Parental travel authorisation
A parental consent letter is a written authorisation from the legal guardians granting a child permission to travel abroad, either alone, with only one parent, or with another adult who is not a legal guardian.
Countries and airlines have requirements for parental consent letters, which must be presented to the airline or to the authorities in the country the child is travelling to. Entry into the country may be questioned or denied if a parental consent letter is not provided.
Parental consent letters are required as a measure to combat child trafficking, uphold family law, prevent complex international legal disputes, and minimise cases of child abduction in custody matters.
When a minor travels alone
When a child travels alone, special rules apply. These may concern age, permissions, and travel procedures. Many airlines offer assistance and dedicated services for unaccompanied minors. Check in advance which rules apply to ensure the journey is safe and smooth.
Travelling with one parent
Many international abductions occur when one parent takes the child without the other parent’s permission. To avoid problems at border controls or suspicions of unlawful removal, it is important that the travelling parent can present a written consent letter from the other legal guardian.
Or with a person who is not the legal guardian
If a child is travelling with someone other than the legal guardian, it is important to find out in advance which rules apply. In many countries, a written consent letter from the legal guardians is required to confirm that the child has permission to travel with the accompanying person.
Obtain a travel consent letter for minors
If a minor is going to travel and requires a consent letter, you can click the button below to obtain it.
An international resource providing legal information and awareness on cross-border travel involving minors.