Travelling abroad with one parent: consent letters

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 6 min read

A child travelling internationally with only one parent, a grandparent, or another guardian can be asked, at check-in or at the border, to show evidence the other parent (or both parents, if neither is travelling) has consented to the trip. Not every country asks for this, and requirements are inconsistent even at the same border on different days — but carrying a simple consent letter costs little and can prevent a serious problem if you're one of the travellers who does get asked.

Why this gets checked at all

Consent letter checks exist to guard against international parental child abduction — a parent taking a child abroad without the other parent's knowledge or agreement, often during a custody dispute. Airlines, immigration officers and, in some countries, exit border control can all ask for evidence of consent, particularly when a child is travelling with only one adult who doesn't obviously share the child's surname, or when a child is travelling with a non-parent guardian. It sits alongside the standard documents any family should carry — see our broader guide to travelling with children for passports, health documents and other essentials.

When you're likely to be asked

• One parent travelling with the child, the other parent not present — the most common scenario prompting a check, especially if surnames differ.
• A grandparent, other relative, or family friend travelling with the child, with neither parent present — checks are more likely here than for a parent travelling alone with the child.
• Crossing certain land borders, particularly in parts of Southern Africa (South Africa has historically had strict, specific documentary requirements for minors — see our Southern Africa entry requirements guide) and some Latin American countries, where checks are more systematic than elsewhere.
• Divorced or separated parents, where an officer or airline may ask specifically to rule out a custody-related abduction risk.

What a consent letter should include

There's no single official template recognised everywhere, but a well-prepared letter typically covers:

• The child's full name, date of birth and passport number.
• The full name and passport number of the parent(s) giving consent.
• The full name of the parent or adult the child is travelling with.
• The destination(s), approximate travel dates, and purpose of the trip.
• A clear statement that the non-travelling parent(s) consent to the trip.
• The consenting parent's signature and the date, plus a contact phone number and email.
• Copies of the consenting parent's own passport or ID, and — where relevant — proof of the relationship, such as the child's birth certificate.

Does it need to be notarised?

Sometimes. Requirements range from no notarisation needed at all, to a simple signed letter, to a fully notarised or apostilled document in the child's and the consenting parent's own language plus a certified translation into the destination country's language. Because this varies so much by country and situation, the safest approach is to check the specific requirement for your destination directly — via that country's embassy or consulate, or official government travel advice — well before you travel, rather than assuming a simple signed letter will always be enough. Checking entry rules generally, not just the consent-letter question, is worth doing at the same time — see our guide to whether you need a visa for how to check requirements properly for your nationality and destination.

Examples by situation (illustrative, always verify)

• One parent travelling within the EU/Schengen Area with the child: checks are inconsistent and often not enforced at all for intra-Schengen travel, but a simple letter is a sensible precaution given how little it costs to prepare.
• One parent travelling to South Africa: South Africa has, at various points, required an unabridged birth certificate showing both parents' details for minors, in addition to consent documentation — requirements have shifted over time, so check current rules directly before travelling.
• A grandparent or other relative travelling with a child, no parent present: a signed consent letter from both parents (or the sole legal guardian) is the safest default virtually everywhere, since this scenario draws more scrutiny than a parent travelling alone with their own child.
• Divorced parents with a custody arrangement: it can help to also carry a copy of the relevant custody order or agreement, particularly if travel is a point of disagreement or restriction in that arrangement.

Practical preparation

1. Check the specific requirement for your destination country, any transit countries, and the airline, well ahead of travel.
2. Draft the letter covering the details above, and have the non-travelling parent(s) sign it.
3. Get it notarised if the destination requires or recommends it — a notary or solicitor can usually do this quickly.
4. Carry both a printed copy and a photo of it on your phone, along with a copy of the child's birth certificate and, where relevant, evidence of custody arrangements.
5. Keep the consenting parent reachable by phone during the trip in case an officer wants to verify by contacting them directly.
6. Set up an eSIM or other reliable connectivity before you go, so the consenting parent can be reached quickly if a border officer does want to verify by phone.

If you can't get the other parent's consent

Where a parent is unreachable, unwilling, or where there's a court order restricting travel, this becomes a legal matter rather than a paperwork one — a border officer's questioning in this situation goes well beyond the routine checks covered in our guide to what immigration officers ask. Seek advice from a family law solicitor in good time before any planned trip, rather than attempting to travel without proper authority. Taking a child abroad without required consent, where one parent has legal rights over that decision, can carry serious legal consequences.

Frequently asked questions

Is a consent letter legally required everywhere?

No — there's no single global rule. Some countries and airlines check consistently, many rarely check at all, and requirements can change. Because the cost of preparing a letter is low and the cost of being turned away without one can be high, most family travel guidance recommends carrying one regardless of whether it's strictly mandated for your specific route.

Does a consent letter need to be in English?

It depends on the destination. Some countries expect a certified translation into the local language alongside the original; check the specific requirement for your destination rather than assuming English will be accepted everywhere.

What if both parents are travelling but the child has a different surname?

Carrying the child's birth certificate showing both parents' names is generally sufficient to resolve any surname mismatch, without needing a formal consent letter, since both legal guardians are present.

Does this apply to teenagers as well as young children?

Generally yes — most countries' rules define a "minor" for this purpose as anyone under 18, regardless of how independent or mature the traveller seems. Always check the specific age threshold used by your destination country.