Is your child traveling alone with friends of family or flying internationally without both parents or legal guardians? You will need to acquire a minor travel consent form for them and have it notarized.
Not sure what a child travel consent form looks like or how to fill it out, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. I have traveled with my children domestically and internationally several times without their father. I know firsthand how much paperwork is involved.
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Whether I’m traveling overseas with the kids, taking a cruise, or sending one of the kids away for a weekend with a friends’ family, I always use this consent letter template for child travel.
I simply fill out the form below and give it to my husband to sign in front of the notary. If the kids are traveling with friends or activity groups like dance, I also include a copy of my insurance card just in case something goes wrong while the kids are away. I have to note here that I’m not a lawyer, so I can’t offer you legal advice. But I can tell you:
- What a child travel consent form is for
- Why it’s important
- When you need it
- How to fill out and notarize the form – I’ll include a free letter template for you to use. It’s the one I use every time.
What is a child travel consent form?
A child travel consent form is a document that allows children to travel without one or both parents/legal guardians. It’s similar to a school field trip form where parents and guardians sign and acknowledge that they’ve given permission for their child to travel with a group or an adult. Just like with that field trip form, you need to fill out the consent form every time your child travels.
Why is Having a Minor Travel Consent Form Important ?
This travel consent form can serve several purposes:
It confirms that your child is allowed to travel with the person they are traveling with. With the increase in child abduction cases, having a minor travel consent form is extremely important. In the case of an emergency, you have documentation that your child is authorized to be with the individual they are traveling with. You have proof for anyone who may question or challenge your child’s well-being while away from home.
Some countries will not let your child enter the country unless he or she has one of these forms signed by you. If your child is flying and they show up at the airport without a nortarized travel consent form, airline staff will refuse to allow them to board. That can be a very long and stressful situation for all involved.
A consent form can also help your child with medical decisions in case they need medical treatment, including dental care while traveling. If you’re not present, their consent form will be all that medical providers need to treat them.
If for some reason your child ends up in the custody of law enforcement or is separated from their travel companion, it will help. It will avoid problems such as holding your child in the airport until you arrive to pick them up because you’re not there.
When Do You Need a Travel Consent Letter?
There are a number of reasons why you may need a child travel consent form. The most common reason is when someone else (anyone other than a custodial parent or legal guardian) will be traveling with your child and you will not be present. Examples:
- Extended family member traveling with your children (grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins, etc.)
- Your children are traveling with their friend’s family (spring break, weekend trip, etc.)
- Community event (sports team, club, church, etc.)
Another reason is if your child is a citizen of the United States and is travelling internationally without both parents (i.e. solo parent with child). Some countries have stricter guidelines for children traveling without both parents, but most countries require a minor travel consent form.
How to Fill Out a Child Consent Form for Travel
Regardless of why you need it or where your trip is going, there are some universal requirements that will apply:
- Form must include both parents/legal guardians names and their contact information.
- The name and date of birth of the child must be included and match their passport or other travel documents.
- You must provide the name(s) and contact information of the person(s) traveling with and taking responsibility for your child.
- State where your child is traveling from, the destination, and itinerary. This would include country, state, city, etc.
- Specify dates of travel.
- The parental consent form must be notarized. You must sign the form in front of a notary public who will then put their stamp/seal on it.
Note: A new notarized letter of consent is needed for each trip. You can not create a blanket consent form allowing your child to go on an extended trip with someone.
Free Notarized Letter Template for Child Travel
If you’re using the free notarized letter template for child travel below, I’ve included a place in each section to fill all this out. It’s very important to include the information I mentioned above in whatever child travel consent form you create.
Click the image or this link to receive this parental consent form in pdf format.
I use this form for unaccompanied minors( when my teenagers traveling solo) as well as when they travel without both parents. Before any international trip, I recommend checking with the consulate for that country to determine if they have any specific information or requirements you may need that is not included on this template.
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About Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is a travel and active family lifestyle blogger and social media influencer based out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She shares stories, destinations, and ideas on food, family, health, and outdoor recreation to help families find their own adventures. Her spirit animal is a caffeinated squirrel fueled by coffee, real food, and the desire to seek new adventures.
