Child Travel Consent Template
A child travel consent letter shows border officers, airlines and foreign authorities that the accompanying adult has permission to travel with a minor. Our free Canadian template follows the Government of Canada’s recommended consent letter content and covers solo travel, travel with one parent, and travel with other adults such as grandparents, teachers or organized groups.
| FULL NAME | Sarah M. Thompson |
| RELATIONSHIP | Mother |
| ADDRESS | 45 Maple Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0B1 |
| PHONE | +1 (613) 555-0123 |
| sarah.thompson@email.com |
| FULL NAME | David R. Thompson |
| RELATIONSHIP | Father |
| ADDRESS | 45 Maple Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0B1 |
| PHONE | +1 (613) 555-0456 |
| david.thompson@email.com |
| CHILD'S FULL NAME | Emily A. Thompson |
| DATE OF BIRTH | March 15, 2016 |
| GENDER | Female |
| CANADIAN PASSPORT NO. | AB123456 |
| PROVINCIAL HEALTH CARD | 1234-567-890 |
| MEDICAL CONDITIONS / ALLERGIES | Peanut allergy — carries EpiPen |
| CURRENT MEDICATIONS | None |
| TRAVEL TYPE | International |
| DESTINATION(S) | London, United Kingdom |
| DEPARTURE DATE | July 1, 2026 |
| RETURN DATE | July 15, 2026 |
| MODE OF TRAVEL | Air |
| AIRLINE / CARRIER | Air Canada, Flight AC 848 |
| FULL NAME | Margaret L. Chen |
| RELATIONSHIP TO CHILD | Grandmother |
| PHONE | +1 (416) 555-0789 |
| PASSPORT NO. | CD987654 |
| NAME | Dr. James Wilson |
| RELATIONSHIP | Family Physician |
| PHONE | +1 (613) 555-0999 |
1. GRANT OF CONSENT. I/We, the undersigned parent(s)/legal guardian(s) of Emily A. Thompson, born on March 15, 2016, hereby grant permission for our child to travel internationally to London, United Kingdom from July 1, 2026 to July 15, 2026, accompanied by Margaret L. Chen (Grandmother). Travel will be via Air Canada, Flight AC 848.
2. ACCOMPANYING ADULT. The child named above shall travel under the care and supervision of Margaret L. Chen. Contact phone: +1 (416) 555-0789. Passport number: CD987654. The accompanying adult is authorized to make day-to-day decisions regarding the child during the travel period, including accommodation, meals, and transportation arrangements.
3. MEDICAL INFORMATION. The following medical information is provided for attending medical professionals:
• Provincial Health Card: 1234-567-890
• Medical Conditions / Allergies: Peanut allergy — carries EpiPen
• Current Medications: None
4. MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION. In the event of a medical emergency, the accompanying adult is authorized to consent to any necessary medical treatment, hospitalization, or surgical procedures for the child when the parent(s)/guardian(s) cannot be reached in a timely manner. This authorization extends to any licensed physician, surgeon, dentist, hospital, or medical facility. In Canada, this authorization is consistent with the Health Care Consent Act, 1996 (ON) and equivalent provincial health care consent legislation.
5. INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS. The parent(s)/guardian(s) acknowledge that:
• The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) may request this letter at the border.
• The child carries a valid Canadian passport (number: AB123456).
• A copy of the child's birth certificate or proof of Canadian citizenship may be required.
• The destination country may have its own entry requirements for minors travelling without both parents.
• Notarization of this consent letter is strongly recommended for international travel.
6. SCOPE AND DURATION. This consent is valid only for the travel described above and expires on July 15, 2026. This letter does not transfer legal custody or guardianship of the child to the accompanying adult. The accompanying adult must carry this form during travel and present it to border and immigration authorities upon request.
NOTARIZATION — STRONGLY RECOMMENDED FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
A notarized copy of this consent letter is recommended by the IRCC and CBSA for minors travelling internationally with one parent or without parents. Contact a Notary Public or Commissioner of Oaths in your province.
Notary / Commissioner Signature and Stamp
Commission / Appointment Expiry
What Is a Child Travel Consent?
