Traveling With Kids This Holiday Season? What to Know About Child Travel Consent Letters
Holiday travel is busy enough without a surprise at the airport. If a child is traveling without both parents, a simple document can make the trip much smoother: a child travel consent letter.
This guide explains what a travel consent letter is, when it's helpful, what it usually includes, and how you can get it notarized online before you leave.
What Is a Child Travel Consent Letter?
A child travel consent letter is a written statement from a parent or legal guardian giving permission for a child to travel with another adult. It shows airline staff, border officials, or others that the trip is approved by the parent or parents who aren't traveling.
When Is One Helpful?
- A child is traveling with only one parent
- A child is traveling with grandparents, other relatives, or family friends
- A child is traveling with a school, church, sports, or other group
- A child is traveling internationally without both parents
For international travel, U.S. Customs and Border Protection strongly recommends that a child traveling without both parents carry documentation of the other parent's permission. Officials may not always ask for it, but having it ready can prevent delays. Airlines and other countries may have their own rules, so it's always smart to check with them before you go.
What a Consent Letter Usually Includes
There's no single required format, but letters commonly include:
- The child's full name and date of birth (and passport details for international trips)
- The name of the adult traveling with the child and their relationship to the child
- Travel dates and destinations
- Contact information for the parent or parents giving consent
- The signature of each consenting parent or guardian
Some families also include permission for the traveling adult to approve emergency medical care. As a notary, I can't draft your letter or advise you on what it should say, so if your situation is complex, such as a custody arrangement, an attorney is the best resource.
Why Have It Notarized?
Notarization adds a layer of verification. It confirms that the person who signed the letter is who they say they are and signed willingly. When a child travels with one parent, CBP guidance suggests the letter from the other parent be notarized, and many families choose to notarize every consent letter for peace of mind.
How to Get It Notarized Online
Remote online notarization is a convenient fit for travel letters, especially when parents live in different places or schedules are packed before a trip.
Prepare your letter
Have the letter filled out, but don't sign it yet.
Book an online appointment
Same-day sessions are often available, but holiday weeks fill up quickly.
Verify your identity and sign on video
Each signer completes identity verification and signs electronically during a live session.
Download your notarized letter
Print a few copies to bring with you and keep a digital copy on your phone.
If two parents are signing, each signer's notarization may count as its own notarial act. I'll confirm the total before we begin.
Final Thoughts
A travel consent letter takes a few minutes to prepare and can save a lot of stress at check-in or the border. Get it notarized a week or two before your trip, check your airline and destination's requirements, and keep copies handy while you travel.