Solo Parents, Grandparents and Guardians can satisfy legal requirements before crossing international borders with minor children by using these Permission to Travel Letter and Children’s Consent forms.
The Family Travel Forum community has learned the hard way that you need this paperwork: in the special FTF report “Permission To Travel Letters And Why You Need Them,” we interview consular officers, immigration agents and tourism officials to explain why.
Learn more:
• Permission to Travel or Consent to Travel Letter
Whether you’re married and leaving a spouse behind to work; grandparents taking grandchildren on vacation; same sex couples with adopted children; a divorced parent on a road trip to Canada -– even a military family trying to reunite for a holiday — you should be carrying notarized copies of the proper Children’s Consent Forms or Permission to Travel documentation. This is the form to use if you’re friends and family traveling with a minor child.
• Minor Consent to Travel Form
The same regulations apply to minors under 18 who are leaving the United States with school groups, teen tours, or friends on a vacation. If the supervisors of your child’s tour have not provided their own, you can use the email request form below to obtain a sample one. This is the form used for school / tour groups who are supervising travel with your minor child.
• Medical Treatment Authorization Letter
Additionally, FTF recommends that travelers vacationing with children other than their own carry a Medical Treatment Authorization Letter assigning them responsibility for a child’s care in case of medical emergency. This optional affidavit does not have to be notarized but we strongly recommend you also carry a copy of the minor child’s health insurance information..
Obtain the Necessary Forms Now
A sample of each of these forms may be requested via the email form below. Please note that new Canada regulations request adults entering the country with minors carry a photocopy of the signature page of the passport belonging to the guardian whose signature is on the permission letter.
Note that South Africa, which used to require much more stringent paperwork for foreign minors arriving by air, sea or land, has waived all document requirements except a valid passport. See a full list of Requirements for Children Travelling Through South African Ports of Entry.
Before you head out on a family vacation, protect your loved ones with much-needed travel insurance. Kids traveling with parents or grandparents are also insured free through Allianz when traveling on a family vacation.
Get Blank Consent Forms & Required Documents Now
Crossing borders with children is serious business, and Permission to Travel, Medical Treatment Authorization and Consent for Minor Travel Letters could save your next vacation. To obtain them, please complete the following request, then check your email inbox and/or spam filter. Your reply email includes instructions to download three forms that you can fill out and use. Remember that Permission to Travel Letters and Consent Forms for Minor Travel should be signed and notarized. Keep blank copies to use on future trips.
To keep you up-to-date with ever-changing travel safety and security regulations, you will be subscribed to the FTF travel alerts e-mail list You may unsubscribe at any time. We do not sell, barter or trade your personal information. Read Family Travel Forum’s Privacy Policy if you have concerns.
And most importantly, safe there and safe home!
Don’t Forget! A Few More Tips!
Be sure your child carries two copies of every notarized document (even a photocopy may work) in case an immigration or border official decides they need to keep one for their files.
• Additional Travel Documentation and ID
Regardless of where you travel outside the United States, when you are crossing a border by land, sea or air you will need to have proper identification documents for each traveler in addition to the above letters. Please see the Customs & Border Protection Site if you are unsure about the type of ID documents you and your family need.
• Additional Useful Papers
A March 2019 report by Scott McCartney in the Wall St. Journal noted some other documents which might prove essential, depending on the destination. These include an original, raised stamp birth certificate for each minor in your party, extra passport photos on white backgrounds, plus about US$50 in small bills so that you can purchase entry visas on the spot. Be sure to assign a neighbor or relative back home the responsibility of retrieving some of these documents and sending them, if you need them after departure.
• Travel Insurance Really Works!
If you’re prepaying a big vacation with flights, hotels, cruises or any other non-refundable fee — or just worried about a “what if” moment when traveling with someone else’s child — getting a family travel insurance policy is a good investment, and costs less than you think.
If you have any questions or would like to read more about why these papers are requirements and how rules are enforced, read “Permission To Travel Letters And Why You Need Them.”
If you’re still unsure, feel free to get in touch with our office and we’ll do our best to help out. Thanks for your attention to this critical matter!
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
203 Replies to “Required Documents For Travel With Minors”
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Do you know if the Philippines are offering any kind of residency or tourist visas right now with covid-19 going on? I’d like to take my family there, thanks.
Hi, nice blog. Very informative and helpful. Please take a few minutes to share your unaccompanied minor flight experience. Several popular airlines are listed on http://unaccompaniedminortravel.com which will help real people like you to be better informed. This is the only site that offers actual unaccompanied user travel feedback as well as all of the information you might need. This site is new so we are also anxious to hear from you if you yourself have in the past used the Unaccompanied Minor service. Thanks!
If a court order states that one parent can travel abroad with the child without the consent of the other parent, what documentation is required? We recommend carrying a copy of the court order stating that the other parent’s consent is not needed to travel abroad with the child. Any questions about the wording of the court order should be directed to a family lawyer.
Is a consent letter mandatory? There is no Canadian legal requirement for children to carry a consent letter. However, a consent letter may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving a foreign country, airline agents or Canadian officials when re-entering Canada. Failure to produce a letter upon request may result in delays or refusal to enter or exit a country.
