A child travel consent form is a legal document that gives permission for a minor (typically under 18 years of age) to travel, either domestically or internationally, without the accompaniment of one or both parents or legal guardians. In Australia, this form is especially important for ensuring the safety and legal protection of the child during travel and for complying with immigration and airline requirements.
Notarising a Consent for Children to Travel letter is highly advisable, particularly for international travel. Notarisation serves as an official verification process for international purposes, ensuring that the signatures on the document are genuine and that the consent is willingly provided by the parents or legal guardians. This added layer of authentication helps prevent any doubts or disputes regarding the legitimacy of the consent, which can be crucial when crossing international borders.
Some countries have a specific form that must be completed and/or documents that must be presented and/or legal procedures that must be complied with to permit a child who is not accompanied by one or both of their parents to travel through the relevant country’s borders. You should always check for any requirements with the Embassy/Consulate of the relevant countries which the child(ren) will travel through. If just a general child travel consent is required then you may download our Child Travel Consent Form Template. It includes all necessary information, such as the child’s details, travel itinerary, and consent from both parents or guardians.
Fill in all required sections accurately. Ensure that all information matches official documents like passports.
Both parents/legal guardians or only one if the other parent/legal guardian is travelling with child(ren) should sign the form in front of a Notary Public.
Present valid identification (e.g., passport, driver’s licence) to the notary or JP to verify your identity before signing.
The notary will stamp and sign the document, indicating that they have witnessed the signatures and verified the identities of the signatories.
Make several copies of the notarised consent form. Provide one to the accompanying adult, keep one with the child’s travel documents, and retain another for your records.
You may wish to also obtain a notarised true copy of the child(ren)’s birth certificate which will prove to immigration officers who the parents of the child are and therefore that the signatory(ies) of the travel consent form are in fact the child(ren)’s parent(s). An additional supporting document can also include the current and valid passport copy of the parent(s) who signed the travel consent form which provides an extra layer of surety to immigration officers that the signature of the parent(s) who signed the form matches the signature on their passport and their bio-data details match the information in the form.
For more detailed guidance, Australian parents and guardians can consult.
Ensuring that you have a properly completed child travel consent form is a very important step in planning any trip involving a minor. Taking the time to prepare this document carefully can help ensure a safe and hassle-free travel experience for both the child and the accompanying adults.
Bahal Singh Gill, Principal of BSG Lawyers, is an experienced Notary Public fluent in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Bahasa, Indonesian, Chinese, and English. If you need assistance with a notarised letter of consent for children to travel, don't hesitate to call (08) 8342 1388.