A minor (child) travel consent form is typically necessary when a child travels domestically or internationally with a relative, family friend, or another adult who isn’t their legal guardian or parent. It grants permission for a minor to travel alone or with someone other than their legal guardian or parent.
The form aims to ensure the child’s safety and well-being by providing evidence of parental or guardian consent for the trip.
- What Is a Child Travel Consent Form?
- When to Use a Child Travel Consent Form
- What If I'm Divorced or Separated?
- What If I Have Sole Custody or Decision-Making Authority?
- What If a Minor Travels Without Their Parents?
- How To Write a Child Travel Consent Form
- Considerations When Traveling With Children
- Child Travel Consent Form Sample
What Is a Child Travel Consent Form?
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 with a club/group, school, or an adult, like a family friend or relative.
Domestic vs. International Travel
A child travel consent form may allow the child to travel domestically (within the U.S.) or internationally (outside the U.S.).
Countries may have different rules for admitting children traveling without their parents. It’s important to check each country’s travel guidelines before having the child and accompanying person embark on their trip.
When to Use a Child Travel Consent Form
It can be beneficial to use it when a child under the age of 18 is traveling:
- With a group, such as a religious, musical, sports, or school group.
- With only one guardian or parent (instead of their entire family unit).
- In the care of a family friend or relative.
- By themselves.
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 prevent a parent from taking a child due to an unfavorable custody dispute.
What If I’m Divorced or Separated?
If you’re divorced or separated, 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. It may also demand the traveling parent to provide a certain amount of notice to the other party.
Even if both parents have joint custody, it’s good practice to notify and seek the consent of the parent who won’t be traveling with the child.
If one lawful custodial parent needs to travel with the child, the traveling guardian should obtain written consent from the other custodial parent [1] .
What If I Have Sole Custody or Decision-Making Authority?
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 [2] .
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.
What If a Minor Travels Without Their Parents?
If parents have a child who needs to travel with another relative, family friend, or group, they should both sign a travel consent form.
Similarly, if minors need to travel alone, they should carry a consent form with their parents’ signatures.
How To Write a Child Travel Consent Form
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 an emergency contact person’s information, 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.
Considerations When Traveling With Children
Here are some considerations when traveling with children:
Check With the Embassy
Check with the U.S. embassy for the country of your child’s destination to determine the travel requirements. Some countries won’t allow children to travel unaccompanied.
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.
Confirm Airlines’s Requirements
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.
Ensure You Bring Supporting Documentation
Traveling with children can be more seamless when you bring adequate supporting documentation.
When writing your child’s travel consent form, remember that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires a passport for any U.S. 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 [3] .
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.
Parents with multiple children traveling must create separate minor travel consent forms and obtain all necessary documentation for each child.
Child Travel Consent Form Sample