A child travel consent is a signed letter in which a parent or legal guardian authorizes their child to travel without them, whether domestically within Canada or internationally. It is not a substitute for a passport or visa, but it is widely expected by Canadian and foreign immigration authorities, airline staff, and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) as evidence that the accompanying adult is not abducting the child or assisting in an unauthorized removal.
The Government of Canada publishes a recommended consent letter format, and CBSA officers may ask to see it when a child is entering or leaving Canada without both parents. Many foreign jurisdictions, including the United States, Mexico and several European and Caribbean countries, also expect to see a notarized consent letter for a child travelling with only one parent, with another adult, or alone. The letter should be carried together with the child’s passport and any relevant court orders.
Canadian child travel consents operate against the background of the Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3 (2nd Supp.) and the Children’s Law Reform Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12, which govern decision-making responsibility and mobility rights after separation. Canada is also a party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, and an unauthorized cross-border move can amount to wrongful removal. A properly prepared consent letter reduces the risk of delays at the border and protects all parties.
What's Covered in This Template
Our travel consent template follows the Government of Canada’s recommended content.
Child’s Information
Full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, passport number and citizenship of the child.
Parent or Guardian Details
Full legal names, addresses and contact numbers of the parent(s) or guardian(s) giving consent.
Accompanying Adult
Name, relationship, passport number and contact details of the adult travelling with the child.
Destination
Country or countries being visited, including transit points and specific addresses if known.
Travel Dates
Departure date from Canada, return date and any intermediate travel within the authorization period.
Purpose of Travel
Reason for the trip, such as vacation, family visit, school exchange, sporting or cultural event.
Emergency Contacts
Phone numbers and emails for the parent(s) or guardian(s) who can be reached during the trip.
Custody Acknowledgement
Statement confirming custody/decision-making responsibility and any existing court orders.
Notarization Block
Space for a notary public to witness the signature, as strongly recommended by the Government of Canada.
Signatures and Date
Space for each parent or guardian to sign and date the consent, with printed names.
How to Create a Child Travel Consent
Follow these steps to prepare a consent letter that travels smoothly across borders.
- 1
Confirm Decision-Making Authority
Identify every parent or guardian with decision-making responsibility under the Divorce Act or CLRA who must sign.
- 2
Gather Travel Details
Collect passport information, exact travel dates, destinations and contact details for the accompanying adult.
- 3
Complete the Letter
Fill in the child’s information, travel details, emergency contacts and any relevant custody orders.
- 4
Notarize the Signature
Sign the letter in front of a Canadian notary public or commissioner for oaths to improve acceptance at foreign borders.
- 5
Carry Copies and Supporting Documents
Send the child with the original letter, copies of parents’ passports and any relevant custody orders.
Legal Considerations
Several Canadian and international legal frameworks inform the content of a travel consent letter.
This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified lawyer in your province for advice specific to your situation.
Reviewed for Canadian law
Government of Canada and CBSA Guidance
The Government of Canada publishes a recommended consent letter format and expressly advises that children travelling without both parents or guardians carry one. The Canada Border Services Agency may question an adult who cannot produce such a letter, and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) routinely refers cases to CBSA where documents are incomplete.
Decision-Making Responsibility
After separation, travel decisions fall under decision-making responsibility under the Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3 (2nd Supp.) or the Children’s Law Reform Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12. A parent with sole decision-making responsibility can usually consent alone, but mobility clauses in court orders or agreements may limit travel, especially international travel. All parents or guardians with a right to consent should sign.
International Child Abduction
Canada is a party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, implemented in Ontario through the Children’s Law Reform Act. Taking a child across an international border without proper consent can amount to wrongful removal, triggering an application for return in the destination country. A clear consent letter helps avoid allegations of abduction.
Notarization and Foreign Requirements
Canadian law does not technically require the letter to be notarized, but the Government of Canada strongly recommends it and many foreign authorities require it. Notaries public appointed under statutes such as Ontario’s Notaries Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. N.6 can witness the signature and apply a seal, which is widely recognised abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
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