CONSENT LETTER FOR MINOR CHILDREN

What are the requirements for international travel with children?

If a child under eighteen travels with only one parent or someone who is not a legal guardian, that adult is required to provide some documents confirming that he/she is entitled to take care of the child while traveling.

US Customs and Border Protection recommends that whoever is accompanying the child/children should have the statement signed by both parents listing the following (this also applies to the case when a child is traveling with one of the parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, etc.):

"I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter/group. He/She/They has/have my permission."

What is Children's Travel Consent Letter?

A children’s travel consent letter is a document stating that parents allow the child to travel within the US borders or abroad accompanied by an adult person. Parental permission must be prepared for children who are under eighteen years of age. The importance of this document as a means to combat child abduction and trafficking is growing exponentially.

An airline or travel company or an immigration officer typically ask the accompanying person to provide them with a consent letter for children travelling abroad from the US.

Documents for international travel with minor children

Traveling with children within the United States requires few documents. On the contrary, traveling with children abroad will take much more time and effort so be sure to plan things in advance.

Documents for international travel with minor children typically include:

● passports for minor children if they will be traveling by air. The child is required to apply for a passport in person no matter the age, accompanied by a parent or guardian and fill out a DS-11 form;

● a child traveling consent form signed by parents. This is not a mandatory requirement but the US Department of State recommends that a child has one when traveling without parents. There is no official government form for writing a child traveling consent so you are free to come up with one of your own. Be sure to list your child’s name, your contact details, an accompanying person, travel details and your consent.

● birth certificate. Children above 16 years of age must provide a government-issued photo ID.

A notarized letter to travel with a child

Some countries require that a consent letter for children traveling abroad from the US is notarized. Make sure to find out in advance and notarize the letter if required.

Consent letter for child travelling to the USA

If a child is traveling to the US from abroad, he/she will be required to provide a consent letter signed by parents or legal guardians. Again, this is an essential requirement which is meant to prevent child abduction and trafficking. An immigration officer will ask for a consent letter and may retain a child and accompanying person if any questions arise until they are solved.

Documents for travel to Canada with children

Minor children traveling to Canada must hold the required documents in order to be allowed entry. The required documents depend on whether the child is traveling alone, with parents, guardian or someone other than parents or guardians.

Traveling alone:

● a child’s passport;

● a birth certificate (copy);

● an authorization letter from parents with their contact details as well as information about the person who will take care of the child while in Canada.

Traveling with one of the parents:

● all the documents from above;

● a copy of a custody decree (if applicable);

● a copy of a death certificate of a deceased parent (if applicable).

Traveling with a guardian or adoptive parents:

● a copy of the guardianship or adoption documents.

Traveling with someone other than parents or guardians:

● an authorization letter from parents (does not have to be notarized).

Traveling with children to Mexico

As of now, Mexico does not require the US children crossing its border to hold any document other than their own valid passport. No letter of authorization or a letter of consent signed by parents is required.

An authorization letter for child travel without parents

If the child will be traveling abroad without parents, one of the essential documents he/she must have is an authorization letter with a parental permission to travel.

An authorization letter should typically include the following information:

● the name of the child;

● the names of both parents and their contact details;

● where, when and why the child is traveling abroad;

● who will take care of a child abroad;

● any other important details (e.g., if a child is allergic to anything, etc.).

Your children are traveling abroad and you need help sorting out letters of consent? Contact us for professional assistance.

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