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Note that Global Affairs Canada cannot provide you with advice about the Consent Letter for Children Travelling Abroad beyond what is offered on this website.
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Hey, This article posted at this website is really good.
great useful info you have shared , being a traveler i need it most and it’s really helpful for the first time travelers. thanks for sharing.
Traveling with kids is fun but also very tired as we have to take care of them and don’t have much time for ourselves. Sometime I prefer traveling alone.
Thanks for posting, very valuable information .
Hi,
I would like to travel out of the US with my son. I understand that I would need his father to sign and notarize a letter. He had not been a stand up dad to take care of his responsibilities so he left and I can’t find him. What can I do in a situation like that to travel with my son?
Very Useful especially who travel with there kids
Good information thanks for posting
For Richard re: dual citizenship US-Nicaragua… can I use the same to travel back to Nicaragua with the same Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) since wife is staying back in Nicaragua to keep eyes on the house.
Hi Richard, In our travel experience, this type of document should work well for your travels, but if your wife is available, it can’t hurt to download the sample forms we have online and also have her fill out and notarize one for your trip with your child. The agency responsible in your case will be the carrier — we assume an airline — and if they can make a note in your travel record that they have approved the Nicaraguan documents you should be fine on both departing and entering.
Safe Travels!
As a signal parent, your life, world, actions are based on your childs well fair. Not your happiness or anything that has to do with you.
It should list where they are going, the dates that they are allowed to go and grant your permission for that trip. You want to include your address and phone number and probably the contact info for the adult traveling as well.
Thanks for Sharing
Hello guys my wife and I have dual citizenship US-Nicaragua, I’m planning to travel to the US with our son also dual citizenship for 3 weeks, with a Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) from Nicaragua, can I use the same to travel back to Nicaragua with the same Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) since wife is staying back in Nicaragua to keep eyes on the house.
very informative article Travel forums provide first hand experience and advice to travelers and are a great source of information and travel tips.
for travel permissions in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh in India you can contact palaholidays.com a leading tour operator and travel guide exclusive for Jammu and Kashmir Tourism
Hello Dr Ramesh,
If both legal guardians or birth parents of the child are traveling with the child, you will not need any other documentation, except everyone’s visas and passports. Check with your employer about medical insurance. If they will not provide medical coverage overseas, you can inquire with your U.S. based insurance company about what they provide. Some travel insurance companies sell one-year policies to cover students studying overseas and that might be another option. Safe Travels!
Sir, we both are going Europe with work visa on base of permit. Taking our 3year old child with us. Any letter or medical form/ paper we need to carry with us?
Hello Annetta,
Yes, one Permission to Travel or Consent Letter can list more than one child on it, if the contact information for the legal guardians/birth parents is the same.
Safe travels!
Can I use one concept form to apply for two sibling from the same father
Helpful Post
Travel Forum are always helpful
Hello Clary, we are not attorneys but we do not see a need to have a power of attorney over your cousin for your trip. A permission to travel letter from the guardians, as well as a medical authorization letter — in case your cousin needs medical treatment — should be fine for your trip. This letter should come from the guardians, not you, so they should do it now rather than wait till your arrival to finish the paperwork. When they fill it out does not matter, since the letter will have the travel dates that your cousin will be with you. Have a safe trip and enjoy!
Hello
I’m traveling with my cousin who is a minor to South Korea in July 2018 its less than 20 days away along with the travel to consent letter should I get a temporary power of attorney. Also should I set a specific time frame to do these things or can I do it the day before we leave. I ask because I have to travel to where she lives and we are flying out of her city two days after I get there.
What a wonderful graduation present! We cannot speak on behalf of the government of Korea, as they determine their visa policy for citizens of all countries who want to visit. What we suggest is that you contact the Korea Embassy in the US – 202-939-5600 – as you are U.S.citizens, and ask them for their advice.
Regardless of the visas, it is important that when you travel with your minor niece you have the Permission Letters, so that is a great first step.
Have a safe trip, please let us know if we can be of help.
My wife and I (US citizens) want to to take my 16 year old niece (who is a FIlipino citizen) to Korea for a graduation gift. We plan to pick her up in Philippines and fly together to Korea. We have all parental permissions and have proof of ability to support her trip. Is it possible for my niece to obtain the visa? A travel agent in the Philippines is telling us no.
This article explains the forms that we recommend and why they are needed for the 16-year-old: http://myfamilytravels.com/content/14513-permission-travel-letters-and-why-you-need-them
There is a field within the article where you can input your email address to request that blank forms are sent to you. Please check your Inbox and spam filter for a confirmation email that will ‘confirm’ your request, and once you have clicked on it, you should get a second email with the forms themselves.
My 16 yr old is planning to go to Costa Rica with an 18yr old and a 19 yr old. What papers do I need to fill out and have him bring?
Submitted by D.A. to moderator
Traveler Carla K asks:
My eleven year old son will be traveling with his grandmother to Vietnam and Cambodia. They will have a plane change in Korea (which will be a port of entry, so I assume they will go through immigration and customs here as well).
This is my question: Do I need to sign and notarize three separate forms (one per country)?
