A minor (child) travel consent form grants permission for a minor to travel alone or with someone other than their legal guardian or parent.
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 domestically or internationally with a club/group, school, or an adult, like a family friend or relative.
It aims to ensure the child’s safety and well-being by providing evidence of parental or guardian consent for the trip.
When to Use a Child Travel Consent Form
It can be beneficial to use this form 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 legal guardian or parent (instead of their entire family unit).
- In the care of a family friend or relative.
- In the care of a daycare provider.
- 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 stop parents from taking a child due to an unfavorable custody dispute.
If a Child Travels Alone
If a child needs to travel alone, they must follow different protocols depending on whether they’re traveling domestically or internationally:
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Domestic Travel: On most airlines, children who are 15 or older can fly domestically without any unaccompanied minor procedures. [1] They only need their personal identification and don’t have to present proof of parental permission.
- Depending on the airline, children between the ages of five and 14 (or five and 12 if the airline has less strict requirements) must follow the airline’s unaccompanied minor procedures. These procedures may involve the provision of consent forms and a personnel escort to the gate.
- Children under five are not allowed to travel alone. Any child under five must typically be accompanied by another individual who is at least 12 years old (or 18 years old, depending on the airline).
- International Travel: A child traveling alone internationally needs a passport. They may also need a visa and other travel documents, like a parental consent form. Please determine what documentation your child needs before planning their trip, as countries have varying requirements.
If a Child Travels with One Parent
Here are some instances when a child may travel with just one parent:
If You’re Separated or Divorced
If you’re legally separated or divorced, 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 or demand the traveling parent to provide a certain amount of notice to the other party.
If one lawful custodial parent needs to travel with the child, the traveling parent should obtain written consent from the other custodial parent. [2]
If You 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. [3]
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.
If a Child Travels with a Legal Guardian
Legal guardians have parental rights, so they likely won’t need a consent form. They have the authority to make decisions for the child and accompany them while traveling. Some cases may require the guardian to have a child travel consent form:
- If the guardian is traveling without the child’s other legal guardian
- If the guardian has a different last name than the child
- If a court order or custody arrangement restricts the legal guardian’s authority
- If an airline or relevant authority has its own requirements
Legal Guardian vs. Attorney-in-Fact
An individual who has been deemed an attorney-in-fact for a child via a minor power of attorney may have specific decision-making powers, but they won’t have the same broad scope of authority as a legal guardian.
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 the information of an emergency contact person, 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 US embassy for the country of your child’s destination to determine the travel requirements. Some countries won’t allow children to travel unaccompanied. The embassy can also clarify the entry and exit requirements, ensuring the child can efficiently and safely enter and leave.
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 US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires a passport for any US 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 [4] .
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.
Prepare for Medical Decision-Making
Medical emergencies may arise while your child travels without you. Ensure you complete a child medical consent form to grant their fellow traveler the authority to make medical decisions on their behalf.
Communicate with All Guardians/Parents
Maintain open communication with all guardians and parents. Solidify your agreements on your child traveling with a parenting plan, and be willing to make adjustments as necessary.
Child Travel Consent Form Sample
