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Travelling abroad with children

Introduction, travelling with a child under 18, vaccination and health, more information.

This page gives general information about travelling abroad with children. Check the latest travel advice before travelling abroad .

Before you travel abroad with your children, there are certain things that you should consider. Check that your passports are in date and find out if you need to get any travel vaccinations before you go. There may be other things to consider about the travel destination.

A child must have their own passport, and cannot be included on their parent’s passport. A child’s passport is valid for 5 years. You should ensure in advance of travel that all passports are in date with at least 6 months to their expiry date. See our page on passports for children for further information.

If you are travelling with someone else’s child or with a child with a different surname, you may have to explain the relationship between you and the child to immigration officers in the country you are travelling to. If you are travelling alone with your child, you may have to provide evidence that you have the other parent’s consent to travel. If a child is removed from the person who has the legal right to custody without that person's consent or agreement, it is considered child abduction .

If you are travelling to Ireland with a child under 18, you can find details of the required documents from the Department of Justice . If you are travelling with a child to another EU country, you can find further details of the required documents on Europa.eu .

If you normally live in Ireland and are travelling abroad, you should check whether you need vaccinations to travel to the country or countries you plan to visit.

If you plan to travel within the EU, you should get a European Health Insurance Card for each person travelling before you leave Ireland as this will give you emergency treatment in another EU country while abroad.

Sun exposure

Children (especially infants) can be very sensitive to the sun and sunburn is a common cause of discomfort. Heatstroke can occur because of very hot temperatures, extreme physical exertion or sunburn. Seek advice from your pharmacy or doctor before you travel about using high factor lotions, creams and sunblock and remember to take sensible precautions and keep children covered up.

Food and water

Trying out new food is part of the experience while travelling abroad but taking sensible precautions can lessen the risk of illness or infection. It is also important that everyone particularly young children, drink plenty of bottled water if travelling to a hot country.

Encourage your children to stay away from all animals while abroad and never attempt to bring an animal into Ireland on your return. The risk of rabies infection may be quite small but you should seek medical advice immediately in the event of any bites or scratches, especially those from dogs, cats or monkeys, while abroad.

The Department of Foreign Affairs provides travel advice for those planning to travel abroad on its website. The HSE provides information on its website on travel vaccines .

Related documents

  • Irish citizenship and passports for children born abroad Outlines the rules about Irish citizenship for children who were born abroad and have an Irish parent. It also covers the documents you need when applying for an Irish passport for children born abroad. 1746.7496
  • Travelling abroad Travelling abroad, get information before you go and while you are there. 1646.5731
  • Travelling abroad and vaccinations Compulsory vaccinations are required to enter some countries. Information for people normally living in Ireland on vaccinations if going abroad. 1620.5133

If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).

You can also contact your local Citizens Information Centre .

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child travel consent form ireland

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Renew or replace passport for a child

How to apply online, guardian consent for children's passport applications, what it costs, how long it takes, lost, stolen and damaged passports, other ways to apply, apply online now, frequently asked questions about child passport applications.

A child under the age of 18 must have their own passport to travel. All Irish citizens can renew their passport from anywhere in the world using  Passport Online .

Passport Online is the fastest way to apply for your or your child's passport or passport card, from anywhere in the world. This secure and convenient service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Applications will be processed within the current processing times . If you need to submit documents, the processing time will only start when we receive them.

Please note: Passports for children (under 18 years of age) are issued with a validity of 5 years.

There is separate guidance if you are getting first passport for a child .

When to apply

You can apply for a new passport for your child if their passport is due to expire in the next 6 months.

If your child’s last passport was issued more than 15 years ago you must apply on their behalf as a first-time child applicant .

You can also apply for a passport card along with a passport book when you renew online.

To renew your child’s passport using  Passport Online  you will need:

  • a digital photo  that meets the photo guidelines
  • credit or debit card
  • an email address
  • access to a printer
  • their current passport ( see here if it was lost or stolen )

Video guide to guardianship and consent

Documents you need.

The online application will tell you the documents you need to submit after applying online.

Read more on the documents you need to submit after applying to renew a child’s passport.

How to meet the photo guidelines

Guardianship and consent.

As part of the online application, you will be asked to print an Identity and Consent form.

The consent of all the child’s guardians must be confirmed on this form and the child’s identity must be verified.

All guardians need to sign the consent part of the form in the presence of a  suitable witness . The form will tell you what witness is required.

Children can no longer be included on their parents’ or guardians' passports. This is intended to make international travel more secure for children.

For a passport to issue to a child under 18, the consent of all the child’s guardians must be received by the Passport Service.

Guardianship is the collection of rights and duties that a parent or non-parent has in respect of a child. For example, a guardian has the right to make important decisions, including the decision to give consent for a passport to issue to the child. Guardianship should not be confused with custody which involves the day to day care of the child.

