Use our child travel consent form to prove that a child can travel without their parents or guardians.
Updated July 10, 2024
Written by Sara Hostelley | Reviewed by Brooke Davis
A minor (child) travel consent form grants permission for a minor to travel alone or with someone other than their legal guardian or parent.
A child travel consent form is a legal document providing written permission for a minor to travel without a parent or legal guardian. The form is primarily for when a child travels domestically or internationally with a club/group, school, or an adult, like a family friend or relative.
It aims to ensure the child’s safety and well-being by providing evidence of parental or guardian consent for the trip.
It can be beneficial to use this form when a child under the age of 18 is traveling:
It’s important to have a minor travel consent form in multiple scenarios. For example, suppose you and your spouse left the country together with your child. If only one parent later returns to the country with their child due to another commitment by the second parent, the parent with the child should have a consent form showing the other parent has agreed to this arrangement.
Child travel consent forms promote children’s safety and prevent international child abduction. They can also stop parents from taking a child due to an unfavorable custody dispute.
If a child needs to travel alone, they must follow different protocols depending on whether they’re traveling domestically or internationally:
Here are some instances when a child may travel with just one parent:
If you’re legally separated or divorced, you can review your custody agreement to determine if there are any child travel restrictions or requirements. For example, the custody agreement may limit international travel or demand the traveling parent to provide a certain amount of notice to the other party.
If one lawful custodial parent needs to travel with the child, the traveling parent should obtain written consent from the other custodial parent. [2]
If you have sole decision-making authority or custody of your child, the other parent may still have visitation (access) rights. However, the parent without full custody won’t have to provide a consent letter. Instead, the parent with full custody can carry a copy of the court custody document when they travel alone with the child. [3]
If you’re the sole parent because your spouse is deceased, you can carry a copy of their death certificate. This way, you can show authorities you’re the only parent responsible for your child.
Legal guardians have parental rights, so they likely won’t need a consent form. They have the authority to make decisions for the child and accompany them while traveling. Some cases may require the guardian to have a child travel consent form:
An individual who has been deemed an attorney-in-fact for a child via a minor power of attorney may have specific decision-making powers, but they won’t have the same broad scope of authority as a legal guardian.
Review a summary of how to write a child travel consent form:
Step 1: Provide your child’s basic information, including their name, birthdate, birthplace, passport details, and birth certificate details.
Step 2: Write your information as the parent or guardian, including your address, phone number, and address. Input the information of both parents and guardians, if applicable.
Step 3: Include the name of the person traveling with the child, including their name, relationship to the child, and passport information.
Step 4: Provide the trip details. Clarify the accompanying person, travel destination, travel dates, travel purpose, and address at the destination.
Step 5: Explain if the accompanying person has the right to seek medical attention or make medical decisions for your child. You may complete a separate child medical consent form to be more thorough.
Step 6: Provide the information of an emergency contact person, including their name, phone number, and email. Consider electing a second emergency contact person.
Step 7: Include your child’s medical insurance and health information so the accompanying person can seek medical attention and make informed decisions if you give them the authority.
Here are some considerations when traveling with children:
Check with the US embassy for the country of your child’s destination to determine the travel requirements. Some countries won’t allow children to travel unaccompanied. The embassy can also clarify the entry and exit requirements, ensuring the child can efficiently and safely enter and leave.
If the child travels with one custodial parent or a trusted adult who isn’t a legal guardian, the country may have certain notarization requirements for the travel consent form. Ensure you know all regulations before allowing the child to travel.
For domestic travel, some airlines may have specific requirements for children traveling without both custodial parents. Children may need to present a notarized letter or other documentation to avoid being seen as unaccompanied minors.
Traveling with children can be more seamless when you bring adequate supporting documentation.
When writing your child’s travel consent form, remember that US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires a passport for any US citizen re-entering the country by air. The CBP highly recommends children traveling without their parents or legal guardians carry a copy of their birth certificate to help ease travel through customs [4] .
If you can’t provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate, you can have them carry a driver’s license if they’re of driving age.
Medical emergencies may arise while your child travels without you. Ensure you complete a child medical consent form to grant their fellow traveler the authority to make medical decisions on their behalf.
Maintain open communication with all guardians and parents. Solidify your agreements on your child traveling with a parenting plan, and be willing to make adjustments as necessary.
