You’ll want to double-check entry requirements before booking your tickets.
Traveling solo with a child internationally can be a thrilling adventure, full of memories and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. However, with careful planning and preparation, you can avoid ending up in a sticky, unforgettable situation for all the wrong reasons. From obtaining the required travel documents to understanding destination requirements for minors traveling without both parents, as a solo parent or guardian, you may have a few extra steps to take before you’re whisked away on vacation.
The Makings of a Travel Horror Story
Social media is an excellent source for many things, including travel inspiration and real-time reviews of destinations and experiences. Every once in a while, I come across something that sends me into full-on research mode. In a post, which has garnered over 2.2 million views, a mother shares a video with the caption, “POV: American Airlines tells a single mom that you can’t fly with your kid without a notarized letter after they said a passport and birth certificate is enough.”
@shylifestyletv @American Airlines tells a Single Mom that you can’t fly with YOUR KID without a notarized letter when they said a passport & Birth Certificate is enough #singlemom #traveltiktok #MomsofTikTok #blackmomsoftiktok #kidsoftiktok #americanairlines ♬ original sound – Marcel W.
An overwhelming majority of parents in the comment section stated that they have never had nor been asked for such documentation when traveling with their kids, either internationally or domestically. I contacted American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines to inquire about any policy that may be in place for this type of travel situation. I did not receive a response, which prompted me to utilize the chat feature to ask a representative regarding travel readiness. In each chat, I asked the following question:
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“Hello. I am traveling internationally with my daughter. We have her passport and birth certificate. Do I need to obtain a notarized letter from her father to grant permission to travel?”
It’s understandable why commenters and the original poster may have been confused. In all three conversations, I was assured that a passport was the only documentation needed to travel solo with a child internationally. I also received the same response from two flight attendants. However, other commenters have advised parents to err on the side of caution and have the notarized letter just in case because while airlines may not require it, some countries do. Here are some of countries requirements:
Travel in Canada: If neither parent accompanies the child, we recommend carrying a consent letter signed by the non-accompanying parent, regardless of the parent’s marital status (single, married, common-law, separated, divorced, or never married).
Travel in Hungary: If a minor travels abroad, we suggest the minor or his fellow passenger carry a declaration of consent from the parents (or, if the minor travels with one parent only, from the other parent), in which they allow their child to travel and stay abroad.
Travel in Mexico: Foreign minors (under 18 years of age) traveling to Mexico alone or with a third party of legal age as tourists or with a short stay for study purposes (up to 180 days) DO REQUIRE authorization or a letter of consent from their parents or guardians.
Parents with sole custody should travel with a copy of the custody agreement.
How to Prepare Your Letter of Consent
When planning a trip, you can search the country you and your child will visit to see all the necessary travel documents. Ports of entry use letters of consent in addition to passports to prevent things like international child abduction. These serve as another layer of security for the child and other parents/guardians. The letters of consent are straightforward, and USA.gov provides the following guidance:
The letter of consent, preferably in English and notarized, from the other parent (if the child is traveling with one custodial parent) or signed by both parents (if the child is traveling with a guardian or alone) should say: “I acknowledge that my child is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission.”
We have a letter of consent when I travel with my nieces and nephews. We add more detail by including the names of my nieces and nephews, my relationship with them, the dates and cities of travel, and a copy of photo IDs for their parents and myself. We also added a line that allows me to make any necessary decisions in an emergency (my adventurous nephew has a real penchant for doing extreme activities like zip lining and water sports when he goes on vacation with me).
Letters can be notarized by a notary public or with your banking institution.