Importance of Affidavit of Parental Consent for Travel of a Minor Child

An affidavit of parental consent for travel of a minor child is one of the most essential documents that you have to prepare when you are travelling with minor children. Children in minor age are those under the age of 18 (sometimes under the age of 16 in several countries). They are not considered as adults yet and thus they need parental consent for everything, including for traveling. When will you need the letter? Find out down below.

When the Child is Travelling Alone

When the child is traveling all alone, all by themselves, surely they need child travel consent letter. The letter will ensure the officers at the airport or at the immigration that the child is going somewhere safely for a reason. Without the letter, there will be a lot of questions about the child and it may have to delay their journey.

When the Child is Travelling with a Guardian

If you are a guardian of the child and definitely not his or her parents, you need to make the letter now. The parents will have to sign the letter and give you the consent of taking their child on a journey, particularly cross-country journey that can take days to complete.

When the Child is Not Biologically Yours

In several countries, such as Canada, the child does not need the affidavit of parental consent for travel of a minor child if the child is traveling with his or her biological parent. So, when you are about to travel with a child under the age of 18 and the child is not biologically yours (even when you are related), the letter of consent is still needed.

When You Do Not Have the Child’s Legal Custody

Sometimes, a child’s custody is a bit complicated, especially when the parents are divorced. Even when you are the parent, you will still need the letter if you do not have the child’s legal custody. Say for example, in a divorce the mom gets the custody. When the child is going to travel with the dad, the dad is still in need of the mom’s consent letter as the legal guardian is the mom.

Now that you know when the letter is needed, you can prepare for the letter way before traveling with the child. Why so? Because some countries required the letter to be legalized or notarized and it will take a long time to make. Start making the affidavit of parental consent for travel of a minor child from now on if you have travel plan in mind.