Free Child Travel Consent

Child Travel Consent FAQs

What is a child travel consent form?

A child travel consent form grants a minor child the authorization to travel with an adult who is not the parent or legal guardian, or to travel alone. This form is required for both domestic and international travel involving minors. If the trip involves multiple destinations, please consider including a travel consent form for each leg of the trip.

What is a minor?

Individuals under 18 years of age are considered to be a minor in most jurisdictions.

Why do you need a child travel consent form?

Many jurisdictions are trying to tackle the serious issue of child abduction and have established regulations relating to a minor’s ability to travel. Having a signed child travel consent can prevent border authorities from stopping or delaying your child’s trip because the child travel consent form demonstrates the minor child has received parental approval to travel.

Some common situations where you need to use a child travel consent form are as follows:

• The child travels with one parent while the parents are legally separated or divorced.
• The child travels alone to meet her parent or legal guardian, or extended family members such as aunts, uncles, and grandparents.
• The child goes on vacation with extended family members.
• The child travels with teachers and students during a school trip, with a sports team, or with a religious organization.
• The child travels alone to study at a boarding school.

Do you need to notarize a child travel consent form?

While not required, many border authorities have recommended notarizing the child travel consent form since it is the best practice. Having a notarized child travel consent form serves is the best evidence the child has received parental permission to travel and it is less likely the child’s travel will be questioned or delayed by border authorities.

Can a child travel consent be used for multiple trips?

Yes. The form can be written to cover more than one journey, such as recurring visits to family or participation in ongoing activities. It’s best to specify travel dates and destinations to prevent any confusion with authorities or travel staff.

Who is allowed to accompany the child under a travel consent?

Any responsible adult aged 18 or older can be designated in the form. This may include grandparents, aunts or uncles, family friends, coaches, or teachers. Choose someone you trust to supervise your child and manage any situations that may arise during the trip.

What details should be included in a child travel consent form?

The consent should list the child’s full name, date of birth, travel dates, and destinations. Include the accompanying adult’s name and contact information, as well as the parents’ or legal guardians’ names, contact details, and signatures. You can also note any special instructions or relevant medical information.

Is a child travel consent necessary for domestic flights?

Some airlines require extra documentation when a minor is traveling without one or both parents, even within the same country. Checking the airline’s rules ahead of time and having a consent form ready can help prevent delays or complications at check-in.

Why should a child travel consent be notarized?

While notarization is not always legally required, it strengthens the credibility of the document. A notarized consent verifies the signatures, making it more likely to be accepted by border officials, airlines, and other authorities, and reduces the chance of travel delays.

What jurisdictions can use our child travel consent form?

You can use our template to create a legal and valid child travel consent form for the following jurisdictions: