Child Travel Consent Form: Free Template and Official Rules (2026)

When a child crosses a border without both parents, an immigration or airline officer may ask one question: does the parent who is not here agree to this trip? A child travel consent form is the written answer. Canada says a consent letter “is not legally required”; USA.gov says a child traveling without both parents “may need” one. Both governments advise carrying it, and without it a family can face extra questions, delays or even a refusal to enter or exit a country.

This page explains, quoting the U.S. and Canadian governments and Mexico’s immigration institute, when a child needs a consent letter, who must sign it, what it should say and whether it must be notarized. You can download a free form in PDF or Word, or fill one in online.

When a child needs a travel consent letter

Situation	Consent letter?	Who signs
Abroad with one parent	Recommended	The parent who is not traveling
Abroad with a grandparent, relative, friend or group	Recommended	Both parents (or everyone with decision-making responsibility)
Abroad alone	Recommended, plus the airline’s own unaccompanied minor form	Both parents
Domestic flights within the United States	TSA does not require ID for children under 18; airlines set their own rules	Whoever the airline asks for

The Government of Canada uses the same logic. It recommends a letter when a child travels “with only one parent or person with decision-making responsibility”, “in the care of friends or other family members” or “with a group, such as a sports, school, musical or religious group”. A consent letter “is not legally required in Canada”, but “failure to produce a letter upon request may result in delays or a refusal to enter or exit a country” (travel.gc.ca). Canada also points out that the letter applies to “any international border, including the land border with the United States even for a day trip.”

Who should sign the letter

The rule of thumb from both governments: every parent or guardian with a say over the child who is not on the trip signs. Canada puts it this way: the letter “should be signed by any parent or other person who has decision-making responsibility for the child and who is not travelling with them. This includes parents who are married, in a common law relationship, separated or divorced.”

• Sole custody. USA.gov, in its guidance for children traveling to the U.S.: “A parent with sole custody of the child they are traveling with should carry a copy of the custody document.” Canada still recommends a letter from the other parent “whenever possible or safe”, plus a copy of the court order.
• A parent has died. Canada advises bringing “a copy of the death certificate of the deceased parent”. A child traveling alone should carry a letter from the surviving parent with a copy of the certificate.
• The other parent cannot be reached, or asking would be unsafe. Carry any court order that covers the situation, and consider legal advice.
• A child in temporary care. In Canada, the letter “should be signed by the appropriate child welfare agency representative”.
• Frequent land crossings. USA.gov, in the same guidance: “A parent who frequently crosses the border by land with a minor should always carry a letter of permission from the other parent.”

What to put in a child travel consent form

Neither government prescribes a format. Canada says: “There are no official guidelines for the content and format of a consent letter”, but it usually includes the names and contact details of the parents or guardians, “the full name, address, and contact information of the accompanying adult and their relationship to the child”, and “where the child is travelling and the duration of the trip, including specific travel dates”. Our form covers that list and adds what border and airline staff tend to ask about:

Section	Details
Child	Full name, date and place of birth, passport number.
Parents or guardians	Names, addresses, phone numbers and email for each person signing.
Accompanying adult	Full name, relationship to the child, address, phone and passport number.
The trip	Destination countries and cities, departure and return dates, flight numbers if known.
Consent statement	The USA.gov wording: “I acknowledge that my child is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission.”
Medical authorization	Optional permission for the accompanying adult to consent to emergency treatment.
Signatures and notary	Each parent’s signature and date, and a notary acknowledgment.

Children from the same family traveling together can be listed on one letter, and two parents can sign one letter or separate ones, according to Canada. It recommends separate letters for children who will travel separately for part of the trip.

Does a child travel consent form need to be notarized?

Neither government says it must be notarized, but both advise it. USA.gov: “It is preferred that the letter of consent is in English and notarized.” Canada: “Any adult may witness the signing of a consent letter; however, it is strongly recommended that a notary public witness sign it.”

Rules by destination

Entering the United States

For a child who is not a U.S. citizen traveling to the U.S. alone, with one custodial parent, or with a guardian, USA.gov says the child should have the documents their own country requires for leaving without both parents, and “a letter of consent from the other parent or signed by both custodial parents”. It adds: “All children, including infants, must have their own travel documents, such as a passport or visa to enter the U.S.”

U.S. children going to Canada or Mexico

USA.gov: “All U.S. citizen children who are traveling by air to Canada or Mexico must have a U.S. passport or Trusted Traveler Program card.” For other crossings, USA.gov lists for children under 16 the child’s original or certified copy of their birth certificate, a Certificate of Naturalization or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, and for children 16 or over a U.S. passport or Trusted Traveler Program card.

