| Are these your parents? | | | | someone authorized to commission oaths. Including |
| It is a sad fact, but due to custody disputes and | | | | the passport number and details is very important, as |
| human trafficking, children are sometimes taken out | | | | the officials can compare the child to the picture on |
| of the country in situations where both parents do | | | | the passport to ensure consent was provide for the |
| not consent. | | | | correct child. If you are traveling with your child, but |
| Will your child be traveling internationally without both | | | | are not the primary custody holder ensure the letter |
| parents? If so, it is your responsibility to ensure that | | | | from the other parent is clear that they have primary |
| clear permission from both parents is on hand when | | | | custody. |
| your child arrives at the airport, or reaches Customs. | | | | In the event of children travelling without either |
| The most common situations occur when one parent | | | | parent (such as friends, grandparents etc) you need |
| is traveling with one or more of their children, while | | | | to ensure that the letter has all the contents |
| their spouse stays at home, or the custodial parent | | | | mentioned above, as well as the details of the |
| of a divorced household is traveling with their children. | | | | relationship to the guardian traveling with your |
| In both of these situations a letter of permission | | | | children. BOTH parents need to sign such a letter, |
| from the other parent needs to be on hand. The | | | | again with a witness. Some lawyers will also |
| letter should indicate the full details of the child: full | | | | recommend attaching a passport photo of the child |
| name, date of birth, place of birth, passport number | | | | to the letter, to help verify the identity of the child. |
| and passport issuance details (date/location). The | | | | Letters of parental permission should be kept with |
| letter needs to give all the same details for the | | | | the child's passport, and ready for inspection at any |
| parent that will be traveling with the children, as well | | | | time. Remember, officials that are asking questions |
| as the full name, contact information and custodial | | | | about your child are doing so to protect them! |
| status for the parent that is providing consent. You | | | | For more information, consult a legal professional. If |
| should include the dates and locations of the travel, | | | | you are traveling to a country that you are not |
| so that officials are sure you know where your child | | | | familiar with, always check the entry requirements by |
| is. | | | | contacting their embassy/consulate in your home |
| The letter and consenting parent's signature should | | | | country. |
| be witnessed, preferably by a Notary Public or | | | | |