Recommended consent letter for children travelling abroad

A consent letter is a written statement showing that a child has permission to travel abroad from any parent or person with decision-making responsibility for the child (for example, a legal guardian or tutor) who is not travelling with them, regardless of the child’s status in Canada.

We recommend that children travelling outside Canada without one or both parents or legal guardians carry a signed consent letter.

A consent letter is not legally required in Canada, but it may be requested by:

• immigration authorities when entering or leaving a foreign country
• airline agents
• Canadian officials when entering Canada

Failure to produce a letter upon request may result in delays or a refusal to enter or exit a country.

This general guidance can help you prepare a consent letter. Because every family situation is different, you may want to get legal advice specific to your circumstances.

If you need help finding legal services in your province or territory, contact a lawyer referral service (Department of Justice Canada).

On this page

What a consent letter is and when to use it

A consent letter gives permission for a child to travel across any international border, including the land border with the United States even for a day trip.

Border officials have the right to ask for proof that all parents or persons with decision-making responsibility are giving permission for a child’s travel. A signed consent letter is the recommended way to show this agreement. In the absence of such a letter, border officials could ask you additional questions and may ask to contact the absent parent with your permission.

Some countries have their own entry and exit requirements for children. The consent letter may not always be considered sufficient by a country’s immigration authorities and there is no guarantee that they will recognize it.

For more information, check the entry and exit requirements in the Travel Advice and Advisories for your destination country and contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of the destination country before travelling.

Learn more about minor children travelling to Canada.

When to use a consent letter

Use a consent letter when a child is travelling:

• alone
• with only one parent or person with decision-making responsibility (for example a guardian or tutor), even if they are travelling with both parents for part of the trip
• in the care of friends or other family members
• with a group, such as a sports, school, musical or religious group

Age of the child

To avoid complications, any child under the age of 19 should carry a consent letter when travelling abroad without both parents or persons with decision-making responsibility for that child. Even if a child is 16 or older and can apply for an adult passport, foreign authorities may still request a consent letter.

Children with dual or “deemed” citizenship

In some countries, your child may be deemed a citizen if you or the other parent is a citizen of that country. As a deemed citizen, your child may be subject to the same entry and exit requirements as other citizens of that country.

Consult the entry and exit requirements in the Travel Advice and Advisories for your destination country or contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of the destination country before travelling to find out the requirements.

Learn more about travelling as a dual citizen.

Who should sign a consent letter

A consent letter should be signed by any parent or other person who has decision-making responsibility for the child and who is not travelling with them.

This includes parents who are married, in a common law relationship, separated or divorced.

If getting the other parent’s consent is not possible or could be unsafe, you may wish to seek legal advice.

Using a consent letter with different parenting arrangements

A consent letter is recommended even if a parenting order or agreement allows one parent to make travel decisions alone. Border officials or airline staff may still ask to see proof that all parents or persons with decision-making responsibility agree to the child travelling, and a consent letter helps avoid delays.

Whether a parent has sole or shared decision-making responsibility, it is recommended that the child travel with:

• a consent letter from the other parent whenever possible or safe
• a copy of any relevant court order(s) or parenting arrangement

If you have questions about consent letters, how your parenting order or agreement applies, or if getting a consent letter isn’t possible or safe, you may wish to get legal advice.

Other situations to consider:

Unavailable parent or person with decision-making responsibility

Consent may be needed if a parent is out of the country, in prison or detention, or otherwise hard to reach. Carry any relevant court order that addresses the situation. If no order exists or the other parent cannot be reached, you may wish to seek legal advice.

Parent living outside Canada

The consent letter should ideally be signed by the parent living abroad. The signature can be witnessed by any adult, including a consular officer at any Canadian government office abroad (fees apply). Digital signatures may be accepted, but carrying the original signed letter is the recommended option to reduce the likelihood of border officials questioning the authenticity of the letter.

If a parent has died

If the other parent is deceased and you have sole decision-making responsibility for your child, you should bring a copy of the death certificate of the deceased parent when accompanying the child on a trip. If your child is travelling alone, they should carry a consent letter signed by the surviving parent, along with a copy of the death certificate.

If the child is in temporary care

The consent letter should be signed by the appropriate child welfare agency representative granting permission for the child to travel alone or with the accompanying person.

In addition to a consent letter and parenting arrangement order or agreement, if applicable, find out what other travel documents a child may need while travelling at Travel documents for children.

What to include in a consent letter

There are no official guidelines for the content and format of a consent letter, but it usually includes:

• the name of the child
• the names and contact information of parents or persons with decision-making responsibility for the child, for example, legal guardians or tutors
• the full name, address, and contact information of the accompanying adult and their relationship to the child
• information on where the child is travelling and the duration of the trip, including specific travel dates

Formatting the consent letter

You may use one or multiple letters, depending on the situation:

• If neither parent is accompanying the child, they can both sign one letter or each can sign a separate letter.
• Children from the same family travelling together may be listed on one letter.
• Separate letters are recommended for children who will be travelling separately for part of the trip.

Witnessing and signing the consent letter

Any adult may witness the signing of a consent letter; however, it is strongly recommended that a notary public witness sign it.

Original signed letters are best. Border officials may not accept photocopies or digital versions and are more likely to question their authenticity.

Learn more about notarial services abroad.

Limitations of consent letters

A consent letter helps show permission for travel but does not guarantee that a child will not be taken abroad without permission or that the child will be returned to Canada. It is an important precaution, but not a complete safeguard, and it may not prevent abduction.

When leaving Canada, travellers are not systematically required to confirm their departure or show their documents to a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer in the same way that they must when entering the country.

The CBSA collects biographical information on travellers who enter and leave the country.

When leaving Canada, airlines may also ask to see a consent letter when a child is travelling without one or both parents or legal guardians.

Learn more about preventing international child abduction.

Sample consent letter

There are no official guidelines for the content and format of a consent letter, but our template can guide you in writing one.

There are two ways to complete the template:

You can change the letter to fit your specific situation, but you should try to include as much detail as possible.

If you need help

• If a parent refuses to sign a consent letter, try to resolve the issue directly or consider family justice services, such as mediation, where appropriate.