What is a child travel consent letter?
Children travelling with only one parent, with grandparents or with a school or sports group are often asked to show that the parent who isn't there agrees to the trip. Border and airline staff are watching for child abduction, so a vague note may not be enough. A child travel consent letter sets out who the child is, who they're travelling with, where they're going, when they'll be back, and how to reach the parent who gave consent.
This letter records the child's name, date of birth and passport number; the travelling adult's name, relationship and ID; the destination, dates, travel details and where the child will stay; and the consenting parent's ID, address and contact details. You can also authorise the travelling adult to consent to emergency medical treatment. The travelling adult countersigns to confirm the trip details and that they'll bring the child home.
- Best for
- A minor travelling with one parent, a relative, a friend's family or a group
- Signed by
- The consenting parent and the travelling adult
- Includes
- Passport numbers, trip dates, stay address, parent contact details
- Medical option
- Authorise emergency treatment if the parent can't be reached
- Length
- 1–2 pages
When to use a child travel consent letter
- A separated parent taking a child abroad on holiday
- Grandparents taking grandchildren on a trip
- A teenager travelling with a friend's family
- A school, choir or sports team trip overseas
- A child flying to visit relatives with an aunt or uncle
What you fill in
18 blanks, then the name and email of each person who signs: consenting parent, travelling adult.
1 Consenting parent
- Consenting parent's full name*
- Relationship to the child* Parent · Legal guardian
- Parent's passport or ID number
- Parent's phone*
- Parent's email
- Parent's address*
2 The child
- Child's full name (as on passport)*
- Child's date of birth*
- Child's passport number
3 Travelling with
- Travelling adult's full name*
- Their relationship to the child*
- Travelling adult's passport or ID number
4 The trip
- Destination(s)*
- Departure date*
- Return date*
- Travel details
- Where the child will stay
- Also authorise the travelling adult to consent to medical treatment* Yes — emergency treatment · No
5 Who signs
- Consenting parent signature and date · The parent or guardian who is NOT travelling and gives consent. If two parents are not travelling, each can sign their own letter.
- Travelling adult signature and date · The adult the child travels with. They sign to confirm the trip details and that they accept responsibility for the child during it.
What the child travel consent letter covers
- The child
- Travelling with
- The trip
- Consenting parent
Using the child travel consent letter, step by step
1 Enter your details
Add your full name, ID number, address, phone and email. Give a phone number you'll answer during the trip — officials sometimes call to check.
2 Add the child and the travelling adult
Use names exactly as they appear on passports. Add the child's date of birth and passport number, and the travelling adult's relationship to the child and ID number.
3 Describe the trip
Enter the destination, departure and return dates, and optionally flight numbers and where the child will stay. Choose whether to authorise emergency medical treatment.
4 Sign and share
You and the travelling adult sign online. Download the signed PDF for them to print and carry with a copy of your ID; it's also kept in your FileIt vault.
Tips before you send it
- Check the entry rules of each country on the route — some require a notarised or apostilled letter, which an e-signed copy won't replace.
- Send a copy of your passport or ID with the letter, and the child's birth certificate if surnames differ.
- Where both parents are not travelling, have each sign a letter (or check whether one is enough).
- If there's a court order about the child's travel or residence, follow it — this letter does not override it.
- For longer stays with a caregiver, add a medical treatment authorization for a minor.
Sign it online in minutes
- Fill in the blanks. Names, dates and amounts go straight into the agreement — the preview shows exactly where.
- Name who signs. Tick “This is me” for your own part. FileIt builds the PDF with every signature, date box on the right line, and you can check or move anything before sending.
- Send it. Each signer gets a secure link and signs from any device — no account needed. The signed PDF, with an audit trail and a Certificate of Completion, is filed in your vault and emailed to everyone.
Child travel consent letter: frequently asked questions
Is a child travel consent letter legally required?
It depends on the countries and carriers involved. Some require one for minors travelling without both parents; many others recommend it. Even where it isn't required, it can avoid delays at the border.
Does it need to be notarised?
Some countries and airlines ask for a notarised or apostilled letter. An e-signed letter with FileIt's audit trail is often accepted where notarisation isn't required, but check the destination's rules before you travel.
Does the letter change custody?
No. It says expressly that it does not change custody or parental responsibility. It only records your consent to this trip.
Can I authorise medical treatment in the same letter?
Yes — choose the emergency treatment option and the travelling adult may consent to urgent treatment a medical professional considers necessary if you can't be reached. For broader authority, use the medical treatment authorization for a minor.
Can the travelling adult sign on their phone?
Yes. Signers don't need a FileIt account and can sign on any device. Both signatures and the audit trail are in the final PDF.