Is a Travel Consent Letter for Children Legally Required in Canada?

International travel can bring about many questions. One of particular importance is whether a travel consent letter is legally required for Canadian minors traveling without one or both parents or guardians. 

Here, we’ll delve into the intricacies of travel consent letters for minors traveling outside of Canada. By exploring official regulations, we hope to provide clarity and guidance to parents or guardians — ensuring their children can embark on a smooth journey. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, school trip, or any other travel involving minors, this blog is the one for you.

Is a Travel Consent Letter Legally Required?

A travel consent letter serves as tangible proof that both parents or guardians consent to a child’s travel, preventing any misunderstandings or complications. Essentially, a travel consent letter streamlines the travel process and provides peace of mind for everyone.

While a travel consent letter is not legally required, the Government of Canada strongly recommends drafting one up. Immigration authorities in Canada and abroad will often ask to see a consent letter when a minor is traveling with only one legal guardian or alone. 

Also, while a letter isn’t legally required in Canada, it may be legally required when entering or leaving other countries. Failure to produce a letter upon request can result in significant delays or outright refusal to enter or exit a given country. This can result in significant distress, missed flights, and missed events.

Drafting a Travel Consent Letter: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here, we’ll go over the information your letter should contain. You can take the following steps to efficiently draft and notarize your document! Start drafting your travel consent letter for free, and get a perfectly formatted letter in minutes. 

• Provide Your Information: To begin, provide your general information. This includes your full name, address, and contact information. Quick and easy!

• Your Child’s Information: For this section, you’ll include your child’s personal information. It’s best to have access to their passport and birth certificate for this section. However, if these documents aren’t available, we can find a workaround.

• Provide the Accompanying Person’s / Group’s Information: Provide the accompanying party’s information. Once again, having this person’s passport information is important. If your child is traveling alone, simply leave this section blank!

• Contact Information: Here, you’ll outline the destination, travel dates, accommodation address(es), and how one can contact your child during the trip. 

• Signings and Notarization: The final step is to collect the signature of the person giving consent, and to have it witnessed or notarized by a legal authority. This adds credibility and authenticity to the letter, increasing the chances of it being accepted. We’re happy to help you out with the notarization part, online, in under 7 minutes!

There you go! Now you know what’s required to complete and notarize your travel consent letter. Check out our free, plug-and-play travel consent letter template to draft your letter. Fill out a few fields, and have a freshly formatted letter sent to your email.

Bonus Tips for a Travel Consent Letter for Children

There are always little tips and tricks we can offer to make sure your letter is as great as it can be, so everything goes smoothly. Here are a few points to keep in mind:

• Provide Consent Details: Clearly state the extent of the consent given, including any limitations or special instructions for the accompanying adult.

• Review and Revise: Before finalizing the letter, review it carefully to ensure accuracy and completeness. Make any necessary revisions to clarify information or address potential concerns.

• Keep Copies Secure: Maintain copies of the drafted and notarized travel consent letter in a secure location for future reference. Consider storing digital copies as well for easy access during travel.

• Confirm Receipt: Once the accompanying adult receives the original notarized letter, request confirmation to ensure they have the necessary travel documentation.

• Plan Ahead: Allow sufficient time for drafting, notarizing, and distributing the travel consent letter before the scheduled travel date to avoid last-minute complications.

Draft and Notarize a Travel Consent Letter Today

While a travel consent letter is not legally required, it is strongly recommended to ensure a successful, hassle-free trip. Having it notarized will boost its credibility, and decrease the chances of immigration officials questioning its validity. 

NotaryPro offers a free, legally recognized travel consent letter template that you can use to get started. We can also notarize it online, from the comfort of your home or office. Online notarization is quick, simple, and legally recognized in Canada and globally. Our notarized documents have a 99.5% acceptance rate and are accepted by federal, provincial government, and international authorities.

We’re always waiting in the wings, ready to provide unwavering support whenever you need it! If you have any questions, get in touch with us today!