Travel Consent for Children
If a child under 18 is travelling abroad without one or both parents or legal guardians, you may be asked to provide a notarised travel consent letter.
This is a common requirement for international travel and is designed to protect children while providing reassurance to airlines, border officials, and immigration authorities.
What is a Travel Consent Letter?
A travel consent letter (also known as a parental consent letter for travel) is a document confirming that a child has permission to travel:
- Without one or both parents
- With another adult (such as a relative, teacher or family friend)
- Alone (for example, on a school trip or as an unaccompanied minor)
When notarised, the document carries additional legal weight, as a notary public verifies:
- The identity of the person(s) giving consent
- Their authority as parent or legal guardian
- The authenticity of the signatures
This helps ensure the document will be accepted by foreign authorities.
When Do You Need a Notarised Travel Consent?
You may require a notarised child travel consent letter in situations such as:
- A child travelling with only one parent
- A child travelling with grandparents or other relatives
- School trips abroad
- Divorced or separated parents where one parent is not travelling
- A child travelling alone internationally
While not every country strictly requires notarisation, many airlines and border authorities strongly recommend or expect it, particularly for international travel outside the UK.
Why is Notarisation Important?
Immigration authorities in many countries require evidence that a child has permission to travel from all individuals with parental responsibility.
This is part of international efforts to prevent:
- Child abduction
- Human trafficking
- Unauthorised removal of children across borders
A notarised document provides an extra layer of assurance because it has been independently verified by a qualified notary.
Importantly, this protection is not limited to entry and exit at borders. A properly notarised consent letter can also be crucial during the child’s stay abroad, for example:
- If medical treatment is required
- If authorities need to confirm who has responsibility for the child
- If travel plans change unexpectedly
What Should a Travel Consent Letter Include?
A properly prepared travel consent letter should contain:
- Full details of the child (name, date of birth, passport number)
- Details of the parent(s) or guardian(s) giving consent
- Details of the accompanying adult (if applicable)
- Travel dates and destination(s)
- Flight or travel information (where available)
- Contact details of the consenting parent(s)
- Signatures of all relevant parties
In some cases, supporting documents (such as copies of passports or birth certificates) may also be required.
Do All Countries Have the Same Requirements?
No—requirements vary depending on the destination, and this is where many issues arise.
For example:
- Some countries may accept a signed letter without notarisation
- Others expect a notarised consent letter for a child travelling abroad
- In certain cases, additional steps such as an Apostille from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office may be required
Crucially, failure to meet the correct requirements can lead to:
- Refusal of entry at the border
- Delays at immigration control
- Disrupted or cancelled travel arrangements
In some cases, airlines may refuse boarding if documentation is not in order.
Even where entry is granted, inadequate documentation may create difficulties during the stay, particularly if authorities need to verify parental consent.
Because of these risks, it is important not to rely on assumptions or informal guidance—requirements should be confirmed in advance.
Avoiding Common Problems
Delays and difficulties at airports or border control can arise where:
- The consent letter is incomplete
- Signatures are not properly witnessed
- The document is not notarised when expected
- Details do not match travel documents
Preparing the document correctly in advance can help avoid disruption to travel plans.
How a Notary Can Help
At ARG Notary Limited, we can:
- Prepare or review your travel consent letter
- Verify identity and parental authority
- Notarise the document in accordance with international standards
- Advise whether further steps (such as Apostille) are required
This ensures your documentation is accepted and your child’s travel arrangements proceed smoothly.
Final Thoughts
A notarised travel consent letter is a simple but important document when a child is travelling internationally without both parents.
More broadly, any legal document intended for use overseas is likely to require notarisation to be accepted by foreign authorities. Documents prepared or certified by a solicitor alone are often not sufficient for international purposes.
Relying on the wrong form of certification creates a real risk that documents will be rejected—potentially leading to delayed or disrupted travel arrangements at a critical time.
Taking the time to prepare the correct documentation in advance helps ensure a smooth journey and avoids unnecessary complications.
Travel Consent for Children
Alistair Robertson-Gopffarth assists clients in the Dorset / Wiltshire and Hampshire area. Travel to clients’ locations can be made by arrangement.
Member of The Notaries Society
Cross-Border Legal Resources
– Articles & Insight
We publish a series of occasional articles to shed light on when you may need to use a Notary Public’s services
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