Free Child Travel Consent Form (PDF & Word) – 2026

A child travel consent done badly creates more legal exposure than no document at all, because it puts in writing the misunderstanding that would otherwise have been resolved by a phone call. The template below is one we would actually use ourselves. Free PDF and editable Word.

This page provides a free child travel consent form in PDF and Microsoft Word format. The form includes the elements that border officials, airline carriers, and other authorities expect: parental identification, child identification, travel details, accompanying adult, emergency contacts, and notary jurat.

When to Use a Child Travel Consent

• International travel. All international travel with a minor, even with both parents.
• Travel with one parent. Especially important if the parents are divorced or separated.
• Travel with non-parents. Aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends, or chaperones.
• Unaccompanied minors. Airline unaccompanied minor programs and solo travel.
• School and camp trips. Group trips with chaperones.
• Medical emergencies. Authorization for medical decisions during travel.

What to Include

• Parent / guardian information. Full names, addresses, contact details, parental status.
• Child information. Full name, date of birth, place of birth, passport or ID number.
• Travel destination. Cities, countries, dates of travel.
• Accompanying adult. Full name, relationship to child, contact info, passport number for international.
• Authorization scope. What the accompanying adult is authorized to do (custody, medical decisions).
• Emergency contacts. Multiple contacts with relationships.
• Medical authorization. Permission for emergency medical treatment.
• Parent signatures. Both parents if both have parental rights.
• Notary acknowledgment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a child travel consent form?

A child travel consent form is a notarized written authorization from a parent or legal guardian permitting a minor child to travel without that parent (whether with the other parent, a relative, a friend, a school group, or alone). The form documents parental consent, the child’s identity, the travel details, and emergency contact information.

When is a child travel consent required?

For international travel with one parent (border officials routinely ask for it), domestic travel with non-parents (schools, relatives, friends), travel with one parent if the parents are separated or divorced (custody dispute prevention), and unaccompanied minor travel by airline (often required by carrier policy).

Does the consent need to be notarized?

Strongly recommended. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Canadian Border Services explicitly recommend notarization for international travel. Domestic travel does not strictly require notarization but is best practice for non-parents.

What if one parent has sole custody?

The custodial parent can sign alone, but should attach a copy of the custody order showing sole custody. Border and airline officials may scrutinize single-parent travel — the custody order prevents delays.

Do I need consent for travel within the United States?

Legally no — parents may travel domestically with their child without paperwork. However, schools, summer camps, and chaperoned trips typically require written consent. TSA does not require it for minor passengers traveling with a parent.

What about international travel?

Strongly recommended for ALL international travel with a minor. Border officials in many countries (Canada, Mexico, EU) actively request notarized consent letters. Without one, you may face delays, additional questioning, or refusal of entry.

Should both parents sign?

If both parents have parental rights, both should sign. A consent signed by only one parent of a child with two living, married parents may be challenged at the border. Single parents, sole custodians, and deceased-parent cases have specific documentation requirements.

How long is the consent valid?

The consent is valid only for the specific trip and dates listed. Use a new form for each trip. Some forms are written more broadly (e.g., authorizing summer camp activities for the season) but date-specific is the cleanest.

Download the Free Child Travel Consent Form

A note on legal effect: this template is designed to be functional, not bulletproof. It covers the standard situations correctly, but edge cases (multi-party transactions, regulated industries, cross-jurisdictional issues, distressed counterparties) usually need attorney review. We are not your lawyer. Use the template, but get a second opinion if the stakes are real.

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