Our answer:
We are not attorneys but we recommend that you have several copies of the same form, and that the form include the travel information about the whole itinerary. In terms of changing planes, there may not be a need to go through Immigration in Korea. However, if you have an original form that mentions all the flights/countries within a broad range of travel dates, and have photocopies that grandparents can leave behind if requested by an Immigration official, they should be fine.
We wish your son and his grandmother a safe and fun trip — it certainly sounds like a fascinating journey to us.Thank you and please get in touch with other questions.
The CPB has some useful advice on this topic on their web page: http://ow.ly/Q2WEY
Hi Debbie,
You will want he Medical Authorization Form from each child's parents with a photocopy of their insurance card.
Then you can use the last form which is for group tours, school outings etc. It is fine for domestic travel, Include travel info for each child so that parents assign you guardianship for certain period of time only.
Get these forms notarized. Make several photocopies in case an adventure tour operator wants to keep one. Or, if you all travel on same flights, get one long form, like a petition, and be sure both of each child's parents or guardians sign it.
You should be fine with it. Does the hotel know? Many states say it is illegal for a minor to occupy a room without an adult present. You may need connecting rooms guaranteed.
Enjoy the trip and write about what you did!
JaguarZ writes to the Admin with a very good question:
I will be traveling to Hawaii, originating on the eastcoast, with 4 minors (only 1 is my child) – they will all be 17 at the time of travel. I need to be able to "act as their guardian" — for example, sign waiver forms for activities, seek medical coverage if necessary.
I found a form or two on the site, but they seem geared toward international travel and do not seem to include the ability to "sign the waiver forms" I mention above. Any suggestions? I realize I may be able to get some of these forms signed before we leave, BUT for those activities they decide on when we are there — H E L P!
Thank you so much for your anticipated support
Debbie
Good morning,
I wanted to give you some feedback…. We went to your site to determine what documentation was needed for my grandson to travel with me to Canada, and printed out two forms. We had one of the forms notarized as suggested, and set out on our trip the next day. When we arrived at the border, I was told we did not have proper identification! The page we had been working from on your site did not say anything about a birth certificate or photo ID, which they said I should have had. PLEASE amend that page to say something like… “In addition to a birth certificate and photo ID, these other documents are recommended…”
Thank you so much for your responsiveness. You may mention this on other pages on your site, but it really should also be on the documentation page.
Janet Gill
Does Australia require a PERMISSION TO TRAVEL letter?
Tthe Information about the documents required for the children for traveling abroad is great! You have provided the required form is appreciated and made more convinient.
Very informative and nice post. This post will be good guide for people who trvavel frequently and do not care about the leagal issues. This post will really help them to understand the involoved leagal issues and other things related to traveling in forrign countries.
if I were you…I would be making the "Mom" come to her children for a visit NOT the other way around. The kids should not be put out by her especially if they havent seen her in 2yrs.
this is really good to know, as Im really affected by this "Solo Parents, Grandparents and Guardians can satisfy legal requirements before crossing international borders with these Permission to Travel And Consent forms.
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Great travel guide and form description for new travelers.. helps a ton..
It's best to be as specific as possible, because these letters include the dates and destinations for your trip. We would suggest that you note the full date range (from… to ….. and make it a bit longer just in case), then you put down as many countries as you think are possible. List Germany and all the contiguous countries and add a few more, better more than not mentioning one you will visit.
Also, you should carry 2 notarized copies of the Permission to Travel Letter (put one with your passport to show at Immigration and flight check-in; keep the 2nd one in the child's luggage in case you lose one or an Immigration official wants to keep it). Enjoy your trip!
What should the letter of consent say if I, a single parent, am taking my daughter to Germany, but then crossing other borders into bordering countries on our vacation? I may not know specifically what other countries we will be visiting until we get into Europe (we are staying with friends in Germany and they will be taking us around Europe for a bit).
Taking children with you when you travel all over the word can be a hassle. I have had to do it myself on occasion. When my family and I were looking into moving (http://www.angieslist.com/moving/) over seas for work, it became even more difficult getting the documentation together. Though once you have al of the paperwork squared away you can save it again for another time.
My childrens mother gave my 8 and 9 year old daughters to me to raise 2 years ago. She hasn't seen them in 2 years. She wants a 2 week visit with them in another state. I need a form to have her sign to make sure she returns the children to me by a certain date.
I certainly enjoyed the way you explore your experience and knowledge of the subject! Keep up on it. Thanks for sharing the info
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Information about the documents required for the children for traveling abroad is great! You have provided the required form is appreciated and made more convinient.
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Again, politic caused a mess. I do not know what is wrong with politic, but I think it just make everything hard. I never found that politic bring good things to society.
I was looking for a simple medical authorization and found so much more. Excellent resourse. Thanks!
Long time ago all was whiteout documents — Now document are used to protect the Gold acumalted and to Deny acces to foreigns to see that …
Don't go to your sister's wedding. Don't worry about any one else other than your child. Your ex-husband is waiting for an opportunity to prover you more concern over others than your child. The wedding is an example.I'm sure your sister will understand your situation. Your main concern is your child and getting full custody of him/her. As a signal parent, your life, world, actions are based on your childs well fair. Not your happiness or anything that has to do with you.
