians, and the grandparent should carry it with the child’s passport. Our guide to grandparent custody covers the separate question of when grandparents can get legal authority over a grandchild.
How long is a child travel consent letter valid?
A travel consent letter usually covers only the trip it describes, from the departure date to the return date. Write a new letter for each trip. The separate passport consent form, DS-3053, is valid for 90 days after it is signed.
Is there an official U.S. child travel consent form?
No single official U.S. form exists for travel consent. Families use a signed letter like the template above. Some countries and airlines publish their own forms, so check the destination country’s embassy and your airline before you travel.
