Free Minor Travel Consent Form

A minor travel consent form is a legal document, signed by a child's parents and/or legal guardians, giving permission for the child to travel with another adult. Any time a child travels abroad without both parents and/or legal guardians, they need to have this written permission.

If a child is traveling internationally with only one parent or with another adult (i.e., a relative, friend, teacher, etc.), an immigration officer, airline employee, or travel company may ask for this signed letter of consent. If a child is traveling with an adult that is not a legal guardian and without express written permission, travel will be stalled until authorities can locate and contact the child's legal guardian and secure the proper permission.

The minor travel consent form has become increasingly necessary due to the rise in instances of child abduction - particularly instances of custody cases and human trafficking.

You can download the minor travel consent form in PDF format using the link provided. The sample form below is a guide only, but it can be copy/pasted into a word processing program like Word or Google Docs.

Minor (Child) Travel Consent Form

To Whom It May Concern:

I/We,                                                                                                                    
(Full Name(s) of Custodial and/or Non-Custodial Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s))

am/are the lawful custodial parent(s) and/or non-custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of:

Child's full name:
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
U.S. Passport Number:

                                                                                , has my/our consent to travel with:
(Child's Full Name)

                                                                                          
(Full Name of Accompanying Person)

                                                                                          
(U.S. or Foreign Passport Number)

                                                                                          
Date and Place of Issuance of This Passport)

to visit

                                                                                                    
((Name of Foreign Country)

during the period of

                                                                                                    
((Dates of Travel: Departure and Return)

During that period,

                           
((Childs Name)

will be residing with

                           
((Name of Person with Whom the Child will be Residing in Foreign Country)

at the following address:

                           
((Number/street address and apartment number)

                           
((City, State/Province, Country)

                           
((Telephone and fax numbers)

Signature:                             Date:                   
(Custodial Parent, and/or Non-Custodial Parent or Legal Guardian)

Full Name:                                                                                           

Signature:                             Date:                   
(Custodial Parent, and/or Non-Custodial Parent or Legal Guardian)

Full Name:                                                                                           

Signed before me,

                                                                                          , (Full Name of Witness)

this                             at                                                                                           .
((Date) and (Location))

Signature of Witness:                                                                                           

Download: Minor Travel Consent Form

Minor Travel Consent Form Notary Requirements

We strongly recommend that you have any child travel consent form notarized. This can prevent issues establishing the authority and credibility of your documentation.

It can be challenging to find and secure the services of a notary in person. Thankfully, it is possible to use an online notary service to notarize your minor travel consent form. This can save you serious time and stress.

We recommend using NotaryLive, a fully-secure, online notirization platform with an "Excellent" rating from TrustPilot. NotaryLive is fast, affordable, and fully compliant with state law, so you can be sure your notarized minor travel consent form is both legal and valid.

Note: Parents who share custody of their children should each carry copies of the legal custody documents. You can also contact the embassy of the country or countries the minor child will be visiting to confirm travel entry requirements. This proactive step can help avoid issues at border crossings and during the child's stay abroad.

Unaccompanied Minors

It is possible for minors to travel alone. However, some countries will not allow unaccompanied minors to enter. In most cases, airlines will make these policies known at the time of booking. At the very least, parents should consult the U.S. State Department website and/or the embassy of the destination country for the most up-to-date policies.

Airlines have general rules about the ages and circumstances where children can fly alone, too. There are also usually additional fees that come with buying a ticket for a minor that will be traveling without an adult. As part of that extra cost, many airlines offer some additional supervisory and support services to be sure the traveling child is safe and comfortable while traveling on their own.

For more, check out our guide to unaccompanied minors traveling internationally. There, you will find details about the considerations, accommodations, and policies that apply to kids traveling internationally without an adult parent or guardian.

More Tips for Parents of Minors Traveling Abroad

Besides proper documentation, there are other ways to help a child have a safe international trip. Any time your child is traveling without you, give yourself peace of mind by taking these proactive steps.

Use a GPS Tracker to Keep Track of Your Child While Abroad

GPS technology makes it possible to pinpoint a person's exact location, anywhere in the world. If your child is traveling without you, it makes sense to keep a GPS tracker on their person so that you know where they are. You can also use additional trackers to help keep tabs on your child's luggage or other valuables.

• Apple AirTags are small, inexpensive GPS tags that can be purchased individually or in packs of 4. They use bluetooth connectivity and the vast number of Apple users across the globe to create a reliable GPS tracking network. Using your iPhone or Apple device, you can ping any AirTag that is linked to your AppleID and locate it quickly. Thanks to its small size, an AirTag can easily be tucked into luggage, sewn into a child's clothing, or stashed in a travel wallet.
• JioBit is an all-in-one GPS tracking system specifically designed for tracking your child. While it is more expensive than Apple AirTags, JioBit is a durable and secure alternative-particularly useful for those who don't already have an Apple device.

Use a Parent-Controlled Debit Card

Traveling costs add up. Everything from food, transportation, lodging, and fun comes with a price. If your child is traveling without you, you want to be sure they have the money they need, but also that it is being protected.

There are a number of debit cards that allow parents to keep an eye on their child's spending as well as their remaining balance. Should your child and their card become separated, you have the ability to prevent unauthorized purchases and possibly even get a replacement sent to wherever your child is staying.

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U.S. Passport Service Guide - Who we are

For over 20 years, U.S. Passport Service Guide has helped American citizens understand and navigate the passport application process. We use our expertise and experience to help travelers get United States passports quickly and efficiently.

Our website currently receives over half a million visitors a month. We are committed to going the "extra mile" for all of our readers. Both passport officials and website visitors frequently write to express gratitude for the assistance we provide.

Please contact us if you have any travel related questions - especially ones about passports and visa expediting. We usually respond to e-mails within 24 hours, oftentimes the same day. We are committed to working with you until you get the answer you need.

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