I need to get a International Travel Consent form. I'm sorry but I can not wait until March 8th. My exwife is taking our son on a Carribean Cruise. Should I also get her an Authorization for Medical Consent form? I want the two of them to be covered no matter what may happen. Thank you for your help!
Sorry for any inconvenience, but the migration of our site to new servers has made the Permission Letter forms temporarily unavailable to users. Should be resolved by 8 March 2011. Please contact us by email if you need a copy before that date. Thank you for your understanding.
Your idea to post the required documents information for the 10 most popular travel countries is a great one, but unfortunately, that information might change depending on where the family was coming from and going to each of those 10 countries.
For American citizens, the U.S. Dept of State website at http://travel.state.gov is still the best and most up to date resource, as you can search their Country Guides for the one you will be visiting, and read the latest regulations.
Citizens of other countries should check their own foreign ministry to determine what is required in terms of visa and childrens permission documents.
I like this direct no nonsense article and it is accurate and how it should be. I just hope this is taken seriously in all countries.
Nice to hear from here. Thanks a lot.
to many papers for a simple trip… sometimes this situation will ruin all the fun and prefer to stay home.
I prefer to travel without my children… just with my wife
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Family travel forum gave me a lot of useful information for my intentions.
Great solution to everyday traveling problems. If you manage things on first hand they will be a lot more simple.
It would be really nice if you could make a post where this information would be displayed for the 10 most traveled countries. Just an idea. Best regards.
to many papers for a simple trip… sometimes this situation will ruin all the fun and prefer to stay home.
Way to focus and straight to your point, i love it.
That is quite a nice webpage for parents. But today it is easier to find this stuff, when the search engines are around.
sometimes I prefer to stay home… we need so many papers to travel with our child.
Quite a useful information on important documents. Thanks for it.
Tips about Required Documents For Travel With Minors are great!
maurice doyle: You should certainly be in touch with the airline's Customer Support staff to get a refund for any fees you paid to have an escort, if no one was provided. However, most of the airlines don't require an escort for a child that is 14 years old, even when changing planes, therefore they may not have broken any laws by not having one available.
my grandson flew from sacramento ca. to nixa mo he is 14 yrs of age.We paid for an escort to get him to the next flight out of denver co.at sacramento they told my daughter that it was the last flight out and there is nobody to escort him.can you plese help me with this i want to claim my refund.thany you
Maurice Doyle
417 724 9931
This is a normal requirement with any business who are in the care of under aged young people. I believe there is a medical consent that is required at the time of any travel plans.
sometimes is to much and you will leave the children at home. I dont know why they want that many documents
this guide help in a sense that people often get confuse on how to tackle basic things even. So your post is great for that purpose!
in my opinion is to much. Sometimes is better to stay at home.
Thanks for sharing..
sometimes I prefer to stay at home my my children… there are to many documents required
I think most of these documents are those that people know well, but for new travelers this guide help in a sense that people often get confuse on how to tackle basic things even. So your post is great for that purpose!
Thanks, I had been looking for these forms for a friend of mine. Thanks for putting them up here. Nice and informative.
As a single mom it is very helpful to me to have this information available. thanks for making it easy to figure out what I need to take my baby to DR next month.
Yes these points are very important to remember if you are traveling for the first time. Nice post.
For all the travelers who are seeking info on internet regarding requirement I would recommend your page. A handful of prior knowledge will always help you out.
site is pretty helpful for travellers, thanks a lot!!
Valuable information! Looking forward to seeing your notes posted.
You presented very useful tips for particularly those who are traveling for the fist time.
thank you for the tips… you helped me to choose the right destination for the winter vacation.
Thx. Because of this article I know now, what kind of documents I need. I can not expect the next holiday. Best regards
basically have to point out you come up with several fantastic points and definitely will write-up a variety of options to add in just after a day or two.
If you're traveling for the first time it would be too difficult to do all stuff yourself. Make sure you are availing professional assistance.
It is always good to have all the information before heading towards any tour. All the papers should be compiled at a place. this article is useful in true sense. Thanks a lot.
I think is site is pretty helpful for travellers, thanks a lot!!
it is good to be informed before you start the holiday… you can have many issues with your children
Looks like you are a specialist on this because you just made it so easy to be with you, motivated me to learn more on the subject! May I ask you, do you devote a lot of effort to it because you seem to be so in tune with issue? Thanks
I needed it badly last year when I had to visit my brother and his wife 🙂 Thanks anyway it is definitely helpful for many of us.
great posting your article is surprisingly helpful for people that are traveling to different countries like myself and that do not have the know how to get this type of stuff figured out
I don't think so..Medical Treatment Authorization Letter is too much important while any trip…
Intimately, the publish is truly the top on this valuable subject. I concur with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward for your coming updates!…
Useful tips! they are going to help me when i have nothing in mind to blog about, thanks
This site is pretty helpful for travellers, thanks for creating it!
I think is site is pretty helpful for travellers, thanks a lot!!
Cruises make for great family vacations. One of the things I like most about cruises is that you can really give your kids a lot of freedom. You can give them more freedom on a cruise ship than you can on a land-based vacation. Where are they going to go? How far can they go? But, I think one of the other main advantages of a cruise is that it has something for everybody. It has activities for kids usually starting at about age two, up to seniors. I've seen hundred-year-old people on cruises.
