When children travel with only one of their parents, many countries, airlines and tour operators require you to draw up a travel consent letter, i.e. written consent for the trip. The purpose is to check that both legal guardians have given their permission and to reduce the risk of unlawful abductions or misunderstandings at check-in and border controls.
Why is it required when one parent is travelling?
The most common way children are abducted is when it is done by one of the parents. When a child travels with only one parent, authorities therefore want to make sure the child has permission from both parents.
Every year, tens of thousands of children are abducted worldwide. Legal complications between different countries mean that abductions can, in some cases, continue for many years before they can be resolved. In some situations, an abduction by the other parent may never be resolved.
By checking that permission from both parents exists when a child travels with only one of them, the aim is therefore to minimise these risks.
How to reduce the risk of problems at the border
Bring the child’s own travel documents and keep the consent letter easily accessible from check-in onwards, as checks often take place before security screening or at passport control. Also bear in mind that authorities in many countries may carry out spot checks to confirm that travel permission from both parents is in place. The safest approach is to assume consent may be requested and to check this well in advance.
If the other legal guardian cannot or will not sign
If you have sole custody and the other legal guardian will not sign, you need to check your national laws and regulations. Travelling with your child without the other parent’s approval may be a criminal offence. If you are unsure, it is best to contact the relevant authority in your country or in the destination country.