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Child Travel Consent Form

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Child Travel Consent Form

Child Travel Consent Form

Updated Dec 13, 2025

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A Child Travel Consent Form is a legal document granting permission for a minor to travel, often required for international trips.

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Is the child's travel domestic (within the same country) or international?

Domestic International

Select 'International' if the child will cross any country borders during travel.

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CHILD TRAVEL CONSENT FORM

I. THE MINOR(S)

This Consent Form is given regarding the following minor child/children (the "Minor"):

Child 1:
Full Name:
Date of Birth:
Passport Number (if applicable):
Country of Issuance:

Add Second Child?

Child 2:
Full Name:
Date of Birth:
Passport Number (if applicable):
Country of Issuance:

Add Third Child?

Child 3:
Full Name:
Date of Birth:
Passport Number (if applicable):
Country of Issuance:

II. THE PARENT(S) / LEGAL GUARDIAN(S)

This consent is granted by the following custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s) (the "Releasing Party"):

Parent/Guardian 1:
Full Name:
Address:
Phone Number:
Email Address:

Add Second Parent/Guardian?

Parent/Guardian 2:
Full Name:
Address:
Phone Number:
Email Address:

III. THE ACCOMPANYING ADULT (AUTHORIZED GUARDIAN)

I/We authorize the Minor to travel with the following adult (the "Authorized Guardian"):

Full Name:
Relationship to Minor:
Passport/ID Number:
Issuing Country/State:
Phone Number:
Current Address:

IV. TRAVEL ITINERARY

The Minor is authorized to travel during the following dates and to the following locations:

Travel Dates:
Departure Date:
Return Date:

Destinations:
The Minor will be traveling to the following cities, states, and/or countries:

Transportation Details:
The Minor will be traveling via (check all that apply):

Airline

Flight Number:

Train

Bus

Car/Vehicle

Cruise Ship

Other

Specify:

V. MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION

In the event of an emergency, accident, or illness during the authorized travel dates, I/We hereby authorize the Authorized Guardian to consent to any necessary medical or surgical treatment, including but not limited to hospitalization, anesthesia, and surgery, recommended by a licensed physician or healthcare provider.

Medical Insurance Information:
Insurance Company:
Policy Number:
Group Number:

Medical Conditions / Allergies:
Please list any known allergies, medical conditions, or dietary restrictions for the Minor(s):

VI. LEGAL CUSTODY AND AUTHORITY

The Releasing Party certifies the following regarding custody of the Minor (check one):

Joint Custody

Sole Custody

Authorization

Joint Custody: Both parents/guardians share legal custody, and both have signed this document below.

Sole Custody: I am the sole legal custodian of the Minor, and no other person's consent is required for this travel.

Authorization: I am the custodial parent/guardian, and while the other parent has rights, I have the legal authority to grant this permission unilaterally or have obtained necessary verbal consents.

VII. WAIVER AND RELEASE

I/We hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Authorized Guardian from any claims, demands, or liabilities arising out of said travel, except in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct. I/We acknowledge that I/we are responsible for any costs associated with medical treatment or travel disruptions.

VIII. SIGNATURES

Parent/Guardian 1 Signature
Signature: _________________________
Date:
Print Name: _______________

Parent/Guardian 2 Signature
Signature: _________________________
Date:
Print Name: _______________

Include Witness Signature?

Witness Signature
Signature: _________________________
Date:
Print Name:

Include Notary Public Section?

NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

State of
County of

On this , before me, , a Notary Public in and for said State, personally appeared the above-named individual(s) who executed the foregoing instrument and acknowledged that they executed the same as their free act and deed.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal.

Notary Public Signature: _________________________
Print Name: _______________
My Commission Expires:

(Seal)

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What is a Child Travel Consent Form?

A child travel consent form is a legal document that provides authorization for a minor to travel without one or both parents or legal guardians present. This instrument serves as formal proof that the child has permission to cross international borders or travel domestically with an accompanying adult who is not their legal guardian, or to travel alone. It is frequently utilized by grandparents, school chaperones, religious groups, and separated or divorced parents to facilitate smooth processing by immigration officers and airline personnel. The primary objective of this document is to prevent international child abduction and ensuring compliance with human trafficking regulations.

