Is your child going on a trip for school, sports, or to see relatives in the near future? A travel consent letter is often required when a minor child is travelling overseas without both parents or legal guardians, alone, or with a third party. This is often called a letter of consent, consent to travel, minor child's authorization, or simply a consent letter.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada strongly recommends that children travelling abroad carry a notarized consent letter from every person with the legal right to make major decisions on their behalf, if that person is not accompanying the child on the trip. Children travelling alone, or with grandparents, school, camp, church, band groups, or with only one of their custodial parents, should always travel with a consent letter.
Brosgall Legal | Notary Services regularly prepares and notarizes consent letters, and we would be pleased to assist you with your statutory declaration and notarization requirements. If you have any questions, or want to book an appointment, please send us an email or call us at 604-685-2326. You may also visit our home page for further information.
Contents of a Consent to Travel Letter
The travel consent letter indicates who the child will be travelling with, where they are going, and sometimes includes a basic itinerary. The declarant confirms that they grant the travel guardian full permission to take temporary custody of the child, and gives them full responsibility for the child's welfare while travelling. The declaration includes the name of the parent(s) giving consent and their address. The name of the person travelling with the child is also given, as well as their relationship, occupation, address, and passport number. Finally, the child's name, gender, date of birth, and passport number are recorded. Once the travel consent letter is completed, it is signed by the parent or guardian before a commissioner of oaths - usually a lawyer or notary public, who will then apply their signature, stamp, and seal. The child must then carry the notarized consent letter with their passport when travelling.
A travel consent letter will usually facilitate entry of a Canadian child into another country. However, carrying a consent letter does not always guarantee entry, as permission to enter another country is entirely at the decision of that country, and enforcement is not always consistent. However, due to international child abduction, it is becoming more common for foreign countries to require consent letters. In addition to a consent letter, there may be other country-specific entry requirements. You may decide to contact the Vancouver consular office of the country your child will be visiting to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding specific entry and exit requirements.
Types of Consent Letters
There are various forms of consent letters, depending on the circumstances. If a minor is traveling with one parent, the absent parent is expected to provide notarized consent. If only one parent has legal custody, that parent should be prepared to provide a court order of child custody to airlines and international authorities. A step-father/mother cannot sign unless the child has been legally adopted. If a minor is traveling alone, both parents or the sole, documented custodial parent must provide notarized consent. If a minor has a different surname, the parent should be prepared to provide evidence to airlines and official authorities, such a birth certificate or adoption papers, to prove parentage. If the minor has one deceased parent, a copy of a death certificate may be required. If the minor only has one parent, that parent must produce a birth certificate to that effect.
A sample of a typical consent letter is attached at the bottom of this article.
Vandcouver Notary Public, Commissioner of Oaths, and Lawyer
Brosgall Legal's owner and principal, Adam Brosgall, is an experienced Vancouver Notary Public, Commissioner of Oaths, and Lawyer. He is fully qualified, licenced, and insured to draft and swear travel consent letters. If you have any questions, please feel free to send us an email, or call 604-685-2326 to book an appointment or mobile visit. Same day service and walk-ins are welcome. Please see our home page for our other services, and we look forward to seeing you.