The biggest thing that I always try to remind parents is that it is not how much you do, but it is rather how much fun you had doing it. Kids like to go back to things, so if you have planned too many things, then you won't get to do it all. One of the major advantages of travelling with kids is that you pick and choose what you are going to see and do much more carefully.
It is very necessary to know the formalities when you are traveling abroad with your minor children and now that we have this article which goes into all the details that you should know when you cross borders with your minor children, it will be very helpful in planning our holiday or other trips without any hassle! With even the facility to email them for the required forms you need, this is going to make things real easy for us!!
Thanks for the tips. They surely will be handy the next time I go to a vacation with my family
No, medical treatment authorization letters are optional. If you are concerned that something might happen to your nephew under 18 (like breaking a leg that might require a cast), you should ask his parents/guardians to give you a letter authorizing you to act on their behalf if he's hurt, with a copy of the medical insurance card.
Otherwise, most doctors/hospitals won't treat a child without parental consent unless it's a life threatening situation. That letter does not need to be notarized.
Hello, I'm planning a trip with my nephew. Do I need Medical Treatment Authorization Letter? If yes, where can I get it arranged in a proper way?
You will have to check with a lawyer to determine what legal actions, if any, can be taken. As said in the story, the carrier — airlines or cruise company, train or bus — that transports minors without the proper paperwork is the responsible party.
What legal actions can you take if your child have travel out of the country without the other parent consent when both parent have joint legal custody? The other parent was not aware that a consent form has to be notorized in order for the child to travel to another country and somehow the other parent took him out of the country on several accassions.
GDFG
Sole custodians — whether by divorce, death or another reason — must be able to present a legal document to verify their sole guardianship of the minor who is traveling. If you have that, only passports are needed (and visas depending on the country).
Hi I will traveling with my 8 year old daughter to Mexico. She has a passport. What other documents are needed to enter/exit Mexico? I have sole custody and have no contact with my former spouse.
Gloria – it sounds like your friend will need some documents that verify she has sole custody of the children. Maybe the local legal aid group can help her with this. Then she will not need to have a permission letter, but she will need to carry her sole custody papers with her while traveling.
very good side
Please send link to travel permission form
She will need a Permission to Travel Letter as specified in this article; please read it and use the link at the end to request sample letters.
My 16 year old daughter will be traveling with another family to
Atlantic, Bahamas. Besides her passport
what other documents will she need for traveling.
Hi Shana,
Yes, in addition to your passport, you will need a notarized letter from both birth parents or guardians allowing you to travel outside the U.S., whether with friends, school group, grandparents, etc. You should also take a copy of the Medical Authorization form unless you are covered by your own health insurance policy.
We posted a "Travel Authorization for Minors Letter" on the site, so you can fill out the email form at the end of this story, and get a link by email to a PDF to download it. Have a great time, the DR is beautiful!
Hi. I'm 17 and i am trying to go to Dominican Republic in January 2011, & I am going to be going without my parents but i'm going with 3 people ages: 18,19,20. What documents would I need in order to go? and would there be any situations that i would need other documents because im not legally an adult?
alexis,
Are you a Canadian citizen? If so, a passport and letter of permission from parents is great to have; however, a notarized letter is better as that's what the Canadian government recommends.
Make sure to have some extra copies in case border officials want to keep a copy when you cross over both ways.
Have fun and happy birthday to your boyfriend!
This is a great resource!
I will never forget as a child I was on my Dads passport and one year something changed and we had real trouble travelling.
What caused all the confusion was my age at the time. We needed a great site like this to help us!
Vanessa and marsu,
From our experience, it sounds like you both have enough documentation already to travel with these children out of the country.
Remember, these papers are not meant to challenge you, they are meant to protect the minors and give Border and Immigration agents some legal tools if they suspect the child is being kidnapped.
However, contact the airline you are flying with and see if they will be satisfied with these papers — it's the carrier who is responsible for checking on these documents before allowing you to leave with the minor.
My 17 year old son is going to Canada for a basketball camp with his coach. He has an enhanced Id. What else do I need to have with them.
<a href="http://www.thespencer.com/">Thats</a>crazy, all the things they make us do just to travel
I am traveling to VietNam to visit my family with my stepson. I am not US citizen but I have a green card. My stepson is US citizen. what documents should I complete? My stepson passport and the notarized authorization from my husband and his exwife, is that enough?
Hello, my USA citizen minor child is traveling to Ecuador with me and my mother. I have a general (no dates) consent notarized paper signed by his father which states “hereby authorize my minor child ………travel freely without restrain, in my absence, and without any additional written consent or authorization required from me†Is this enough to take him out the country? He has child support and we shared custody. My second question is: My son is coming back from Ecuador to the USA with my mother (I will fly back a week before) does she need a consent document from me and him to bring back my son? Can it be just from me and use the same consent notarized paper I used to take him out? Thank you for your advice and help.
Hello, my USA citizen minor child is traveling to Ecuador with me and my mother. I have a general (no dates) consent notarized paper signed by his father which states “hereby authorize my minor child ………travel freely without restrain, in my absence, and without any additional written consent or authorization required from me†Is this enough to take him out the country? He has child support and we shared custody. My second question is: My son is coming back from Ecuador to the USA with my mother (I will fly back a week before) does she need a consent document from me and him to bring him back? Can it be just from me and use the same consent notarized paper I used to take him out? Thank you for your advice and help.
