Can you travel internationally with a child that is not yours?

Carry documents for traveling with minor children. If you are escorting a minor child without the parents, have a letter from both parents indicating that you have permission to travel with the minor. If the child is accompanied by only one parent, the parent should have a note from the child's other parent.



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What Do I Need to Travel with Someone Else's Child? Children traveling with grandparents, cousins, other relatives, or school groups will need to have a signed document, such as a Child Travel Consent, allowing them to travel without a parent or legal guardian.

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Children traveling outside the U.S. Children under 18 may need a Letter of Consent to travel internationally without both parents.

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U.S. citizen children traveling abroad You may also need a letter of permission from the other parent for your child to travel. If your child travels alone, depending on the country, they may be required to present a notarized letter from both parents or their legal guardian.

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A child travel consent form allows a minor to travel alone or with another person or group. It is written by one or both parents and can be used for domestic or international travel.

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A Child Travel Consent letter is a legal document that gives permission for minors to travel without their parents or legal guardian. If a child is traveling with an adult who is not their legal guardian, both the parents need to sign the consent letter.

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A child travel consent form allows a minor to travel alone or with another person or group. It is written by one or both parents and can be used for domestic or international travel.

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The letter should say I acknowledge that my son/daughter is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission. If one parent has sole custody of the child, a copy of the custody document can take the place of the other parent's letter.

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It is not illegal for a grandparent to transport a grandchild without a letter of permission, but the letter could be helpful in those rare cases of emergencies or if for some reason you must deal with law enforcement officials. Ideally, the letter should be signed by both parents.

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You'll need to fill out an unaccompanied minor form and any necessary Customs and Immigration documents for the day of departure. This form must remain with your child during their journey. At check-in, parents / guardians will also need to provide: A birth certificate or passport as proof of the child's age.

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Planning your trip
  • Infants on lap. Children under two can sit on a parent's lap during flights to any destination.
  • Infant seats. Alternatively, infants can have their own seat if you bring an approved car seat.
  • All other kids. Children older than two will need a ticket and their own seat on the plane.


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The fact is, even though it's rarely asked for, you still need to bring clear documentation that authorizes you to travel with a minor unless both parents are traveling with the child. If you're leaving the country, yes, you need permission via documents that have been signed and notarized by guardians and/or parents.

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The document will include the full name of the non-travelling parent(s) or legal guardian and their relationship to the child. The full name and relationship of the person who is travelling with the child should also be included.

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The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says that “the seating of children close by their parents or guardians should be the aim of airline seat allocation procedures for family groups and large parties of children.”

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A minor travel consent form is a legal document, signed by a child's parents and/or legal guardians, giving permission for the child to travel with another adult. Any time a child travels abroad without both parents and/or legal guardians, they need to have this written permission.

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Most U.S. airlines will permit children who have reached their fifth birthday to travel unaccompanied. Kids ages 5 through 11 who are flying alone must usually travel pursuant to special “unaccompanied minor” procedures. On some airlines, these procedures are required for unaccompanied children as old as 14.

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Regulations dictate that babies must be removed from carriers like the Ergobaby or Baby Bjorn during take off and landing. If your child is big enough to do so (around 4 years and 40 lbs), you can have them sit buckled on the airplane seat.

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Although children who have not reached their second birthday are permitted to travel as lap children, the FAA strongly discourages this practice and recommends that you secure your child in an approved CRS in their own seat for the entire flight.

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