A father and his daughters hold hands walking through an airport. The father is wheeling a carry-on sized suitcase with his left hand and holding the older daughter's hand with his right. The older daughter is holding the youngest's hand.

3 Required Documents When One Parent Travels With the Kids

Last Updated: February 20, 2025

Written by 

Kyle Adam

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Reviewed by 

Ngaire King

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Fact checked by 

Rebecca Koehn

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Key Takeaways:

  • Child Travel Consent forms are required when minors travel without all their parents or guardians.
  • Everyone requires a passport to travel outside the United States — including minors.
  • It can be helpful to have a document that proves your relationship with your child when traveling.

In a recent survey from the Family Travel Association, 76% of respondents said they plan to travel internationally with their children in the next two years.
It makes sense why over three-quarters of parents have trips planned. Traveling with kids is a rewarding experience. You bond, create lifelong memories, and explore the world together.
However, traveling with kids requires additional documents. This is especially true when only one parent travels with their child, as a Child Travel Consent form is required. Forgetting this form and other vital documents can make a trip a logistical nightmare and cause unnecessary stress.
Let’s take a closer look at three pieces of documentation you’ll need to avoid travel headaches and focus on creating lasting memories.
A father standing close to his two young daughters, holding child travel consent forms. The father is wearing glasses and has a beard. The daughters are wearing knit hats and winter coats.
When one parent travels with their child, having a signed Child Travel Consent form from the other parent is extremely important — specifically for international trips. Without it, you may face delays or be refused entry or exit into a country.
Many countries have security measures at ports of entry to prevent international parental child abduction. One measure is customs officers or airline agents asking for a signed Child Travel Consent when a minor travels without one or both legal guardians.
A consent letter demonstrates that children have permission to travel abroad from every parent or guardian who is not accompanying them on the trip. In other words, it’s a safeguard that demonstrates a child is not being abducted.

What about if one parent has sole custody?

If you have sole child custody, the other parent may not need to sign the Child Travel Consent. In this case, you should travel with a copy of your court custody documentation.

In addition, if a child has a deceased parent, it’s recommended to travel with a copy of the deceased parent’s death certificate.

Minors need a Child Travel Consent form any time they travel without all their legal guardians present, including when they travel:
  • With only one parent or legal guardian
  • With another adult (e.g., a relative, family friend, etc.)
  • With an organization or group (e.g., school, sports team, etc.)
  • Alone
According to the U.S. government, a consent form for international travel should preferably be in English and notarized. Notarization decreases the chance of travel authorities questioning your consent form’s validity. With LawDepot’s Online Notary, you can connect with a notary through your computer or device and notarize your Child Travel Consent letter from home.

Check with the U.S. embassy of your foreign destination before traveling for more information regarding Child Travel Consent forms. Also, learn more about your destination’s travel requirements on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.

Is your child's trip international or domestic?

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Passports

A father is holding his daughter on his lap. Both the child and parent are holding their passports.
Everyone, regardless of age, requires a passport to travel outside the United States. So, plan ahead and have your and your child’s passports before you head to the airport.
A passport is your child's primary form of identification while out of the country and provides official proof of United States citizenship.
The Bureau of Consular Affairs can assist you in finding the nearest acceptance facilitywhere you can submit your U.S. passport application. Acceptance facilities include post offices, clerks of court, public libraries, and other local government offices.
However, there are different requirements for applying for a passport depending on your child’s age:

Minors under 16

For children under 16 years old, applying for a passport requires two parents or guardians to apply in person using Form DS-11. If one parent cannot attend in person, they can use Form DS-3053 to give their consent.
When applying, you must provide your child's Social Security Number (SSN) or a formal statement declaring they don't have an SSN.
Also, you must show proof of your child’s U.S. citizenship when applying for the passport. You can do this by providing one of the following documents belonging to your child:
The provided document needs to be an original or certified physical copy. Digital copies are not acceptable. A passport costs $135 for children under 16 years old and is valid for five years.

