Minor Travel Consent Form A signed, notarized letter for a minor to travel from both parents is required if a child travels internationally alone or with an adult who is not their legal guardian. The other parent must also sign the consent form if they are traveling with just one parent.

For a minor (under 18) traveling internationally without parents in 2026, three primary documents are essential. First is a valid passport (and any required visas for the destination). Second, and most importantly, is a notarized Letter of Consent signed by both parents or legal guardians. This letter should explicitly state the child's name, the travel dates, the destination, and the name of the adult accompanying them (or specify if they are traveling alone). This is used by border officers to prevent international child abduction. Third, the minor should carry a copy of their birth certificate and, if applicable, any legal custody documents or death certificates for a parent. If the child is flying alone, the airline will also require an Unaccompanied Minor (UM) form, which identifies the specific "sender" and "receiver" adults at each airport. Failure to have a notarized consent letter is the most common reason minors are denied boarding at international terminals.