Guardians can give their consent on a child’s passport application in the following way:

  • At the end of the online renewal process, you will be provided with access to a Child Passport Identity and Consent Form.
  • You should print this form.
  • At least one of the guardians must then accompany the child to an appropriate witness for signature.
  • This witness must know the child, confirm the child's identity and witness the signature of the guardian or guardians who have accompanied the child.
  • The second guardian can, if necessary, ask another appropriate witness to witness his/her consent separately

Common guardianship scenarios

We have outlined some common guardianship scenarios in the section below and included an overview of the additional documents that are required for certain categories of application in order to establish guardianship.

Please select the category of guardianship below that most closely matches your family situation for further guidance.

If your child has more than two legal guardians, or if your own family circumstances fall outside of the categories outlined below, please contact the Passport Service for guidance on your child’s application.

Important notes:

  • In cases where there are two guardians and one guardian is unwilling or unavailable to give their consent for the child’s passport to be issued, a court order dispensing with that parent’s consent must be submitted with the child’s passport application
  • If renewing a child’s passport that has more than 6 months validity remaining, the most recent passport book must be returned with the passport application (unless the passport has been lost or stolen).
  • If your child has changed name (for example, following parent’s marriage) and their new name needs to be noted on their passport, further documents will be required. Further documents may also be required if you wish to have an observation noted on your child’s passport. Please see here for further details.
  • Guardian consent must be witnessed in the country you reside in.
  • Guardian consent is not required if the child is married.

Section 14(1) of the Passports Act 2008 makes provision for the consent of a child’s guardian(s) before a passport can issue. Under Irish law, the rights of parents to guardianship are set down in Section 6 of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964. Furthermore, on 18th January 2016, certain provisions of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 came into effect that made a number of changes to the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964.

Please note: The summary provided is for information purposes only. If required, please obtain your own legal advice.

One guardian scenarios:

Sole legal guardian (including sole adoption).

A mother is automatically a guardian of her own child.

However, she may not be the sole legal guardian in the following circumstances:

  • The mother and father are married
  • Joint guardianship has been obtained through a court order or statutory declaration
  • The child’s father has continuously cohabited with the child’s mother for 12 consecutive months after 18th January 2016, including at least three months with the mother and child following the child’s birth (as set out in the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015)

Where a sole adopter has adopted a child, guardianship is acquired when the adoption order is made.

Additional documents

Where a person is the sole legal guardian, the following supporting documents must be submitted to the Passport Service along with the passport application. This applies to both first time applications and renewals:

  • A sole guardian affidavit form (AFF1) , completed in the presence of a solicitor/commissioner for oaths.
  • The child’s original birth certificate, signed and notarised as set out in the affidavit.

One of the guardians of the child is deceased

  • If one of a child’s two guardians is deceased and no other guardians have been appointed, the living guardian is the sole guardian.

A person can be appointed as a testamentary guardian through a will. This refers to a situation where a guardian, through a will, appoints another guardian in the event of their death.

Where a person is the sole legal guardian following the death of another guardian, the following supporting documents must be submitted to the Passport Service along with the passport application. This applies to both first time applications and renewals:

  • The original death certificate of the deceased guardian.
  • A completed and witnessed sole guardian affidavit form  Sole Guardian Affidavit form (AFF1) , completed in the presence of a solicitor/commissioner for oaths.

If a person is a testamentary guardian and the sole legal guardian the following is required in addition:

  • The original or a certified copy of the will and testament.

Note: If a testamentary guardian has been appointed in addition to a surviving guardian, both guardians must provide consent for the child’s passport application. A sole guardian affidavit is not required in such a case.

Court order dispensing with consent

In cases where there are two guardians and one guardian is unwilling or unavailable to give their consent for the child’s passport to be issued, a court order dispensing with that parent’s consent must be submitted with the child’s passport application.

This court order should direct the Passport Service to dispense with the consent of the unwilling/unavailable guardian and allow the Passport Service to issue passport facilities for the child.

Where a court order has dispensed with the consent of one or more guardian(s), the following supporting documents must be submitted to the Passport Service along with the passport application: This applies to both first time applications and renewals:

  • The original court order
  • The child’s original birth certificate

For further information on court orders:

  • If living in Dublin: contact the  Family Law Division of the District Court.
  • If living outside Dublin: contact your  local District Court .

Two guardian scenarios:

Joint guardianship through marriage, adoption or through children and family relationships act 2015.

  • Guardianship can be acquired through marriage in certain circumstances. If such guardians separate or divorce, they retain their guardianship rights.
  • In cases of adoption where two persons have jointly adopted a child, guardianship is acquired when the adoption order is made. If such guardians separate or divorce, they retain their guardianship rights.
  • Certain categories of persons can gain guardianship rights through the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015. Under this Act, a father automatically becomes a guardian of his child if he has continuously cohabited with the child’s mother for 12 consecutive months, including at least three months with the mother and child following the child’s birth. When calculating this cohabitation period, only periods of cohabitation after 18th January 2016 can be considered (regardless of whether the child was born before or after this date). This is the date that the relevant section of the governing legislation commenced (Children and Family Relationships Act 2015).

Note: Certain provisions of Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 act have not yet commenced.