Purpose and Scope of Travel Authorization

The primary function of a minor child travel consent form is to demonstrate to authorities that the child is not a victim of parental kidnapping or trafficking. While the United States does not have a strict federal statute requiring this specific form for all domestic travel, international protocols are significantly more rigorous. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have the authority to detain adults traveling with minors to verify custodial consent. If the accompanying adult cannot produce evidence of permission from the absent parent or parents, travel may be delayed or denied until the validity of the trip is established.

Key Components of a Valid Consent Document

To ensure the document is accepted by border control agents and transportation authorities, it must contain specific identifiable information regarding the minor, the guardians, and the travel itinerary. A vague or incomplete letter may be rejected by officials. The document should be comprehensive and, in most cases, notarized to attest to the authenticity of the signatures involved.

Minor's Information: Full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, and passport number if applicable.
Guardian Information: Full names, contact information, and signatures of both legal parents or guardians.
Travel Details: Specific dates of travel, flight or vessel numbers, and the full address of the destination.
Accompanying Adult: The full legal name and passport information of the person accompanying the child, if applicable.
Notary Acknowledgement: A seal and signature from a licensed notary public to verify the identity of the signing parents.

Domestic vs. International Travel Regulations

The requirements for travel documentation vary significantly depending on whether the destination is within the United States or abroad. For domestic flights, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) typically does not require children under the age of 18 to present identification. However, individual airlines may have policies regarding unaccompanied minors that require specific forms. In contrast, international travel triggers strict scrutiny under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. When a child travels internationally with only one parent or a non-parent, the U.S. Department of State and foreign embassies strongly recommend carrying a notarized consent letter to avoid delays at immigration checkpoints.

Legal Framework and Federal Guidelines

The legal basis for requiring travel consent stems largely from efforts to mitigate international parental child abduction. The International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act of 1993 establishes federal penalties for removing a child from the United States with the intent to obstruct the lawful exercise of parental rights. Furthermore, the United States is a signatory to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, a multilateral treaty designed to protect children from the harmful effects of abduction and retention across international boundaries.

While there is no single federal form mandated by Congress for travel consent, U.S. Customs and Border Protection operates under the guidelines of the Immigration and Nationality Act. CBP officers are trained to look for signs of abduction and may ask for documentation at any port of entry or exit. Failure to provide a minor child travel consent form when requested can result in the child being taken into protective custody until the parents can be contacted and consent verified. Additionally, individual states may have specific statutes regarding custody orders that restrict a parent's ability to remove a child from the state without written permission from the other parent or the court.

Considerations for Special Custody Situations

Families with complex custody arrangements must take extra care when drafting travel documents. If a parent has sole legal custody, they should carry a certified copy of the court order granting them such custody to present to officials. In cases where one parent is deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate serves as proof that the surviving parent has the sole authority to grant travel permission. For parents with joint custody, the travel consent form acts as a temporary waiver of the non-traveling parent's physical custody rights for the duration of the trip.

How to Execute a Child Travel Consent Form

Step 1: Gather Travel Information – Collect all necessary details including flight numbers, accommodation addresses, and the passport information of the child and accompanying adult.
Step 2: Draft the Document – Use a template or draft a letter that clearly states the names of the parties, the relationship to the child, and the authorized dates of travel.
Step 3: Attach Medical Consent – It is often prudent to include a medical consent section or separate form authorizing emergency medical treatment during the trip.
Step 4: Notarize the Signature – Both parents (or the non-traveling parent) should sign the document in the presence of a notary public to ensure its legal weight.
Step 5: Attach Supporting Documents – Staple copies of the child's birth certificate or custody orders to the consent form for easy reference by authorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

While not strictly required by every airline or country, U.S. Customs and Border Protection strongly recommends that the note be notarized. A notarized signature provides proof to border officials that the letter is authentic and not forged.

The TSA focuses primarily on security screening rather than custody enforcement and typically does not require a consent form for domestic checkpoints. However, airlines often have their own requirements for unaccompanied minors, and carrying the form is advisable in case of emergencies.

If a parent with legal rights refuses to sign, the traveling parent may need to seek a court order granting permission to travel. Traveling internationally without this consent when joint custody exists can be considered a violation of the International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act.

If you have sole legal custody, you generally do not need a consent form from the other parent, but you should carry the court order proving your sole custody status. Border officials may still question why the other parent is not present without this documentation.

Yes, it is best practice to have a separate minor child travel consent form for each child traveling. This ensures that the specific details for each individual, such as passport numbers and birth dates, are clearly documented and verifiable.

The document should be current and specific to the trip in question. Officials may reject a general consent form that was signed years ago; it is recommended to execute a new form for every international trip.

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