Child Travel Consent Form
When a minor crosses a border without both parents, agents can — and do — ask for written consent from the absent parent(s). U.S. CBP recommends it; Mexico, Canada and many airlines expect it. Here is a complete, notary-ready template.
- Recommended by CBP
- Notary-ready fields
- Works for one-parent & group travel
- Spanish version available
The template
CONSENT FOR MINOR CHILD TO TRAVEL
I/We, parent/guardian full name(s), the lawful parent(s)/guardian(s) of the minor child named below, hereby give consent for the child to travel as described.
Child: full name · Date of birth: DOB · Passport №: number
Traveling with: accompanying adult full name · Relationship: relationship · Passport №: number
Destination(s): countries/cities · Travel dates: from — to
During this period, the accompanying adult may make routine and emergency medical decisions for the child if I/we cannot be reached.
Contact during travel: phone number · email address
Signature of parent/guardian: Date:
Signature of parent/guardian: Date:
Sworn and signed before me this ___ day of ________, 20__.
Notary Public: ______________ My commission expires: ________
What border agents actually check
That the absent parent(s) are identifiable and reachable; that dates cover the whole trip; that the child and adult are clearly linked by name and passport number; and — for several countries — that the signature is notarized. Mexico and many Latin American destinations also strongly prefer a Spanish version alongside the English one.
When to notarize
Always, if practical. CBP 'recommends' notarization; foreign border officers often treat it as required. It costs a few dollars at a bank or shipping store and removes the one question you can't answer at a checkpoint.
Frequently asked questions
Both parents are traveling — do we need this?
No consent letter is needed when both custodial parents travel with the child; carry the child's birth certificate instead.
The other parent is abroad and signed a letter in Spanish.
Bring both the original and a certified English translation — border and school officials need to read it. We translate consent letters for $19.95 per page in minutes at CertMyTranslation.
Grandparents are taking the kids on a cruise.
Both parents sign one letter naming the grandparents as accompanying adults; cruise lines are among the strictest checkers.
Does it need to cover medical consent?
Include it — the medical sentence in the template is the one that matters in an emergency room abroad.