  • In cases where guardianship has been acquired through marriage or adoption, there are no additional supporting documents required for passport renewals.
  • The child’s original birth certificate (or re-issued birth certificate in the case of adoption) must be submitted for first time applications.
  • If guardianship has been acquired through the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, there are no additional supporting documents required to establish guardianship. The child’s original birth certificate (or re-issued birth certificate in the case of adoption) must be submitted for first time applications.

Joint guardianship by statutory declaration

A child’s father can, by agreement with the child’s mother, become a guardian by statutory declaration.

Both must complete a statutory declaration for joint guardianship in the presence of a solicitor, peace commissioner or a commissioner for oaths.

If guardianship has been acquired through a statutory declaration, the following supporting documents must be submitted to the Passport Service along with the passport application. This applies to both first time applications and renewals:

  • The original statutory declaration

Joint guardianship by court order or will/testament

Under certain circumstances, a father can apply to the local District Court for a court order appointing him as a guardian of the child.

Other persons (for example, grandparents, step parents, civil partners or co-habiting partners) can be appointed guardians by court order in certain circumstances.

If guardianship has been acquired through a court order, the following supporting documents must be submitted to the Passport Service along with the passport application: This applies to both first time applications and renewals:

Where a person is appointed as a testamentary guardian following the death of another guardian and one or more guardian(s) are still living, the following supporting documents must be submitted to the Passport Service along with the passport application. This applies to both first time applications and renewals:

  • The original death certificate of the deceased guardian
  • The child’s original birth certificate, signed and notarised as set out in the affidavit
  • The original or a certified copy of the will and testament

In cases where there are two guardians and one guardian is unwilling or unavailable to give their consent for their child’s passport to be issued, a court order dispensing with that guardian's consent will be required to proceed with the child’s application.

This court order should direct the Passport Service to dispense with the consent of the unwilling/unavailable parent and allow the Passport Service to issue passport facilities for the child.

Joint guardianship through guardianship law outside the jurisdiction

Guardianship law outside the jurisdiction.

In certain circumstances, the Passport Service can recognise guardianship rights acquired in other jurisdictions for the purposes of issuing a passport for a child.

Some general information on guardianship rights in other jurisdictions is provided below.  Please obtain legal advice if you require information on the recognition of guardianship rights acquired in a specific country.

Child born in Northern Ireland or Great Britain:

If the child’s father is named on the birth certificate and the birth was jointly registered by both the child’s mother and father, the father is deemed to have parental responsibility of his child, irrespective of the marital status of the parents. In this context, parental responsibility confers guardianship.

This was passed into law on the following dates:

  • Northern Ireland: 15th April 2002
  • England and Wales: 1st December 2003
  • Scotland: 4th May 2006

Before this legislation, only the mother was considered an automatic guardian. If the child was born in one of the above jurisdictions before the above dates and if no other guardians have been appointed, the mother is the sole legal guardian of the child.

If guardianship has been acquired through the above provisions, there are no additional supporting documents required to establish guardianship. The child’s original birth certificate must be submitted for first time applications.

Note: In Northern Ireland and Great Britain, if one guardian is unwilling or unavailable to give their consent for their child’s passport to be issued, a  specific issues order , which dispenses with that parental responsibility, must be obtained by the relevant court before we can proceed with the child’s application.

This summary provided is for information purposes only. Please obtain legal advice if you require information on the recognition of guardianship rights acquired in a specific country.

Verify consent and identity

At least one of the guardians must accompany the child to an appropriate witness for completion of the Identity section of the form.

See our  guide to getting your application witnessed  for more information.

The cost of your passport depends on the way you apply for it and the type you choose, for example standard or large.

When you apply using  Passport Online :

  • a standard 5-year passport for a child is €20
  • a large 66-page 5-year passport for a child is €50 

There is an additional €5 postal fee for each child application to cover the cost of returning documents to the applicant. The postal fee is €15 if you live outside Ireland.

Read the full list of passport fees

Passport turnaround times

Check the current turnaround times  for the latest information.

Passport tracking service

You can check the status of your online application using the  passport tracking service .

Urgent renewals

If you need your passport renewed urgently, we have an in-person Urgent Appointment Service for passport renewal.

This is available at our Mount St, Dublin office, our Cork office and also our office in London.

Read more on the Urgent Appointment Service for passport renewal.

If your child’s passport is  lost or stolen , make an application for a new passport immediately using  Passport Online . This is the fastest way to report their passport as lost or stolen and ensures that no one else can use it for travel.

You will need:

  • a digital photo that meets the photo guidelines

The online application will tell you of any other documents you may need to submit.

If your child’s passport is lost, stolen or damaged while you are on holidays, they may need an emergency travel document to return home. You should contact your nearest  Irish Embassy or Consulate .

Damaged passport

If your child’s passport has been damaged, you will need to return the damaged passport when you are making an application for a replacement. If a passport is damaged, do not travel on it.

Passport Online  is the fastest way to get your passport. If you are living in Ireland, Northern Ireland or Great Britain and do not wish to apply online, you can apply using a paper passport form .

In Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain, paper applications are submitted through the  Post Passport  service.

My child got their current passport when they were under 18. They are now over 18. Can they renew their passport using the ‘Passport Online’?

There is more than 6 months validity remaining on my child’s passport. can i renew their passport using the passport online.

Yes. If your child's current passport is valid for more than 6 months, you must send it with application. This passport will be cancelled when the new passport issues.

The online application process will tell you where to send the passport.

I wish to renew my passport online. I also wish to apply for a first time passport for my child. Should we both send our applications through Post Passport?

Passport Online is the quickest method for applying for a first time passport and to renew a passport. You can make both applications online.

Do I need to return my child’s current passport to the Passport Service?

Only if it is valid for more than 6 months.

Do I need access to a printer when renewing my child’s passport using Passport Online?

Yes. You will need access to a printer.

At the end of the online process, a Child Passport Identity and Consent Form will be generated.

You will need to print this form. You will complete this form and have it witnessed by an appropriate witness.

We will also send a link to this form via email. If you are unable to print it immediately, you will be able to access the form for up to 5 days.

For security reasons you will only be able to access this form 5 times during the 5-day window.

If you need access after the 5-day window, please contact us for help.

Do I need to have my child’s identity verified if I use Passport Online?

Yes, at the end of the online process, a Child Passport Identity and Consent Form will be generated.

You will need to print this form and have your child’s identity verified by an appropriate witness.

In Ireland, a member of An Garda Siochana has to witness all first time applications. For renewals, it is no longer necessary to have a member of An Garda Síochána verify your child’s identity.

If you live Northern Ireland or overseas, we have expanded the list of appropriate witnesses . They can verify the identity of your child, and witness the consent of guardians for all renewals. Gardaí are included on this list. Your child must be known to the appropriate witness who is confirming their identity. It is the responsibility of the guardian(s) accompany the child to the witness for signature.

We will also send you a link to this form via email so if you are unable to print it immediately, you will be able to access the form for up to 5 days.

Who should accompany my child when having their identity verified?

‘Guardian A’ who completed the online application and declaration must accompany the child when their identity is being verified. This guardian will be identified as ‘Guardian A’ on the Child Passport Identity and Consent Form.

You (Guardian A) must use the same witness to verify the child’s identity and witness your consent. The second guardian ‘Guardian B’ can use the same witness, or a different witness, to give their consent.

How do I give consent to the issuance of a passport for my child if I use Passport Online?

At the end of the online process, a Child Passport Identity and Consent Form will be generated. You will need to print this form and have the consent of each guardian/guardians witnessed by an  appropriate witness .

We will also send you a link to this form via email, you will be able to access the form for up to 5 days. Note: For security reasons you can only access this form 5 times during the 5-day window.

A guide to guardianship as it relates to passport applications can be found above.

My child is living with me and their other guardian is residing elsewhere. How can we give consent?

After the online application and payment has been made, a Child Passport Identity and Consent Form is generated.

This form can also be accessed through the confirmation email that is sent to the email address provided.

The form can be accessed a total of 5 times. The second guardian can print a second copy of the Child Passport Identity and Consent Form. They can have their consent witnessed separately.

What happens if there is an issue with my child’s online application?

We will email the person who made the application online (Guardian A) with any issues. Please check your spam or junk folders for emails.

If we cannot process your child’s online application, we will cancel it. We will send a letter to explain this to the address of the child.

We will refund you any money paid. This refund will be via the original payment method.

After I submit my child’s application online, how long will it take to receive their new passport?

The processing of the application will not begin until all supporting documents are received. Please see information on the  current turnaround times .

Note: Processing times do not include time for postage.

I received a clarification email and sent my reply. How much longer will it take to process my child’s application?

If the issue has been resolved it will take approx. 5-10 working days to reprocess. This does not include the time it takes to post your child’s passport.

Do I need to send my child’s previous passport after their new passport has been received?

No. If you have already received your child’s new passport, you do not need to return their previous passport.

Read more on how to  contact the Passport Service  or see more guidance on making your application on our  information hub .

Related content

Track your passport using your 11-digit application number, how to apply for a passport guide, frequently asked questions, passport processing times, citizenship/foreign birth registration.

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Minor Travel Consent Form

Select 'domestic' if the child in question is travelling within Ireland. Select 'international' if the child in question is travelling outside of Irish territory.

CONSENT FORM DOMESTIC TRAVEL

I, ________

declare that I give my permission for my child ________ , born on ________ in ________ , with the following passport number: ________ , to travel with their other parent, ________ of

carrying a passport issued in ________ , with the following passport number: ________ .

My child, ________ , will travel from ________ to ________ on ________ and return on ________ .

Specific Medical Needs/Allergies :

My child, ________ , has the following special medical needs:

Contact Information :

If there are any questions or concerns regarding ________ 's travel, I am contactable at the following:

mobile number : ________

email address : ________

______________________

Date: ________

HOW TO CUSTOMISE THE TEMPLATE

Answer the question, then click on "Next".

