• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Legal Templates

Legal Templates
  • Business Forms
    Business & Contracts

    All of our legal contracts and documents are drafted and regularly updated by attorneys licensed in their respective jurisdictions, paralegals, or subject matter experts. Save your hard-earned money and time with Legal Templates.

    Top Business Forms
    Business Formation
    • Business Plan
    • LLC Operating Agreement
    • Articles of Incorporation
    • Corporate Bylaws
    • Buy-Sell Agreement
    Business Operations
    • Business Contract
    • Partnership Agreement
    • Non-Disclosure Agreement
    • Release of Liability
    • Letter of Intent
    Service Contracts
    • Purchase Agreement
    • Sales Agreement
    • Invoice
    • Purchase Order
    • Business Purchase
    Employment
    • Employment Contract
    • Employment Offer
    • Employment Verification
    • Freelance Contract
    • Non-Compete Agreement
    View All Business Forms
  • Real Estate Forms
    Real Estate

    All of our legal contracts and documents are drafted and regularly updated by attorneys licensed in their respective jurisdictions, paralegals, or subject matter experts. Save your hard-earned money and time with Legal Templates.

    Top Real Estate Forms
    Landlords
    • Lease Agreement
    • Property Management
    • Eviction Notice
    • Late Rent Notice
    • Lease Termination
    Tenants
    • Room Rental
    • Sublease Agreement
    • Roommate Agreement
    • Notice to Vacate
    • Early Lease Termination
    Home Ownership
    • Real Estate Purchase Agreement
    • Mortgage Deed
    • Quitclaim Deed
    • Deed of Trust
    • Moving Checklist
    View all Real Estate Forms
  • Personal & Family Forms
    Personal and Family

    All of our legal contracts and documents are drafted and regularly updated by attorneys licensed in their respective jurisdictions, paralegals, or subject matter experts. Save your hard-earned money and time with Legal Templates.

    Top Personal and Family Forms
    Estate Planning
    • Power of Attorney
    • Last Will & Testament
    • Living Will
    • Advance Directive
    • DNR Form
    Personal Finance
    • Bill of Sale
    • Loan Agreement
    • Purchase Agreement
    • Promissory Note
    • Sales Agreement
    Family Matters
    • Parenting Plan
    • Child Travel Consent
    • Divorce Agreement
    • Separation Agreement
    • Prenuptial Agreement
    Affidavits
    • General Affidavit
    • Gift Affidavit
    • Affidavit of Identity
    • Affidavit of Residence
    • Affidavit of Death
    View All Personal Forms
  • Support
    Resources
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Personal and Family
    • Financial
    • Estate Planning
    Support
    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • All Legal Documents

    Monday - Friday | 9AM - 7PM EDT

    (855) 335-9779

  • Sign In
  • :email

Home Resources Personal & Family What Documents Minors Need When Traveling

What Documents Minors Need When Traveling

Gold Tetsola

Updated August 24, 2023 | Written by Gold Tetsola
Reviewed by Susan Chai, Esq.

Avoiding any situation that could prevent or slow down your child’s authorized travel and keeping their safety is preferable. You should prepare the required documents if your child is:

  • Traveling with only one parent
  • Visiting parents who are separated
  • Traveling alone because one parent has passed away
  • Traveling with a grandparent, aunt, uncle, adult sibling, or babysitter
  • Attending a school trip with teachers or chaperones

You should also remember any travel limitations the court orders if you are a single parent with sole legal custody. For example, the court may decide the signature of the co-parent is still required when you want to travel abroad with your child.

Other countries may have specific rules for minor travel for international travel, so it’s advisable to check the destination country’s requirements before traveling.

You should also check with your airline about specific travel regulations for children.

Even if children traveling without their parents in the US generally do not require their parent’s written permission, it is better to be prepared as custody arrangements sometimes might restrict the right to travel. While this is the case with domestic travel, international travel is subject to more ID and consent requirements than domestic travel. Many foreign countries have tight requirements on documentation for adults traveling with minors who do not share a last name.

Preparing all these travel papers seems challenging and exhausting, but you should be ready to have an unpainful and enjoyable journey.

Child Travel Consent Form

A child travel consent form legally grants a minor aged 5-17 permission to travel without their parent(s) or legal guardian(s). The form is strongly recommended if a child travels alone, with only one parent or an authorized adult. Travel can occur either across state lines or across country borders.

Adults should formally document that they are authorized to travel with a child that is not their own when traveling with children. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have the right to request documentation, so it is best to be ready with a child travel consent form.

If only one parent has custody of the child, the parent traveling with the child might consider bringing certified copies of the following supporting paperwork:

  • Court decision
  • Death certificate
  • A birth certificate naming only one parent
  • Custody papers documenting the guardian has legal custody
  • Notarized statement or affidavit if one of the legal parents is absent

What Should be Included in a Child Travel Consent Form?

Including all the necessary identifying information is essential to alert adults that the child has legal permission to travel alone or with named others. Our Child Travel Consent form asks simple questions that help you complete the document step-by-step.