Minors aged 16 to 17

Minors aged 16 or 17 need to apply for a passport in person using Form DS-11. A passport for a minor aged 16 or 17 costs $165 and is valid for 10 years.
As a parent, you don't need to be present when your 16 or 17-year-old child applies for a passport. However, you need to provide proof that you consent to it.
If you aren't present when they apply, you can provide evidence of your consent through a signed note accompanied by a copy of your I.D. or by paying for the passport via a cheque or bank order with your name on it.

Proof of parent-child relationship

A close-up view of a birth certificate.
Keeping children safe is the top priority when traveling. So, don’t take it personally if an airline employee or border protection officer asks you to prove you are your child’s parent or guardian.
Bringing proof of a parent-child relationship is particularly important if you and your child don't share the same last name. By having appropriate documentation, you avoid the complications that can come along with that when passing through security or crossing borders.
If you get asked for proof, you need a document proving your relationship with your child when traveling. For many families, the most convenient documentation to bring is usually a photocopy of a child’s birth certificate.
However, besides a birth certificate, you could bring a variety of other documents, such as:
  • Adoption documents
  • Marriage certificate
  • Court order
  • Certificates of name change
Bringing the child's identification (ID) with you is also a good idea. Even though the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) doesn't require children under 18 years old to provide ID for domestic flights, some individual airlines do. It's best to take a ‘better safe than sorry’ approach.
Children over 15 years old might be able to use a school-issued ID or library card. However, a government-issued ID or birth certificate is your safest bet.

Documents for domestic flights with children

When a child travels without one or both parents within the United States, the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) documentation requirements are more relaxed compared to international trips.
Having the right documents can still help prevent any unexpected issues at the airport or during travel. Here’s what you need to know:

Documentation

Requirement

Child Travel Consent

A Child Travel Consent is recommended but not necessarily required for domestic flights in which a child is traveling with only one parent.


It’s possible that an airline or TSA could ask for verification when a child is not accompanied by both parents. Having a notarized consent letter can help avoid any delays or complications.

Identification

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) , minors under 18 are not required to present identification when flying with an adult within the United States.


Instead, the TSA accepts identification from the adult traveling with the minor. The TSA has guidelines for acceptable identification at a TSA checkpoint.


Important: Beginning May 7, 2025, anyone 18 years and older who flies domestically needs a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification.

Proof of parent-child relationship

Like with international flights, having proof of your parent-child relationship can be helpful , particularly if you and your child do not share the same last name. This precaution can prevent additional questioning when traveling.


Acceptable documents to prove your relationship include a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or adoption papers.

Domestic flights with children under two

Because children under two years old can fly within the U.S. for free, an airline might require you to show proof of your child's age when you're checking in. A birth certificate or other state-issued ID is acceptable for traveling within the United States.
If you're flying with a baby less than two weeks old, you might need a note from your doctor saying the baby is healthy enough to fly. It's a good idea to call the airline ahead of time to confirm whether this is necessary.
Similarly, some airlines, such as United Airlines, require a doctor’s note if you’re an expecting mother over 36 weeks pregnant.

What about international land and sea travel?

A notarized Child Travel Consent form from the absent parent is necessary when one parent travels with their child across a land border into Mexico or Canada or enters a foreign country at a sea port of entry.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), cruise lines require a notarized Child Travel Consent form if a child is sailing with only one parent. Similarly, the Canadian government strongly recommends parents have a notarized consent form to enter Canada with their child when the other legal guardian is not traveling with them.
Like with international flights, having proof of your parent-child relationship can be helpful, particularly if you and your child do not share the same last name.

Passport cards

At land border crossings and sea ports of entry, parents may not need a traditional passport “book” for themselves or their children.
A passport card is a wallet-sized alternative to a traditional passport that allows re-entry into the United States at land border crossings and sea ports of entry from Canada, Mexico, some Caribbean countries, and Bermuda. However, it cannot be used for international air travel. You can also use it as an ID when flying within the United States.
If your child doesn't have a passport book or card, you can apply for one in person using Form DS-11. If you already have a passport book or card, you may apply for or renew your passport card by mail using Form DS-82.