he United States, like many countries around the world, has rigid requirements for traveling with children. The minor travel consent form has become increasing necessary because of the rise in instances of child abduction in custody cases, and a growing number of children who are the victims of trafficking.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), all U.S. citizens must show a valid passport if re-entering the country by air. This includes children of any age.
When flying within the U.S., or traveling internationally by land or sea, a child’s birth certificate will suffice most of the time. A notarized letter of consent will be required for children who travel without one or both of their parents or legal guardians. The letter of consent ensures the legitimacy of the travel consent offered by the accompanying adult.
There is no standard-issue minor travel consent form, though there are templates online that may be used as examples. As you’ll see, you must capture the who, what, where, when, and why, with respect to the child’s travel, as well as contact information for the absentee parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
There are a wide range of scenarios that may apply to you and your family. Be sure to verify the documents you will need to travel through the CBP’s “Find and Answer” page, including your notarized minor consent to travel form.
REGARDING THE FORM ITSELF
If a child (under the age of 18) is traveling with only one parent or with someone who is not a parent or legal guardian, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that the accompanying adult have a note from the non-traveling parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with neither parent, a note signed by both parents) stating “I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter/group. He/She/They has/have my/our permission to do so.”
CBP suggests that this note be notarized. If there is no second parent with legal custody of the child (e..g., the second parent is deceased, one parent has sole custody, etc.), relevant paperwork such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., would be useful as well.
While CBP may not ask to see this documentation when the child enters the U.S., the U.S. is very sensitive to the possibility of child abduction and trafficking, and the child and accompanying adult could be detained if questions arise about the situation. While the U.S. does not require this documentation, many other countries do, and onward travel could be impeded without a notarized permission letter and/or other documentation. (Canada, for example, has very strict requirements in this regard).
This advice applies to U.S. citizens and non-citizens alike. More information can be found on the Customs and Border Protection website.
DOWNLOAD MINOR TRAVEL CONSENT FORM HERE
MINOR TRAVELING WITHOUT PARENT BUT A RELATIVE
MINOR TRAVELING WITH ONE PARENT AND WITNESS SIGNATURE REQUIRED
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us, we will be glad to answer your questions is totally free.
If you need us to prepare the form or just print it for you, we will do that as well, just let us know in advance.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), all U.S. citizens must show a valid passport if re-entering the country by air. This includes children of any age.
When flying within the U.S., or traveling internationally by land or sea, a child’s birth certificate will suffice most of the time. A notarized letter of consent will be required for children who travel without one or both of their parents or legal guardians. The letter of consent ensures the legitimacy of the travel consent offered by the accompanying adult.
There is no standard-issue minor travel consent form, though there are templates online that may be used as examples. As you’ll see, you must capture the who, what, where, when, and why, with respect to the child’s travel, as well as contact information for the absentee parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
There are a wide range of scenarios that may apply to you and your family. Be sure to verify the documents you will need to travel through the CBP’s “Find and Answer” page, including your notarized minor consent to travel form.
REGARDING THE FORM ITSELF
If a child (under the age of 18) is traveling with only one parent or with someone who is not a parent or legal guardian, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that the accompanying adult have a note from the non-traveling parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with neither parent, a note signed by both parents) stating “I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter/group. He/She/They has/have my/our permission to do so.”
CBP suggests that this note be notarized. If there is no second parent with legal custody of the child (e..g., the second parent is deceased, one parent has sole custody, etc.), relevant paperwork such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., would be useful as well.
While CBP may not ask to see this documentation when the child enters the U.S., the U.S. is very sensitive to the possibility of child abduction and trafficking, and the child and accompanying adult could be detained if questions arise about the situation. While the U.S. does not require this documentation, many other countries do, and onward travel could be impeded without a notarized permission letter and/or other documentation. (Canada, for example, has very strict requirements in this regard).
This advice applies to U.S. citizens and non-citizens alike. More information can be found on the Customs and Border Protection website.
DOWNLOAD MINOR TRAVEL CONSENT FORM HERE
MINOR TRAVELING WITHOUT PARENT BUT A RELATIVE
MINOR TRAVELING WITH ONE PARENT AND WITNESS SIGNATURE REQUIRED
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us, we will be glad to answer your questions is totally free.
If you need us to prepare the form or just print it for you, we will do that as well, just let us know in advance.