Loading Page...

What is a letter for unaccompanied minor?

Therefore, your child will likely be asked by an immigration officer or airline staff member will ask for a letter of consent if he or she is traveling without both parents. A Child Travel Consent Form is a legal document that allows a minor child to travel without both parents or legal guardians present.



A letter for an unaccompanied minor, often called a Child Travel Consent Form, is a legal document that grants permission for a child to travel without a parent or legal guardian. This letter is crucial for both domestic and especially international travel to prevent issues related to child abduction or unauthorized removal. It should typically include the child’s full name, birth date, and passport details, as well as the contact information and signatures of the non-traveling parents or guardians. If the child is traveling as part of an airline's official Unaccompanied Minor (UM) program, the letter must also specify the "sender" at the departure airport and the "receiver" at the destination, including their government-issued ID details. For international trips, many countries require this letter to be notarized to prove its authenticity. Having this documentation ready ensures that border control officers and airline staff can verify that the child has the legal right to travel, making the transition through security and immigration much smoother.

People Also Ask

What is a Child Travel Consent form? A Child Travel Consent gives a minor child permission to travel without their parents or legal guardians. Use this form when your child needs to travel alone or with another adult, who is not their legal guardian (e.g., a grandparent, friend, or teacher).

MORE DETAILS

Some airlines permit this for kids as young as 12. When a child has reached this minimum age for traveling alone without unaccompanied-minor procedures, the airline does not require evidence of parental permission to travel alone. If the child has a passport, he or she can even travel internationally.

MORE DETAILS

If your child is traveling unaccompanied or with only one parent, you'll need:
  • The child's birth certificate.
  • Notarized travel authorization from both parents.


MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Write out the details: Anyone younger than 17 flying alone on an international flight must have a signed note from a parent or guardian giving permission, destination and length of stay.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Check-in and required documents Children traveling alone can't check in online or at the kiosk. 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.

MORE DETAILS