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.

A 2026 travel letter, often called a Child Travel Consent Form, is a legal document used when a minor travels without both legal guardians. It must clearly state the child’s full name, date of birth, and passport/ID number. It must also include the full name and contact information of the accompanying adult(s) and the specific dates and destinations of the trip. Crucially, the letter must contain a clear statement of consent: "I/We [Parent Names] grant permission for [Child Name] to travel with [Adult Name] to [Country/State]." For international travel in 2026, it is highly recommended (and often required) that the letter be notarized to prove the authenticity of the signatures. It should also include a brief section providing emergency medical consent, authorizing the accompanying adult to make healthcare decisions if the parents cannot be reached. Keeping a copy of the parents' ID attached to the letter is a 2026 best practice for smooth border crossings.