Your child needs a Child Travel Consent when they're traveling without all their parents or legal guardians. No matter their age, everyone requires a passport to travel outside the United States.

To fly internationally, children and infants must have their own valid passport; being listed on a parent’s passport is no longer an accepted practice globally. In 2026, additional digital authorizations, like the ETIAS for entry into Europe, are required for minors from visa-exempt countries (such as the U.S.). If a child is traveling with only one parent or a guardian, many countries—and several airlines—require a notarized letter of consent from the non-traveling parent to prevent international parental child abduction. You may also need to carry the child's original birth certificate to prove your relationship, especially if you have different last names. Always check the specific entry requirements for your destination, as some nations (like South Africa or Brazil) have extremely strict documentation rules for minors that can lead to boarding denials if not followed precisely.