Thanks for your questions. Unless both birth parents or legal guardians of a child under 18 are flying into or out of the United States and most other countries with that child, the accompanying adult should have written permission from the parents/guardians of the traveling child.
It can be a simple permission letter stating where, dates of travel, who will be temporary guardian and how to reach fulltime guardian. Many countries want this letter notarized so that the signatures have been verified.
Having another letter saying that full time guardians give permission to temporary guardian to authorize medical care in case of emergency is a good thing to have to. This does not have to be notarized but it sometimes helps to have a copy of the child's medical insuurance.
Safe trip, safe home
I am traveling to VietNam to visit my family with my stepson. I am not US citizen but I have a green card. My stepson is US citizen. what documents should I complete? My stepson passport and the notarized authorization from my husband and his exwife, is that enough?
4 yr old grandson traveling with grandma from st thomas, virgin islands what will i need?
fantastic informations
jackie – depends on if you're coming from Canada or Mexico. Nephew will definitely need written permission letter from birth parents to travel with you to U.S. Check with your home country whether he can come to U.s. with birth certificate or if he needs passport. Safe trip –
I will be travelling with my nephew to the US by car in July he is 15yrs. what document form to I need
It's best to have a notarized consent letter for travel with your daughter to any country; what country are you coming from?
I`ll travel with my douther to USA, do I need notaraized permisson leter from my husband .
Information on the documents required to travel as a single parent with children can be found at http://www.thailand4kids.com/pages/freestuff.html
The download explains the requirement and gives advice on obtaining permission to travel and things for the non travelling parent to consider when giving permission.
I'm having trouble requesting the permission forms through this site.There is a message for a list request? Anyone know where else we can get these forms?
Thanx
I think so but not sure if it is too late to reply back to it.
Require sample letter to grant grandmother authorization to travel from Canada to the US with minor grand som.
im a little confused on what the letter should say and its such a head ache because ex are so non helpful please advice me on what should the letter say!
Hi Mariya,
This paperwork is not an American requirement; many governments expect to see a Permission to Travel Letter or proper custodial documents from any visitor entering or leaving their country with a minor under 18. You should do it.
Both my daughter and I are U.S. citizens but my husband is here on Green Card. M daughter and I are traveling to ukraine this summer without my husband. DO I need these forms from him allowing me to take her accross the border?
Mary,
you can find the form you need at the end of this story. Please fill out the form and it will be emailed to you.
Looking for a Parental Form to take my daughter to US without husband/dad
well this is really nice site.This may very much helpful in making vacation plans……..
========
Shelly
<a href="http://www.easybooktravel.com"
rel="dofollow">Easy Travelling</a>
Tiffany-
In the U.S., each state has its own laws about "transporting minors" over state lines, so it's recommended that the parent in charge (say, of a sports team), have written permission from all guardians, as well as a medical permission letter in the event the minor child needs medical treatment.
I would assume the same applies in Canada, but you could check with the airline your child is flying on.
Do you need a letter if your child is travelling with a friend within Canada by air?
I think you might need it.
My husband and I are leaving together to France with our 2 kids, but he is coming back on his own and I stay another 3 weeks with the kids. Does he still need to sign a letter for me?
Hi Jose,
No there is no limit on the number of minors that their legal guardian can travel with. Just be sure that you have all the minors' names and passport numbers noted on the Travel Permission Letter. Have a good trip!
Hi. My wife is planning on a trip to her native country with our 2 kids (ages 9 & 6). I won't be accompanying them. Can she travel with 2 minors with my consent? Or, is there a limit as to how many minors can an adult person can travel with (1 adult and 1 child only)? Please advise. Thanks.
great tips thanks
thanks for the tips its help me much.
Hi Sherry,
Please go the last page of this article and you can fill out a simple form so that our system can send you an email with the requested forms.
Thanks, FTF staff
Need travel consent form for minor child
Welcome to New *Travel Friend * blog launch
http://groups.google.com/group/travel-friend
Getting forms notarized is really important – read this blog post –
http://www.familytravelforum.com/share/blogs/13925-Easy-Travel-Agent-Can-ItOr-Maybe-Not.html
My husband and I along with my 17yr old son are going to the Dominican Republic in March, my husband is Not the father of my son, because of my son's age, do I still need the consent letter?
I am a single parent who has traveled with my children to numerous countries. The only country that I had an issue with is Chile. I had to have my ex-husband sign a document that he was aware and agreed to allow me to bring my children to Chile. It was handled by the consulate in the U.S. and a notation was made in their passports and stamped by the local consular officer. I had also heard from a Chilean friend that he had brought another friend and her child to the airport and they were questioned by Chilean immigration officials as they were passing through immigration to depart Chile. I have not had this issue with other countries that I have visited with my children. The information is available on what is required in order to prevent child abduction by parents on travel.state.gov on the consular information sheets. We have traveled without incident in the EU, Switzerland, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Peru and Egypt. The main issue is just visas which in a lot of countries are required of all U.S. citizens.
