When Canadian children travel without all of their parents or legal guardians, whether for a hockey tournament, a school trip, or summer holidays abroad, border officials may ask for proof that the trip is authorized. In Canada, the gold standard is a consent letter signed by every parent or guardian who is not travelling with the child. The travel consent letter isn’t complicated, but getting it right can prevent stressful delays at the airport or land border.

What Is a Consent Letter for Children Travelling Abroad

A child travel consent letter confirms that a child has permission to travel outside Canada from every parent or guardian who is not accompanying them. Canadian officials, airlines and cruise lines, and foreign immigration authorities may ask to see it. While not legally required in Canada, it is strongly recommended because it often speeds up processing and reduces the risk of being refused entry or exit abroad.

Use a consent letter for any cross-border travel when the child (anyone under the age of majority) is:

• travelling alone
• travelling with only one parent or guardian
• travelling with relatives or friends such as grandparents, an aunt or uncle, or a teammate’s family
• travelling with a group such as a school, sports team, band, or church

This includes day trips and split itineraries. For example, if both parents fly to the United States but only one parent flies home with the child, a consent letter is still recommended.

Who Should Sign the Consent Letter?

The consent letter must be signed by every parent or legal guardian who is not accompanying the child on the trip. This includes parents who are married, in a common-law relationship, separated, or divorced, provided they have custody or guardianship rights.

Court orders or agreements may outline who must or need not sign, and it is wise to carry a copy of any relevant order when travelling. If the child is in temporary care, a representative from the appropriate child welfare agency should sign the letter.

When one parent is deceased, the surviving parent should sign, and the child’s guardian on the trip should carry a copy of the death certificate for the deceased parent as proof. If a parent has been denied access rights by court order, their consent is not required, but the court order should be carried. Similarly, if a court order authorizes travel to a foreign country without the other parent’s consent, it should accompany the child.

Parents should also be aware that airlines have their own rules for unaccompanied minors, including age limits, escort services, and forms that may need to be completed in addition to a consent letter for children travelling abroad.

How Do I Write a Consent Letter for a Child Travelling Abroad?

There is no single mandated format, but officials recommend including:

• The child’s full name and date of birth
• The names and contact information for each parent or guardian
• The name and relationship of the accompanying adult or adults
• The destination or destinations, dates, and a brief itinerary with flight numbers if known

It’s also a good idea to have someone witness the signing of the consent letter.

You can use one letter signed by both non-travelling parents, or separate letters. If the Canadian children traveling together are siblings, they can be listed on one letter, but separate letters are better if their return travel differs. If travel is frequent or the dates are not fixed, speak with a lawyer about wording, but letters with specific dates are generally preferred by border officials.

Bring the original signed letter, as scans and photocopies are less persuasive and may prompt extra questions.

In addition to the child’s valid passport and the consent letter, officials recommend carrying:

• A long-form birth certificate to show the parent-child relationship, since parents are not listed on Canadian passports
• A copy of custody, guardianship, or travel-related court orders or agreements if they exist

If the child or one or both parents are a dual citizen, check the Travel Advice and Advisories and consult the destination’s embassy or consulate. Some countries impose special entry and exit requirements on their minor citizens, and additional permits or a legally certified letter in a specific language may be required.

Do Consent Letters Have to Be Notarized?

Short answer: no, but it is strongly recommended.

There is no Canadian legal requirement to notarize a child travel consent form. Any adult (age of majority) can witness the signing. However, both the Government of Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency recommend using a notary public to witness and sign the letter. Officials are less likely to question a notarized document, which can reduce delays.

If you are already abroad, a Canadian consular officer can witness signatures, though service fees apply.

It’s important to note that in Alberta, both notaries public and commissioners for oaths can witness signatures. However, a notarized document is recommended. They are more widely recognized by foreign authorities, so notarization is the safer choice, even though it is not legally mandatory for children travelling abroad.

What if a Co-Parent Refuses to Sign a Consent Letter for Children Travelling Abroad

If you share custody or guardianship, both parents or legal guardians usually need to agree and give parental consent on major decisions like international travel. Try to resolve the issue through communication. Explain the trip details, provide the itinerary, and reassure the co-parent about the child’s safety and return. If they still refuse without a valid reason, you can apply to the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta for an order permitting travel. The court will consider the child’s best interests, the purpose and length of the trip, and whether the travel interferes with the existing parenting schedule.

If the matter is urgent, such as for a family emergency, it’s possible to request an interim or emergency order allowing travel for Canadian children on short notice. Our family lawyers can help prepare the necessary documentation and evidence for court.

In some cases, the refusal may stem from genuine concerns about safety or return plans. Providing full details about the child’s travel plans, including proof of return flights, may resolve these worries without court involvement.

If you face a situation like this, seek legal advice as early as possible. Our office can help by reviewing your child custody arrangements, advising on your options, and, as both family lawyers and notaries public, providing a sample consent letter or preparing and notarizing the documents you need to travel legally and confidently.

Border Ready Checklist

If you are with children travelling abroad, as the accompanying person, make sure you bring the following documents:

• Child’s passport
• Original consent letter signed by every absent parent or guardian, preferably notarized
• Long-form birth certificate that shows parents’ names
• Custody or guardianship orders, separation agreements, or death certificate (if applicable)
• Travel itinerary and contact information
• Any destination-specific documents for Canadian children required by the embassy or travel advisory

Travel can be one of the most rewarding experiences in a child’s life. It exposes them to new cultures, languages, and perspectives, builds independence and confidence, and helps them understand the world beyond their own community. Whether it’s a school exchange, a family vacation, or visiting relatives abroad, these experiences can create lifelong memories and valuable learning opportunities.

If you would like help drafting a consent letter that fits your family’s circumstances or organizing notarization in Alberta, reach out to our office. In addition to providing legal advice, we are also notaries public, so we can prepare, review, and notarize your consent letter for children travelling abroad to ensure it meets the requirements for international travel.

Our team can help you complete the process efficiently and with peace of mind, so you can focus on giving your child a safe and enriching travel experience.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter and should not be considered legal or other professional advice. To get detailed information regarding your specific circumstances, please discuss your situation with a lawyer or other professional. Refer to our Legal Notice  for more details.