Traveling with a child without both parents: the consent letter, what to put in it and what to carry

The United States does not require proof that both parents agree before a child travels abroad — the State Department says so in as many words. But some countries do, and USAGov still recommends that a child traveling with only one parent carry a letter of consent from the other parent, preferably in English and notarized. If the child travels alone or with someone else, such as a grandparent, both parents sign. Bring a copy of the child's birth certificate too.

So the honest answer to do I need one? is: the U.S. won't ask for it on its own, but your destination, your airline or a border officer might, and a one-page letter is far cheaper than a missed flight.

• NoU.S. rule requiring both parents' permissionbut some destination countries have one
• 1 or 2signatures: the other parent, or both if neither travels
• Notarizedand in English is what USAGov prefers
• Copyof the child's birth certificate to carryor other proof of your relationship

As of October 2026 · Sources: travel.state.gov (Travel with Minors), usa.gov (Travel documents for children), CBP.

Why the letter exists at all

The point is preventing international parental child abduction. USAGov puts it simply: ports of entry in many countries have security measures to prevent it, and a child traveling alone or with only one parent or legal guardian may need a letter of consent.

Some countries go further. The State Department notes that in some places a minor can't leave without a legal parent or guardian, and some require formal consent from the parent who isn't traveling, or proof of sole custody. CBP's advice is the same: check with the embassy or consulate of your destination for its exact rules, and whether it wants the letter notarized.

What the letter should say

USAGov gives the core sentence: I acknowledge that my child is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission. Around it, a useful letter includes:

• the child's full name, date of birth and passport number
• the traveling adult's full name and relationship to the child
• the destination country or countries and the travel dates
• the non-traveling parent's full name, address, phone number and email
• the non-traveling parent's signature, dated, in front of a notary

Write it in English, keep it to one page, and attach a copy of the signer's photo ID — the State Department asks for exactly that with its own notarized consent form for children's passports. If you're traveling to a country where English isn't the official language, ask its embassy whether it also wants a translation.

Who signs, in each situation

• The child's own valid passportplus any visa the destination needs
• Consent letter from the other parentnotarized, in English, with dates and destination
• Copy of the other parent's photo IDso the signature can be checked
• Copy of the child's birth certificateor another document showing your relationship
• Custody order, if you have sole custodycarry it instead of a letter
• Contact details for the other parentin case an officer wants to call
• Airline forms for unaccompanied minorsonly if the child flies alone

• One parent travels with the child: the other parent signs.
• The child travels with a grandparent, relative, friend or group: both parents sign.
• The child travels alone: both parents sign, and the airline will have its own unaccompanied minor forms and possibly a fee.
• You have sole custody: carry a copy of the custody document instead of a letter.

A parent who crosses a land border often — weekend trips to Canada or Mexico, say — should keep a standing letter of permission in the car, USAGov advises.

What else to carry

The letter works alongside the child's other documents, not instead of them:

• The child's own passport. CBP says all children and infants flying into the United States need one. U.S. children under 16 arriving by land or sea from Canada or Mexico can instead show a birth certificate (original or copy), a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or a naturalization certificate.
• A copy of the birth certificate or other evidence of your relationship to the child — the State Department says to always bring one.
• Visas or entry forms the destination requires for children.

If the child doesn't have a passport yet, note that getting one for a child under 16 needs both parents too: both must approve and appear in person, or the absent parent signs a notarized Form DS-3053, which must be submitted within three months of signing.

Notarizing and timing

The non-traveling parent signs in front of a notary public with photo ID. Notary rules and fees are set by each state, so the signer's local notary can tell them what to bring. Sign a fresh letter for each trip with the actual dates rather than reusing an old one; a letter that names this trip answers the question an officer is actually asking.

If you're worried that the other parent might take a child abroad without your consent, the State Department runs the Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program and an abduction prevention line at 1-888-407-4747.

Keep the paperwork where you can reach it

The low-tech version: put the signed letter, the ID copy, the birth certificate copy and the custody order in one envelope in your carry-on, and photograph each page so you still have them if the bag goes missing. The international travel documents checklist covers the rest of the family's papers, and the six-month rule guide tells you whether the child's passport is valid long enough for the destination.

Paperlock keeps those photos in a Face-ID-locked vault and, with reminders turned on, warns you six months before a child's passport expires — children's passports last only five years, so they lapse sooner than you expect.

None of this is legal advice. Custody arrangements and destination rules differ, so for your own trip, check with the destination's embassy and, if custody is contested, with a family lawyer before you book.