The document is written according to your responses - clauses are added or removed, paragraphs are customised, words are changed, etc.

At the end, you will immediately receive the document in Word and PDF formats. You can then open the Word document to modify it and reuse it however you wish.

Total Law

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Irish Travel Documents for Children

If you’re planning to bring children with you on your trip to Ireland, there are certain documents you may want to take with you to show Irish immigration officers.

For more information about travelling to Ireland, including the rules and regulations you must follow, and specific travel advice for your personal circumstances, reach out to one of our legal advisers for advice. Call us on +353 (0) 61 518 025 , or contact us  online  today.

Request a call back from our immigration experts

  • Overview of Irish Travel Documents for Children

When travelling with children to Ireland, it’s important to consider some extra guidelines you may wish to follow.

These may include bringing additional documents with you, or being prepared to answer additional questions that immigration officers may ask you.

These guidelines are in place to uphold Ireland’s child safeguarding policies.

Note that a child here is defined as someone who is under the age of 18 who is not, and has never been, married.

Note also that certain airlines and carriers may have their own individual policies regarding children that are independent of the Irish Immigration Service’s.

Page Contents

Guidelines for unaccompanied minors, travelling with a minor who is not your child or has a different surname, groups travelling with minors, what else do i need to do to prepare to enter ireland, why might i be refused entry into ireland, how can total law help.

If anyone under the age of 18 is travelling to Ireland on their own without being accompanied by an adult, it’s recommended that they carry certain documents with them.

These include the following:

  • A signed letter from the child’s parent(s)/guardian containing their contact details and giving consent for travel
  • A copy of a document identifying the parent/guardian, such as a copy of their passport or driving licence
  • Evidence of the parent/guardian relationship with the child, such as a copy of a birth or adoption certificate, or guardianship papers
  • A death certificate, in the event that one or more parents are deceased

In addition, if the unaccompanied minor is not ordinarily resident in Ireland, they should also have the following information:

  • Full address of where they will be staying
  • Full contact details of who they will be staying with

Meeting an Unaccompanied Minor upon Arrival

When the unaccompanied minor arrives in Ireland, an immigration officer may also wish to establish the relationship between the child and any adult meeting the child upon arrival.

In this instance, a similar set of documents may be required as those stated above.

If an adult is travelling with a minor who isn’t their child or who has a different surname, they may be asked by an immigration officer to clarify the relationship between the minor and accompanying adult.

In this instance, it’s advisable that you’re able to provide certain documents to the immigration officer, such as those proving that you’re the parent or legal guardian of the child. These may include the following:

  • The child’s birth certificate or adoption certificate, or guardianship papers showing your relationship with the child
  • A marriage/divorce certificate if you are the child’s parent but have a different surname to the child
  • A death certificate in the case of a deceased parent

If the Minor is Only Travelling with One Parent

In the case that the child is travelling with only one parent, you may also have to provide evidence of the other parent’s consent. This may include the following:

  • A signed letter from the child’s parent(s)/guardian giving their contact details and consent for travel with you
  • A copy of a document identifying the parent/guardian, such as a copy of the picture page of a passport or driving licence

Note that it’s recommended for any minors to present to an immigration officer as part of their family unit or group, and not individually.

Contact us today if you require assistance with your visit to Ireland. Contact Us

There are also specific guidelines for groups travelling with minors, such as school tour groups.

In this instance, it’s recommended that groups consisting of both adults and minors first gather in the immigration hall before presenting themselves to an immigration officer.

The adult group leader should then present themselves to the immigration officer first and be ready to present the following documents:

  • The list of all members in the group
  • A letter of consent for travel with the adult group leader from each minor’s parent(s)/guardian(s), including contact details
  • A copy of a birth or adoption certificate, or guardianship papers showing the parent(s)/guardian(s) relationship with the child
  • A copy of marriage/divorce certificate in the case where the child’s parent has a different surname to the child
  • A copy of the parent/guardian’s passport or state identity document

Each child should also carry their own passport or identity document.

All members of your travel group, whether minors or adults, must also be mindful of the general advice and guidelines for crossing the border into Ireland.

For example, all members of your party must carry a valid passport or travel document if you’re travelling from a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA). All children must carry a separate child’s passport with them, as they will not be allowed to be added to a parent’s passport for travel.

You may also require a visa , a stamp or pre-clearance, depending on the reason for your visit and how long you intend to stay in Ireland for.

In addition, it’s advised that you have the following with you when entering Ireland:

  • Proof that you have requisite funds to support yourself and your dependants while in Ireland
  • Details of your accommodation in Ireland
  • Proof of onward travel, or proof that you’ll return to your home country after your visit ends
  • Proof of commitments or ties to your home country, such as family, work, or other things that will convince an immigration officer that you will leave Ireland after your stay

You must also have proof that you meet the requirements for whichever visa, stamp or pre-clearance you’ve applied for, if this applies to you.