If you would like to see the forms all you need to do is fill out the request for sample letters. They will confirm your email address and than email you the links. However it is also important to note that there is no formal version of this letter. What is important is that you have a letter that lists the non-traveling parents names giving consent to whichever adult with be with the child. It should list where they are going, the dates that they are allowed to go and grant your permission for that trip. You want to include your address and phone number and probably the contact info for the adult traveling as well. The non-traveling parents need to sign it before a notary and have it stamped. You should also have a form that grants the adult traveling with the child permission to make medical decisions on behalf of that child in case of emergency and it is advisable that you include any medical insurance that you have and the relationship of the adult traveling to the child (e.g. parent, grandparent, aunt…). Those two letters can be combined if you are drafting it yourself.
I am traveling with my niece out of the country and have talked to the airlines. They strongly recommend that you have the letter and that it is notarized to insure that it is not forged. Most, if not all, banks have a notary public on hand. While it is undoubtedly a hassle it is far less of one than being denied entry to a foreign country.
For all Canadian parents who ask us this question:
According to the Canadian government website for Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada: "It is strongly recommended that children travelling alone or with one parent carry a consent letter for every trip abroad. It is advisable to have the consent letter certified, stamped, or sealed by an official with the authority to administer an oath or solemn declaration so that the validity of the letter will not be questioned. "
Having the letter notarized is recommended by the US Dept of State, but in the US a notary may only charge a fee of US$2 per signature for this service and licensed Notaries are widely available. We understand that this is a major hassle and expense for our Canadian site visitors, therefore we recommend that you consult with the nearest Canadian Embassy or consulate for suggestions on other acceptable forms of validation.
Good luck and please post any solutions you discover. thanks!
Hello Tiffany,
These rules are in place to help Immigration and Customs Border officers deal with issues of potential kidnapping. In our experience, unless your son is resisting you, it seems unlikely that you both would be stopped on your return flight. But — if you can get a letter (even an un-notarized one, with a copy of your husband's flite itinerary), we would recommend it. Better safe than sorry on a vacation!
Safe trip-
My husband, son and I are traveling to Aruba next week for vacation. We are flying there together, but my husband is only staying one week of our two week trip. Am I going to have a problem if my husband has already left and I am trying to return home with my son by myself?
im goin to travel to another country( bolivia) with my daughter. what kind of form . would i need in order travel with my daughter. please email . thank you!!!!!!!
We get many questions from parents about their kids traveling within the US, over state lines, with guardians other than their parents.
It is illegal to cross U.S. state lines with a minor without custodial parents' consent, and the age of "minors" varies across the states. However, the families within this travel community have never complained about having a problem when inviting friends of their children along on a trip, for example, so we have little experience with this issue.
Therefore, this article is for travel outside the United States, where there are clear international laws in place to prevent international child abduction.
Within the US, temporary guardians should use the same permission to travel letter as well as medical treatment authorization letter noted at the end of the article, when possible.
Keep in mind that these laws are in place to allow authorities to investigate a traveling party if they notice suspicious activity (such as children who resist going with adults). Of course, the majority of travelers will never be stopped and questioned. For most of you, if the birth parents are easily available by phone, then making a daytrip should not be a problem.
I would like to know if a permission letter from my son and Daughter inlaw and my grand Daughters birth certificate is enough to take my 10 yr old grand daughter
on a day trip in to the U.S.A
I'm goin to travel to another state to see my family, and my cousin wants me to take her 6month baby boy so the family can meet him. What kind of form would I need in order for me to travel with my cousin's baby?
Please e-mail me and I woild appreciate your help.
Please send me a copy of letter of concent so that I may use it to travel with my children Thank you
Parents and guardians with questions about transporting minors between countries other than the U.S. should ask the Visa Division of each country's Embassy for exact regulations. Canada, for example, can be very strict about granting children visas and may require a health exam.
The paperwork for vacations and short stay visits can be found at this link:
http://www.familytravelforum.com/how/advice/10545-Required-Documents-For-Travel-With-Minors.html?p=4
Would appreciate a copy of the sample formpermission letter for minor traveling with other than parent situation.
Looking for what ever we need for my Fiance to bring his daughter from Jamaica to Canada. He is a single parent and has primary custody, but I'm sure travelling internationally, that he will need a letter from her birth mother.
Thanks
Pattii
The mother of my daughter left her with out my consent to D.r and left her there with her mother returning to the United State abondoning my child for 5 years and just to go visit her every year a 1 year old little girl ..Wjat u think is dat
Eva, the document is available on page 4 of this story. Thanks!
Please send me Permission to Travel Form
THanks for this resource!
I would like to obtain a sample form or letter to authorize my mother in-law (my daughters grand mother) to travel to orlando florida where they will be meeting up with the other parent & then in a few days travel on a domestic flight to miami
please email me. Need a sample Permission to Travel letter for International Travel with one parent.
read the instructions first
I need sinple form traveling with my step daughter, her mother is deceased. Her Father will not be traveling with us to the Bahamas
Hi to parents and grandparents traveling with minors, in need of this Permission Letter.
You can get a free sample of this blank form by filling out the email request at the end of this story. We ask everyone to sign up this way so that we can send you email updates as these regulations change, which is often!
