Do You Need a Consent Letter to Travel With a Child?
United States · Canada · United Kingdomversion 2026-09
Is a child travel consent letter required? What US, Canadian and UK sources say, who can ask for it, and what happens when it is missing.
The question before every other question is whether a letter is expected at all. The honest answer is that it depends on which country's rule you are reading: in the United States there is no regulation requiring one, in Canada it is not required by law but can be requested, and in the United Kingdom permission is required before a child is taken abroad. The table below is what each source states, with the date it was checked. The form on this site prints the letter if you decide to carry one.
Short answer, by country
- United States. CBP states that there is no regulation requiring the authorization letter to be notarized, and strongly recommends that a child carry a letter when travelling alone or with an adult other than both parents. CBP also notes that certain destination countries require a consent letter for children arriving or leaving without both parents, in some cases notarized, and advises checking with the destination country's embassy.
- Canada. Global Affairs Canada states that a consent letter is not legally required in Canada, but that it may be requested by immigration authorities, airline agents or Canadian officials, and that failure to produce one on request may result in delays or a refusal to enter or exit a country.
- United Kingdom. GOV.UK states that permission is required from everyone with parental responsibility, or from a court, before a child is taken abroad, and that a letter from that person is usually enough to show permission.
Country table
| Country | Is a letter required? | Who may ask | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | No regulation requires it; CBP strongly recommends carrying one | CBP officers; embassy guidance also names destination-country requirements | S1, S2 | 13 Sep 2026 |
| Canada | Not legally required, but may be requested | Immigration authorities, airline agents, Canadian officials on re-entry | S7 | 13 Sep 2026 |
| United Kingdom | Permission required from everyone with parental responsibility or a court; a letter usually shows it | UK or foreign border officers; a court where there is a dispute | S11 | 13 Sep 2026 |
| Destination country | Some countries require a letter, in some cases notarized | Immigration officers of that country | S1 | 13 Sep 2026 |
| Cruise lines and airlines | Set by each company; the four lines checked do not all require the same document | Terminal or check-in staff | S15, S17, S19 | 13 Sep 2026 |
Situations where sources say it is asked for most
- A child travelling alone.
- A child travelling with only one parent or guardian.
- A child travelling in the care of friends or other family members.
- A child travelling with a group, such as a sports, school, musical or religious group.
- A child boarding a cruise or a flight where the accompanying adult is not the parent or legal guardian.
What can happen without one
Global Affairs Canada states that failure to produce a letter upon request may result in delays or a refusal to enter or exit a country. U.S. embassy guidance states that where a letter is requested and not produced, the accompanying adult may be detained until the circumstances can be fully assessed. British guidance describes officers asking a few questions of an adult who may appear not to be the child's parent. Each of these is a description of what the source says may happen, not a prediction about any particular trip.
If the answer is yes
Two pages carry the next steps: how to fill the letter out box by box, and what changes when only one parent travels with the child.
Frequently asked questions
Is a consent letter legally required?
It depends on the country. CBP states that no regulation requires the authorization letter to be notarized and strongly recommends carrying one. Global Affairs Canada states a consent letter is not legally required in Canada but may be requested. GOV.UK states that permission from everyone with parental responsibility, or a court, is required before taking a child abroad.
Who can ask to see the letter?
Global Affairs Canada names immigration authorities when entering or leaving a foreign country, airline agents, and Canadian officials when re-entering Canada. British guidance describes Border Force officers asking questions where an adult may appear not to be the child's parent. U.S. embassy guidance describes CBP officers assessing the documents a child travels with.
What happens if we travel without one?
The sources describe delays, a refusal to enter or exit a country, additional questions at a border, and — in the U.S. embassy wording — detention of the accompanying adult until the circumstances can be fully assessed, where a letter is requested and not produced.
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Jurisdiction: United States · Canada · United Kingdom — version 2026-09.
What government sources say about notarisation and witnesses (information only):
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection states that there is no regulation requiring a consent letter to be notarized, but that CBP highly advises it. Certain destination countries require a consent letter for children arriving or leaving without both parents, in some cases notarized.
- Global Affairs Canada states that a consent letter is not legally required in Canada, that any adult may witness the signing, and that it strongly recommends a notary public witness it. Original signed letters are best.
- For the United Kingdom, GOV.UK states you must get the permission of everyone with parental responsibility, or a court, before taking a child abroad, and that a letter from that person is usually enough to show permission.
- Cruise lines set their own rules and they differ. On 13 September 2026 the published pages of Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian did not all require the same document.
- Royal Caribbean: adults who are not the parent or legal guardian must present an original, notarized letter signed by the child's parent(s).
- Carnival: original signed letter strongly recommended when a parent or legal guardian is not sailing.
- Disney Cruise Line: the Minor Authorization Form is required for each child travelling without a parent or legal guardian.
- Norwegian: their Parent/Guardian Consent Form must be signed by both living parents/legal guardians, with a copy of government-issued ID attached.
Check the current published policy of the airline, cruise line or border agency you are dealing with.
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Sources
Sumber:
- S1 — https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1375?language=en_US — U.S. Customs and Border Protection — checked 13 September 2026
- S2 — https://pl.usembassy.gov/child-travelers — U.S. Embassy in Poland (U.S. Department of State) — checked 13 September 2026
- S3 — https://jm.usembassy.gov/traveling-with-children — U.S. Embassy in Jamaica (U.S. Department of State) — checked 13 September 2026
- S7 — https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/children/consent-letter — Global Affairs Canada — checked 13 September 2026
- S11 — https://www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad — GOV.UK — checked 13 September 2026
- S14 — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/getting-through-the-uk-border-faster/faster-travel-through-the-uk-border — GOV.UK (updated 28 July 2026) — checked 13 September 2026
- S15 — https://www.royalcaribbean.com/gbr/en/faq/questions/what-family-legal-documents-do-i-need-to-board — Royal Caribbean — checked 13 September 2026
- S17 — https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/10972/ — Carnival Cruise Line (Minor Guest Policy, effective 1 February 2025) — checked 13 September 2026
- S19 — https://www.ncl.com/faq/age-requirements — Norwegian Cruise Line (Age requirements FAQ) — checked 13 September 2026