An immigration officer may refuse entry into Ireland to you if they believe any of the following may be true:

  • You’re unable to financially support yourself or your dependants while in Ireland
  • You’re planning to take up work or employment without a valid permit
  • You have been convicted of a criminal offence that carries a penalty of a year’s imprisonment or more
  • You don’t have a valid visa when you’re required to have one
  • You’re subject to a deportation order, an exclusion order or similar
  • You do not have a valid passport
  • You intend to travel to the United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland) and you don’t have permission to do so
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Legal Templates

Home Personal & Family Child Travel Consent

Minor (Child) Travel Consent Form

Use our child travel consent form to prove that a child can travel without their parents or guardians.

child travel consent form

Updated January 4, 2024 Written by Sara Hostelley | Reviewed by Brooke Davis

A minor (child) travel consent form is typically necessary when a child travels domestically or internationally with a relative, family friend, or another adult who isn’t their legal guardian or parent. It grants permission for a minor to travel alone or with someone other than their legal guardian or parent.

The form aims to ensure the child’s safety and well-being by providing evidence of parental or guardian consent for the trip.

What Is a Child Travel Consent Form?

When to use a child travel consent form.

  • What If I'm Divorced or Separated?

What If I Have Sole Custody or Decision-Making Authority?

What if a minor travels without their parents, how to write a child travel consent form, considerations when traveling with children, child travel consent form sample.

A child travel consent form is a legal document providing written permission for a minor to travel without a parent or legal guardian. The form is primarily for when a child travels with a club/group, school, or an adult, like a family friend or relative.

Domestic vs. International Travel

A child travel consent form may allow the child to travel domestically (within the U.S.) or internationally (outside the U.S.).

Countries may have different rules for admitting children traveling without their parents. It’s important to check each country’s travel guidelines before having the child and accompanying person embark on their trip.

It can be beneficial to use it when a child under the age of 18 is traveling:

  • With a group, such as a religious, musical, sports, or school group.
  • With only one guardian or parent (instead of their entire family unit).
  • In the care of a family friend or relative.
  • By themselves.

It’s important to have a minor travel consent form in multiple scenarios. For example, suppose you and your spouse left the country together with your child. If only one parent later returns to the country with their child due to another commitment by the second parent, the parent with the child should have a consent form showing the other parent has agreed to this arrangement.

Child travel consent forms promote children’s safety and prevent international child abduction. They can also prevent a parent from taking a child due to an unfavorable custody dispute.

What If I’m Divorced or Separated?

If you’re divorced or separated, you can review your custody agreement to determine if there are any child travel restrictions or requirements . For example, the custody agreement may limit international travel . It may also demand the traveling parent to provide a certain amount of notice to the other party.

Even if both parents have joint custody, it’s good practice to notify and seek the consent of the parent who won’t be traveling with the child.

If one lawful custodial parent needs to travel with the child, the traveling guardian should obtain written consent from the other custodial parent [1] .

If you have sole decision-making authority or custody of your child, the other parent may still have visitation (access) rights. However, the parent without full custody won’t have to provide a consent letter. Instead, the parent with full custody can carry a copy of the court custody document when they travel alone with the child [2] .

If you’re the sole parent because your spouse is deceased, you can carry a copy of their death certificate. This way, you can show authorities you’re the only parent responsible for your child.

If parents have a child who needs to travel with another relative, family friend, or group, they should both sign a travel consent form.

Similarly, if minors need to travel alone, they should carry a consent form with their parents’ signatures .

Review a summary of how to write a child travel consent form:

Step 1: Provide your child’s basic information, including their name, birthdate, birthplace, passport details, and birth certificate details.

Step 2: Write your information as the parent or guardian, including your address, phone number, and address. Input the information of both parents and guardians, if applicable.

Step 3: Include the name of the person traveling with the child, including their name, relationship to the child, and passport information.

Step 4: Provide the trip details. Clarify the accompanying person, travel destination, travel dates, travel purpose, and address at the destination.

Step 5: Explain if the accompanying person has the right to seek medical attention or make medical decisions for your child. You may complete a separate child medical consent form to be more thorough.

Step 6: Provide an emergency contact person’s information, including their name, phone number, and email. Consider electing a second emergency contact person.

Step 7: Include your child’s medical insurance and health information so the accompanying person can seek medical attention and make informed decisions if you give them the authority.

Here are some considerations when traveling with children:

Check With the Embassy

Check with the U.S. embassy for the country of your child’s destination to determine the travel requirements. Some countries won’t allow children to travel unaccompanied.

If the child travels with one custodial parent or a trusted adult who isn’t a legal guardian, the country may have certain notarization requirements for the travel consent form. Ensure you know all regulations before allowing the child to travel.

Confirm Airlines’s Requirements

For domestic travel, some airlines may have specific requirements for children traveling without both custodial parents. Children may need to present a notarized letter or other documentation to avoid being seen as unaccompanied minors.

Ensure You Bring Supporting Documentation

Traveling with children can be more seamless when you bring adequate supporting documentation.

When writing your child’s travel consent form, remember that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires a passport for any U.S. citizen re-entering the country by air. The CBP highly recommends children traveling without their parents or legal guardians carry a copy of their birth certificate to help ease travel through customs [3] .