Please read the story through to the end so that you understand the issue in full. Thanks for your interest in family travel!
FTF Editors
please send me the Permission to Travel letter for International Travel with one parent form.
My granddaughter a minor,is travelling out of the country with me for two weeks, and I need a permission form for her parents to sign, in case of emergency, so that I can make medical decisions for her. Thank you.
Can you please send me a standard document for a minor travelling with one parent.
Thanks
Javier,
You can request a sample Permission to Travel letter by using the form at the end of this story. For information on a temporary resident visa, please check with the Canadian High Commission at this webpage: http://www.visabureau.com/canada/canadian-high-commission.aspx
good luck!
Hello there i am looking for a letter sample of the one paren tarvel with child,the one Canadian Embassy requiring to extend temporary resident visa. Thanks for your kindly help.
Diane:
Please go to the last page of this story and fill out a request form. Then the documents will be e-mailed to you.
Jillian
Need a sample Permission to Travel letter for International Travel with one parent.
Need a form traveling with my daughters and my dog to Canada
What kind of form need kid to have to travel with no parents. Parents will met him(her) at distanation aeroport.
Thanks.
Sue Morse: Please see the form at the end of the article. Fill it out with the proper informatin and the forms will be sent to you. Thanks!
please email me a travel permission letter and also a medical permission letter.
Thank you
Angela, you can read more about the requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative at this link:
http://www.familytravelforum.com/how/vacation_deals/227-News-Families-Have-Cheaper-WHTI-Options-for-Kids-Land-and-Sea-Borders.html
According to the WHTI website, you are required to obtain parents' permission, and we quote from them:
Groups of Children:
Beginning June 1, 2009, U.S. and Canadian citizen children under age 19 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory and traveling with a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or sports team, may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card.
The group should be prepared to present a letter on organizational letterhead with the following information:
* The name of the group and supervising adult,
* A list of the children on the trip, and the primary address, phone number, date of birth, place of birth, and name of at least one parent or legal guardian for each child,
* A written and signed statement of the supervising adult certifying that he or she has obtained parental or legal guardian consent for each participating child.
Here is all the letter needs to say:
(Date)
I (parent's name), authorize my child/children, (child/children’s name) to travel to (destination) on (date of travel) aboard Airline/Flight # (flight information) with (accompanying adults), returning on (date of return).
Signed by parent or parents
Address:
Telephone/Contact:
Notary Public Signature/Seal
SameProb –
we hear some users have been having trouble getting these documents via email. It's really hard to troubleshoot this, so if you don't get the documents, can you please email us at ftf[at]familytravelforum.com and we'll make sure to send you the links. Posting your complaints here won't help at all! thanks, and sorry for the hassle-
Hi Derek,
Although there are regulations about transporting minors between some U.S. states (and they vary), our members have never reported a problem with this. It's mainly an issue transporting minors over national borders.
In any case, we subscribe to the "Better safe than sorry" school of travel. Therefore, why not ask the girls' mother to fill out the Permission to Travel letter with her contact info, and give you a copy of the girls' birth certificates to verify the Mom's identity, so that you have some paperwork with you.
While traveling, it sounds like you may be able to reach her by phone in case there's any trouble at the airport, but we don't anticipate there would be.
Let us know if you have any other questions and safe move –
Same problem — if you go thru the hassle of requesting these via the email link, you get sent to a page that isn't working. Don't bother trying to get them!!!
I do not have legal custody of my soon to be step-daughters and their mother needs me to take them with me to Alaska (I am staioned up there) before she can head up there herself. she has to stay behind for another week to finish selling the house. What legal documentation am I going to need for them to fly with me to Alaska?
Hi David,
This same document "Permission to Travel Letter" is good whether a minor under 18 years is traveling with one birth parent or none. Just adjust the information you provide in it.
thanks, let us know if you have problems!
looking for single parent or one-parent authorization form letter
I am having a problem getting a passport for my infant. We are currently in court – I only have temporary custody so far and his father refuses to sign the application for my son to get a passport. His father is from the middle east and had threatened to take the baby. I want to go to my sister's wedding in August in Trinidad and I don't know what to do. My lawyer is unsure if he will be able to succeed in getting a court order demanding that the father signs the document. Does anyone have any information regarding my problem. Thanks.
Parents are splitting with kids right and left, something needs to be done. Children without passports are fairly protected but once the passport is issued there doesn't seem to be a procedure in place for revoking that passport until such time it must be renewed and even then I'm not sure it can be revoked. In some ways this policy is good and the right thing to do, but, it could also be a way for a controlling ex to make somebody's life miserable. As clogged as the courts are these days it can take months to get a hearing for a judge to order than the child can leave the country…so the moral is, if the ex is going to be a butt about it you better start planning about a year ahead of time and make sure whatever order you get has the required information contained in it or the airline/shipping line etc. may just refuse to honor it. Kids need to be protected, especially from middle eastern fathers/mothers that take the kids to non-hague countries. It's a very nasty situation and it's heartening to see this done but it can be a dual edged sword and may cause a lot of problems no one thought about.
I was able to get the docs, cancel the request. If all else fails, read the directions, right? Thanks
I’ve made two requests for permission travel letters and have not received an email. I have a mac…is that a problem?