What Is a Child Travel Consent Letter?
A child travel consent letter is a notarized document from a parent or legal guardian giving permission for a minor child to travel without both parents present. Many countries require this when a child travels with only one parent, grandparents, another adult, or a school group.
Because a minor cannot legally authorize their own travel, border officials, airlines, and foreign governments rely on this letter to confirm that the child's parents or guardians know about and approve the trip. U.S. Customs and Border Protection recommends that a child traveling internationally without both parents carry a signed, notarized consent letter, and many destination countries require one before they will admit a minor. Notarizing the signature is what gives the letter its weight — it confirms to officials that the signer's identity was verified and the signature is genuine.
Common Situations
- Child traveling internationally with one parent when both share custody
- Child traveling with grandparents or other relatives
- Child traveling with a school group or sports team
- Child traveling with a guardian while parents are overseas
✈️ Tip: Requirements vary by country. Check with the destination country's embassy or consulate to confirm what is required before your travel date.
What a Travel Consent Letter Should Include
You (or your attorney) prepare the letter and we notarize the signature, but consent letters are generally expected to cover the same core details. Officials look for enough information to connect the child to the trip and to the consenting parent:
- The child's full legal name, date of birth, and passport number
- The full name of each consenting parent or legal guardian, and their relationship to the child
- The name of the adult the child is traveling with, and that adult's relationship to the child
- The travel dates, destination, and return details
- A clear statement of consent for the trip
- A parent or guardian contact number in case officials need to verify
- Space for the signature and the notary's acknowledgment
✈️ Good to know: Some countries and airlines have their own required wording or their own form. Confirm the exact requirements with the destination country's embassy or consulate — and with your airline — before your appointment, so the letter is right the first time.
One Parent, Both Parents, or a Guardian
Who needs to sign depends on your family's custody arrangement and where the child is going:
- One parent traveling with the child: many countries want a notarized letter from the other parent consenting to the trip.
- Both parents staying home: when a child travels with grandparents, a relative, a family friend, or a group, both parents (or all legal guardians) typically sign the letter.
- A legal guardian: a court-appointed guardian can sign in place of a parent; bring your guardianship documentation if you have it.
- Sole legal custody: a parent with sole legal custody may be able to sign alone, but the destination country or airline decides what it will accept, so confirm in advance.
If both parents need to sign but cannot be in the same place, that's not a problem — we can arrange separate appointments, and each parent signs in front of the notary.
International vs. Domestic Travel
International Trips
International travel is where consent letters matter most. U.S. Customs and Border Protection recommends that minors leaving the country without both parents carry a notarized consent letter, and many foreign governments require one to admit an unaccompanied or single-parent-accompanied minor. Some countries go a step further and require an apostille on the notarized letter so it is recognized under the Hague Convention — see our apostille page if your destination requires one.
Domestic Trips
For travel within the United States, a consent letter usually isn't legally required, and the TSA does not ask minors for ID on domestic flights. Even so, many parents choose to send a signed, notarized letter when a child flies with one parent, a relative, or a group, because it can help if a question ever comes up at the airport, at a hospital, or with a caregiver during the trip.
Traveling abroad and not sure whether you'll also need an apostille? We handle both the notarization and the apostille step. Call (916) 222-2251 and we'll point you in the right direction.
How These Appointments Usually Go
A parent taking the kids to visit family abroad. A Sacramento mom is flying to Mexico with her two children for the summer while dad stays home for work. The airline and Mexican authorities want a consent letter signed by the father. We meet him at his Natomas office on his lunch break, verify his ID, and notarize the letter the same day — the family makes their flight without a last-minute scramble.
Grandparents traveling with the grandchildren. A couple in Elk Grove is taking their grandkids to the Philippines while both parents keep working. Both parents need to sign a letter authorizing the grandparents to travel with the children. We come to the family's home in the evening, both parents sign in front of the notary, and because the destination requires it, we also walk them through the apostille step.
What to Have Ready
- Valid government-issued photo ID for the signing parent(s) or guardian(s)
- The completed, unsigned consent letter
- Fill in every section of the letter completely before the appointment — a notary cannot notarize a document with blank spaces
- Child's name, date of birth, and passport number included in the document
- Travel dates and destination listed in the document
- If both parents sign, both must be present (or arrange separate appointments)
Frequently Asked Questions
Many countries require the letter to be notarized. Even where not strictly required, a notarized letter is far more likely to be accepted without issue by border officials and airlines.
Both parents can sign at the same appointment if present. If they are in different locations, separate appointments can be arranged.
Same-day appointments are often available. Call us as early as possible if you have an upcoming trip.
Yes. Some countries require an apostille on the notarized consent letter. See our Apostille Services page for details.
Our travel fee starts at $50 for standard locations, plus $15 per notarized signature — the California state-regulated maximum. So a single consent letter with one signer is typically $65 total. Call (916) 222-2251 for an exact quote. No hidden fees.
It should identify the child (name, date of birth, passport number), the consenting parent or guardian, the adult the child is traveling with, the travel dates and destination, and a clear statement of consent, plus a parent contact number. You prepare the wording, and we notarize the signature.
It is usually not required for travel within the United States, and the TSA does not ask minors for ID on domestic flights. Many parents still send one when a child flies with one parent or another adult, because it can help if any question comes up.
Need a Travel Consent Letter Notarized?
We come to you quickly — same-day available for travel emergencies. Call or text (916) 222-2251.