If you can’t provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate, you can have them carry a driver’s license if they’re of driving age.

Parents with multiple children traveling must create separate minor travel consent forms and obtain all necessary documentation for each child.

child travel consent form

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  • USA.gov. International travel documents for children. https://www.usa.gov/travel-documents-children
  • Department of Homeland Security. Travel Overseas. https://www.dhs.gov/travel-overseas
  • U.S. Customs and Border Control. Documents You Will Need Before Your Trip. https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/your-trip
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Please be advised that this page has moved and this content is no longer being updated. Up-to-date information is now available for first time child passport applications  at ireland.ie/dfa/passports/how-to-apply-for-a-passport/first-child-passport  and for passport renewal applications for children  at  ireland.ie/dfa/passports/how-to-apply-for-a-passport/renew-child-passport .

Passports for children and guardian consent

Children can no longer be included on their parents’ or guardians' passports. this is intended to make international travel more secure for children..

For a passport to issue to a child under 18, the consent of all the child’s guardians must be received by the Passport Service.

Guardianship is the collection of rights and duties that a parent or non-parent has in respect of a child. For example, a guardian has the right to make important decisions, including the decision to give consent for a passport to issue to the child. Guardianship should not be confused with custody which involves the day to day care of the child.

Guardians can give their consent on a child’s passport application in the following ways:

For online renewal applications

  • At the end of the online renewal process, you will be provided with access to a Child Passport Identity and Consent Form.
  • You should print this form.
  • At least one of the guardians must then accompany the child to an appropriate witness for signature.
  • This witness must know the child, confirm the child's identity and witness the signature of the guardian or guardians who have accompanied the child.
  • The second guardian can, if necessary, ask another appropriate witness to witness his/her consent separately.

For paper applications

  • Complete section 7 of the passport application form in the presence of a suitable witness.
  • This witness must know the child, confirm the child's identity and witness the signature of the guardian(s).

A list of appropriate witnesses is available  here

For some categories of application, you may have to submit additional supporting documents. You will need to return these supporting documents with the passport application form or Identity and consent form.

We have outlined some common guardianship scenarios in the section below and included an overview of the additional documents that are required for certain categories of application in order to establish guardianship. Please select the category of guardianship below that most closely matches your family situation for further guidance.

If your child has more than two legal guardians, or if your own family circumstances fall outside of the categories outlined below, please contact the Passport Service for guidance on your child’s application.

Important notes:

  • In cases where there are two guardians and one guardian is unwilling or unavailable to give their consent for the child’s passport to be issued, a court order dispensing with that parent’s consent must be submitted with the child’s passport application
  • If renewing a child’s passport that has more than 6 months validity remaining, the most recent passport book must be returned with the passport application (unless the passport has been lost or stolen).
  • If your child has changed name (for example, following parent’s marriage) and their new name needs to be noted on their passport, further documents will be required. Further documents may also be required if you wish to have an observation noted on your child’s passport. Please see here for further details.
  • Guardian consent must be witnessed in the country you reside in.
  • Guardian consent is not required if the child is married.

Section 14(1) of the Passports Act 2008 makes provision for the consent of a child’s guardian(s) before a passport can issue. Under Irish law, the rights of parents to guardianship are set down in Section 6 of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964. Furthermore, on 18th January 2016, certain provisions of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 came into effect that made a number of changes to the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964.

Please note:

The summary provided is for information purposes only. If required, please obtain your own legal advice.

ONE GUARDIAN

Sole legal guardian (including sole adoption)

One of the guardians of the child is deceased, court order dispensing with consent.

TWO GUARDIANS

Joint guardianship through marriage, adoption or through Children and Family Relationships Act 2015

Joint guardianship by statutory declaration.

Join guardianship by court order or will/testament

Joint guardianship through guardianship law outside the jurisdiction

A mother is automatically a guardian of her own child. However, she may not be the sole legal guardian in the following circumstances:

1) The mother and father are married 2) Joint guardianship has been obtained through a court order or statutory declaration 3) The child’s father has continuously cohabited with the child’s mother for 12 consecutive months after 18th January 2016, including at least three months with the mother and child following the child’s birth (as set out in the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015)

Where a sole adopter has adopted a child, guardianship is acquired when the adoption order is made.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS: Where a person is the sole legal guardian, the following supporting documents must be submitted to the Passport Service along with the passport application. This applies to both first time applications and renewals:

1) a sole guardian affidavit form (AFF1), completed in the presence of a solicitor/commissioner for oaths 2) the child’s original birth certificate, signed and notarised as set out in the affidavit

•             If one of a child’s two guardians is deceased and no other guardians have been appointed, the living guardian is the sole guardian.

