Do You Need Permission to Travel With Your Child?

Traveling solo with your child can be empowering—but it definitely comes with a few extra things to consider. One of them? Whether you need permission to travel with your child.

In our case, my husband and I are happily married. We share parenting responsibilities and always make decisions about our kids together. But because he’s an airline pilot, he travels constantly for work and prefers to stay home when he’s off. I, on the other hand, love to travel—and I want to make sure our children see the world.

So even though I’m usually the one boarding the plane with our kids while he stays behind, he’s fully supportive. That being said, I still carry formal permission from him when we travel—especially for international trips.

Let’s talk about when a child travel consent form is necessary, what it needs to say, and how we personally handle it as a family.

When Do You Need a Travel Consent Form?

Any time a child is traveling with only one parent or with another adult (like a grandparent or family friend), it’s a good idea to have a signed travel consent letter—especially for international trips. In some cases, it’s legally required.

There are lots of reasons a child might travel without one or both parents: divorce, separation, foster care, family trips, or even just having a partner who can’t make the trip. In my case, my husband and I are happily married, and I travel alone with our kids because of his work schedule—but I still carry the proper documentation just in case.

This post focuses on that exact scenario: traveling without any custody complications but still staying prepared. If your situation involves divorce, shared custody, or other legal considerations, check your custody agreement or consult with a family lawyer to understand exactly what’s required.

Also, just a note—I’m a U.S. citizen, so everything here is based on U.S. regulations. Other countries may have different rules or documentation requirements.

Domestic Travel in the U.S.

There’s no federal law that says a parent traveling within the U.S. needs a permission letter from the other parent.

That said, TSA or airline staff can ask for one at any time—especially if your last name differs from your child’s, or if you’re traveling with someone else’s child. It’s not common, but it’s possible. And if you don’t have it, it could lead to delays.

My advice: It doesn’t hurt to have one. It’s a simple way to show you have full permission to travel alone with your child if anyone asks.

International Travel

This is where things get serious.

When traveling internationally with children, many countries require a notarized letter of consent from the non-traveling parent—even if both parents have full rights and there’s no custody dispute.

This letter is meant to prevent child abduction and human trafficking. Border agents in some countries might ask for it during entry, and if you don’t have it, you could be denied entry altogether.

The tricky part? Not all countries list this requirement clearly on their government websites. You can check the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website to see what travel documents your destination country requires, but I always bring one—just in case.

What Should a Child Travel Consent Letter Include?

There are tons of templates online (we used a free one from Rocket Lawyer), but the most important things to include are:

• The child’s full name and date of birth
  
• The non-traveling parent’s name and contact info
  
• A statement giving permission to travel (include dates and destinations, or general travel approval if you travel often)
  
• Passport numbers, if required
  
• The traveling parent’s full name
  
• A notarized signature from the non-traveling parent
  

Here’s what our letter looks like:

We chose to do a blanket statement that gives me permission to travel alone with our kids for an entire year, domestically and internationally. That way I don’t have to ask for a new one every time a good flight deal pops up.

How to Get the Letter Signed

1. Fill out the consent letter online or by hand
   
2. Print it (if necessary)
   
3. Take it to a notary with the non-traveling parent
   
4. Get it signed and notarized
   
5. Carry a copy with you whenever you travel
   

I also keep a digital backup on my phone just in case.

Do You Need One If You Have Sole Custody?

If you have full legal custody or you’re a widowed parent, you usually don’t need a letter of consent. But it’s a good idea to carry documents that prove your custody status, such as:

• A custody agreement
  
• A court order
  
• The other parent’s death certificate (if applicable)

Final Thoughts: Better Safe Than Sorry

It might feel unnecessary if both parents are on the same page—but having a travel consent letter is a small step that can prevent big problems.

If you’re planning to travel solo with your child, take the time to get this done before your trip. You may never be asked for it, but if you are, you’ll be incredibly relieved that you have it.

Key takeaway: Whether you’re traveling across the country or across the world, having formal permission from the other parent gives you peace of mind—and it shows you’re doing everything you can to travel safely and responsibly with your kids.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Helpful Travel Guides for Solo Parents

• 17 Tips for Traveling to Disney World Alone With Toddlers
• Best Ways to Travel Without Car Seats With Kids
• How to Handle Airport Security Alone With Toddlers