Child Travel Consent and Notification Letter

What a good one includes

• Full legal names, birth dates, and passport numbers of the traveling child and the accompanying adult.
• Explicit travel details, including the specific destination countries, hotel addresses, and exact departure and return dates.
• Clear contact information and verified signatures of the non-traveling parent or parents authorizing the trip.
• A designated medical authorization clause allowing the accompanying adult to make emergency healthcare decisions for the child.
• A notary public acknowledgment seal and signature to verify the identity of the consenting parent or legal guardian.
• A reference to attached supporting documents, such as the child’s birth certificate or custody court orders.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Leaving out the specific travel dates, which makes border agents suspicious of an indefinite or unauthorized stay.
• Failing to get the document notarized, as many international border authorities do not accept unverified parental signatures.
• Forgetting to match the names on the consent letter exactly with the names printed on the child's passport and birth certificate.
• Neglecting to check the specific entry requirements of the destination country, which may require a certified translation of the letter.

Frequently asked questions