The Basics of Travel Consent Letters
If you are planning a trip for your child and realize you might need a travel consent letter, you may be down to the wire and looking for an expert help before they leave! In this blog we will outline what you need to know about travel consent letters.
When do I need a travel consent letter?
The Government of Canada strongly recommends that Canadian children carry a consent letter if they are traveling abroad alone, with only one parent/guardian, with friends or relatives or with a group. In BC, a child is defined as anyone under the age of 19.
To ease any other worries you may have about proper documentation for your child if they are traveling internationally, you may wish to get in contact with the embassy or consulate of the destination country to determine any other requirements.
What needs to be included in a travel consent letter?
In order to prepare a consent letter, the following information is usually required:
- Your name, address, phone number
- Name and date of birth of your child
- Country or countries your child will be travelling to
- Name of the accompanying adults (if applicable)
- Date of travel
The Government of Canada provides a helpful template for a travel consent letter if you have need.
Does a travel consent letter need to be notarized?
There are no legal requirements to notarize a travel consent letter, but it is highly recommended. If there are any concerns once a child crosses a border, having a notarized letter in hand for a border officer is an added safeguard.
Who can notarize a travel consent letter?
Any qualified notary can notarize a travel consent letter. The notary will examine the letter, confirm that you as the signers are who you say you are, and make sure that you understand what you are signing.
It’s important to note that if the child is traveling with one parent, the travel consent letter must be signed by the other parent. If the child is traveling with a relative or another group, both parents must sign the letter.
How We Can Help
Morris Notary is available to notarize these letters from our central location in downtown Vancouver or through our same-day mobile notary services. If you have any remaining questions or would like to schedule your letter to be notarized, contact our Downtown Vancouver Notary today to set up an appointment.
