Travel Consent Letter
for Minors
Required by US Customs when a child travels without both parents. Generate a CBP-compliant letter with notary block in minutes.
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What's included
CBP Recommended Format
Structured per US Customs & Border Protection guidelines for minor travel documentation.
Notary Block Included
Optional notary acknowledgment section: recommended for international travel and frequently required abroad.
Emergency Medical Auth
Authorizes the traveling adult to consent to emergency medical treatment during travel.
When do you need this?
Child traveling with one parent while the other stays home
Child traveling with a grandparent, aunt/uncle, or family friend
Child traveling alone (as unaccompanied minor)
International destinations that explicitly require written consent
What to do with your document
- 1Sign the letter before a licensed Notary Public, required for international travel; both parents must appear if both are signing.
- 2Make three copies: one for the traveling adult to carry, one for the non-traveling parent to keep, one stored at home.
- 3Carry the notarized original in your carry-on luggage, not checked bags. Airlines may ask at check-in.
- 4Travel with any supporting documents: custody order if you have sole legal custody, or death certificate if the other parent is deceased.
Frequently asked questions
Is a child travel consent letter legally required?▾
Requirements vary by country and airline. Canada and Mexico formally recommend consent letters for children traveling without both parents, and border agents have discretion to require documentation. The letter is standard practice for international travel with a minor and prevents border delays.
Does the consent letter need to be notarized?▾
For international travel, yes, notarization is strongly recommended and required by many countries. For domestic US travel, it's not legally required but is a reasonable precaution. The notary's seal signals to foreign officials that the document is witnessed and legally valid.
What if I have sole legal custody, do I still need a consent letter?▾
A notarized consent letter is still recommended, but you should also carry your custody order. Some border agents require documentation of sole custody to understand why only one parent is present. Carrying both eliminates any ambiguity at the border.
What should the traveling adult keep on them at all times?▾
The original notarized consent letter, the child's passport, and any supporting custody or death certificate documents, all in carry-on luggage. Keep digital backups (photos on your phone) as a secondary copy.
kweldoc documents are drafting tools, not legal advice. Requirements vary by destination country. Consult a travel attorney or the destination country's consulate for specific requirements. kweldoc is not a law firm.