Children leaving Canada

For children leaving Canada, the Government of Canada advises that “any child under the age of 19 should carry a consent letter when travelling abroad without both parents or persons with decision-making responsibility for that child”, and notes that foreign authorities may still ask for one even when a child aged 16 or older has an adult passport.

Leaving Mexico: the SAM form

Mexico’s immigration institute (INM) has its own exit form for minors, the Formato de Salida de Menores (SAM), for minors who leave Mexico alone or with an adult who is not a parent or legal guardian. The INM says it is not required when children “viajen acompañados de uno de sus padres, de ambos padres” (travel with one or both parents) or with the person who holds parental authority or guardianship, nor when they travel with another adult and present an authorization granted before a notary or a judicial authority. One form is needed per child and per trip. The INM states the form “Tiene una vigencia de seis meses a partir de su expedición” (valid for six months from issue), can be used once, and lists a fee of MXN 294.00 (gob.mx/inm).

Other countries

Rules differ and can depend on the child’s nationality, not only the destination. Canada warns that a consent letter “may not always be considered sufficient by a country’s immigration authorities”. USA.gov’s advice: contact the embassy or consulate of the country the child will visit “and ask about letters of consent and other entry and exit requirements for that country.” Some countries may treat a child of one of their citizens as a citizen too (dual or “deemed” citizenship), and the child may be subject to the same entry and exit rules.

Domestic flights and children flying alone

For domestic flights, the TSA says: “TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States”, with one exception: “unaccompanied minors who are eligible for TSA PreCheck must show an acceptable ID to receive expedited screening.” It tells families to contact the airline about its own ID rules. For a child flying alone, USA.gov notes that “the airline may require you to submit an unaccompanied minor or travel consent form” and may charge a fee for its unaccompanied minor service. Check the airline’s age limits and connecting-flight rules before you book.

What a consent letter cannot do

A consent letter shows permission; it is not a travel document and does not replace a passport or visa. Canada is explicit: it “does not guarantee that a child will not be taken abroad without permission or that the child will be returned to Canada.” If you fear international child abduction, a letter is not the tool: talk to a family lawyer.

Common mistakes

• Only the traveling parent signs. The letter should come from the parent who is not traveling.
• A photo of the letter on a phone. Carry the signed original.
• Vague dates such as “this summer”. Put exact departure and return dates.
• Forgetting the custody order or death certificate when one parent signs alone.
• Assuming the letter is enough everywhere. Mexico, for example, has its own exit form for minors leaving without a parent.
• Packing it in checked luggage. Keep it with the passports.

Download the free child travel consent form

The form includes every section in the table above, the USA.gov consent wording, an optional medical authorization, room for up to three children, and a notary certificate. Fill it in by hand or in Word, or use the online generator further down.

Child Travel Consent generator — fill it in online

Child travel consent: common questions

Is a child travel consent form required by law?

Canada says a consent letter “is not legally required”; USA.gov says a child traveling without both parents “may need” one. Both recommend carrying one, because border officers and airlines may ask for proof that the absent parent agrees. Some countries have their own requirements, such as Mexico’s SAM form for minors leaving without a parent.

Does a child travel consent letter need to be notarized?

It is not legally required, but USA.gov says it is “preferred” that the letter is “in English and notarized”, and Canada “strongly” recommends a notary.

Do both parents need to sign?

If the child travels with one parent, the other parent signs. If the child travels alone or with someone else, both parents sign, according to USA.gov.

Does a child need a consent letter to fly within the U.S.?

The TSA does not require ID from children under 18 on domestic flights (except unaccompanied minors using TSA PreCheck). Airlines set their own rules, especially for children flying alone.

How long is a consent letter valid?

Neither USA.gov nor the Government of Canada sets an expiry date. Write it for one specific trip with exact dates, and sign a new one for the next trip. Mexico’s SAM form, by contrast, is valid for six months and one use.

Can grandparents travel internationally with a grandchild?

Usually yes, with a consent letter signed by both parents (or everyone with decision-making responsibility), the child’s passport and any visa the destination requires. Check the destination’s entry and exit rules first: Canada warns a letter “may not always be considered sufficient”.

Does the letter need to be in English?

USA.gov says it is “preferred” in English. For other destinations, ask the embassy whether it needs a translation or an apostille before you notarize.

Related

• Proof of residency letter
• Affidavit form
• Medical power of attorney, for longer arrangements
• Power of attorney template