Child’s Personal Information

Children under 18 should travel with an authorized adult or have special permission documented in a consent form. Otherwise, law enforcement officers will consider such children unaccompanied minors.

Parents/Legal Guardians Permission

The parent or legal guardian who has custody of the child must permit the child to travel alone or with another parent, family member, or other adult. Parents or legal guardians must sign the minor travel consent form if the child travels alone.

Travel Details

The child travel consent form should also spell out the following details:

  • Where the child is traveling to (final destination)
  • When the child will be traveling and returning
  • Why the child is on a journey with another adult or by themselves
  • Who the responsible adult is, if anyone, that will be traveling with them

Child’s Health Details

This form may also cover the child’s food allergies, medical conditions, or special needs. It should provide clear names and numbers for the parents or emergency contacts if needed.

Signature

A non-traveling parent should sign the document to authorize the child’s travel.

Can you use the same travel consent form for multiple trips?

Yes, you can use the same travel consent form for multiple trips. If your minor child frequently travels or crosses a border, the CBP states the letter should not be over one year old. It is also recommended to have the letter in English.

Do I need a travel consent form if I travel with my child?

You should have a travel consent form if you’re traveling with your child, particularly when only one parent is traveling. You will need a note from the co-parent unless both of you accompany the child. However, only your signature is required if you have sole legal custody of the child.

What Should be Included in a Minor Medical Consent Form?

A Minor Medical Consent Form should contain the following:

Child’s Basic Information

It should contain the child’s personal information, including the name, birth date, place of birth, passport or ID number, and contact details.

Parent/Legal Guardian Information

Adding parent’s/legal guardian’s information is also necessary for a child medical consent form. It should include the parent’s/guardian’s full name and contact information, such as their address and phone number.

Caregiver’s Identity

You should provide the name of the caregiver’s identity authorized to care for the child in case they need medical treatment and a relationship with the child.

Information Concerning the Minor’s Health

To help medical and healthcare professionals, specify known medical conditions and allergies, current medications, vaccine history, and emergency contact information.

Health Insurance Details

It is optional, but provide the insurance company name, policy/group number, and policyholder’s name if you decide to add the details about health insurance.

ID or Proof of Relationship with the Child

Whether the child is traveling with her parents, another adult, or a group, taking the child’s birth certificate with you on every trip is advisable to indicate the exact date of birth, place of birth, and full name.

To confirm that the child is not a kidnapping victim or a custody dispute, border officers need copies of the adoption certificates or legal guardianship paperwork.

Passport

For international travel, minors must carry a passport regardless of how young and whether they’re traveling alone, with a parent, or with another adult companion.

A child must apply for a passport personally, and a parent or legal guardian must accompany the child to the passport office and sign the required documents before a passport agent. If one parent cannot appear, that parent must submit a notarized Statement of Consent (Form DS-3053).

Travel to Canada and Mexico doesn’t require a child’s passport by land or sea.

Reduce Stress When Traveling!

If you have the required papers, you and your family will feel more at peace on your vacation, allowing you to enjoy your trip with a child and worry less about it. Use Legal Templates to create a child travel consent form and a child medical consent form!

Gold Tetsola

Gold Tetsola

Personal & Family Editor

Gold Tetsola is a staff writer at LegalTemplates, his BA in English Literature & Language inspires him to navigate and simplify the complex issues of personal and family law.

Related Articles

  • Can You Modify a Parenting Plan Without Going to Court?

In This Article

  • Child Travel Consent Form
  • ID or Proof of Relationship with the Child
  • Passport
Legal Documents
  • All Legal Forms
  • Business Forms
  • Real Estate Forms
  • Personal and Family Forms
Popular Forms
  • Lease Agreements
  • Power of Attorney Forms
  • Eviction Notice
  • Living Will
  • Non-Disclosure Agreement
Resources
  • Legal Resources
  • Business
  • Real Estate
  • Personal & Family
  • Estate Planning
  • Financial
Company
  • Pricing
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Partner With Us
Users
  • Account
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
McAfee - Together is power.
Trustpilot

(855) 335-9779, Monday-Friday, 9AM - 7PM EDT

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

Copyright 2023 Legal Templates LLC. Legal Templates LLC is not a lawyer, or a law firm and does not engage in the practice of law. Legal Templates cannot and does not provide legal advice or legal representation. All information, software and services provided on the site are for informational purposes and self-help only and are not intended to be a substitute for a lawyer or professional legal advice. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use. Legaltemplates.net is owned and operated by Resume Technologies Limited, London with offices in London United Kingdom.”

Thank you for downloading one of our free legal templates!

Would you leave us a review?

We hope you've found what you need and can avoid the time, costs, and stress associated with dealing with a lawyer.

A review would mean the world to us (it only takes about 15 seconds).

Please check your download folder for MS Word or open tabs for PDF so you can access your FREE Legal Template Sample

Thanks again, and good luck!

Leave My Review