•             A person can be appointed as a testamentary guardian through a will. This refers to a situation where a guardian, through a will, appoints another guardian in the event of their death.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS: Where a person is the sole legal guardian following the death of another guardian, the following supporting documents must be submitted to the Passport Service along with the passport application. This applies to both first time applications and renewals:

1)             the original death certificate of the deceased guardian

2)             a completed and witnessed sole guardian affidavit form  Sole Guardian Affidavit form (AFF1) , completed in the presence of a solicitor/commissioner for oaths,

3)             the child’s original birth certificate, signed and notarised as set out in the affidavit

If a person is a testamentary guardian and the sole legal guardian the following is required in addition:

4)             the original or a certified copy of the will and testament

NOTE: If a testamentary guardian has been appointed  in addition to a surviving guardian , both guardians must provide consent for the child’s passport application. A sole guardian affidavit is not required in such a case.

In cases where there are two guardians and one guardian is unwilling or unavailable to give their consent for the child’s passport to be issued, a court order dispensing with that parent’s consent must be submitted with the child’s passport application.

This court order should direct the Passport Service to dispense with the consent of the unwilling/unavailable guardian and allow the Passport Service to issue passport facilities for the child.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS: Where a court order has dispensed with the consent of one or more guardian(s), the following supporting documents must be submitted to the Passport Service along with the passport application: This applies to both first time applications and renewals: 1) the original court order 2) the child’s original birth certificate

For further information on court orders: If living in Dublin: contact the  Family Law Division of the District Court. If living outside Dublin: contact your  local District Court .

• Guardianship can be acquired through marriage in certain circumstances. If such guardians separate or divorce, they retain their guardianship rights.

• In cases of adoption where two persons have jointly adopted a child, guardianship is acquired when the adoption order is made. If such guardians separate or divorce, they retain their guardianship rights.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS: In cases where guardianship has been acquired through marriage or adoption, there are no additional supporting documents required for passport renewals. The child’s original birth certificate (or re-issued birth certificate in the case of adoption) must be submitted for first time applications.

• Certain categories of persons can gain guardianship rights through the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015. Under this Act, a father automatically becomes a guardian of his child if he has continuously cohabited with the child’s mother for 12 consecutive months, including at least three months with the mother and child following the child’s birth. When calculating this cohabitation period, only periods of cohabitation after 18th January 2016 can be considered (regardless of whether the child was born before or after this date). This is the date that the relevant section of the governing legislation commenced (Children and Family Relationships Act 2015).

NOTE: Certain provisions of Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 act have not yet commenced

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS: If guardianship has been acquired through the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, there are no additional supporting documents required to establish guardianship. The child’s original birth certificate (or re-issued birth certificate in the case of adoption) must be submitted for first time applications.

A child’s father can, by agreement with the child’s mother, become a guardian by statutory declaration. Both must complete a statutory declaration for joint guardianship in the presence of a solicitor, peace commissioner or a commissioner for oaths.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS: If guardianship has been acquired through a statutory declaration, the following supporting documents must be submitted to the Passport Service along with the passport application. This applies to both first time applications and renewals:

1) The original statutory declaration 2) The child’s original birth certificate

Joint guardianship by court order or will/testament

Under certain circumstances, a father can apply to the local District Court for a court order appointing him as a guardian of the child.

Other persons (for example, grandparents, step parents, civil partners or co-habiting partners) can be appointed guardians by court order in certain circumstances.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS: If guardianship has been acquired through a court order, the following supporting documents must be submitted to the Passport Service along with the passport application: This applies to both first time applications and renewals: 1) The original court order 2) The child’s original birth certificate

A person can be appointed as a testamentary guardian through a will. This refers to a situation where a guardian, through a will, appoints another guardian in the event of their death.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS: Where a person is appointed as a testamentary guardian following the death of another guardian and one or more guardian(s) are still living, the following supporting documents must be submitted to the Passport Service along with the passport application. This applies to both first time applications and renewals: 1) the original death certificate of the deceased guardian 2) the child’s original birth certificate, signed and notarised as set out in the affidavit 3) the original or a certified copy of the will and testament

NOTE: In cases where there are two guardians and one guardian is unwilling or unavailable to give their consent for their child’s passport to be issued, a court order dispensing with that guardian's consent will be required to proceed with the child’s application. This court order should direct the Passport Service to dispense with the consent of the unwilling/unavailable parent and allow the Passport Service to issue passport facilities for the child.

Guardianship law outside the jurisdiction

In certain circumstances, the Passport Service can recognise guardianship rights acquired in other jurisdictions for the purposes of issuing a passport for a child.

 Some general information on guardianship rights in other jurisdictions is provided below.  Please obtain legal advice if you require information on the recognition of guardianship rights acquired in a specific country.

Child born in Northern Ireland or Great Britain:

If the child’s father is named on the birth certificate and the birth was jointly registered by both the child’s mother and father, the father is deemed to have parental responsibility of his child, irrespective of the marital status of the parents. In this context, parental responsibility confers guardianship.

This was passed into law on the following dates:

- Northern Ireland: 15 th  April 2002

- England and Wales: 1 st  December 2003

- Scotland: 4 th  May 2006

Before this legislation, only the mother was considered an automatic guardian. If the child was born in one of the above jurisdictions before the above dates and if no other guardians have been appointed, the mother is the sole legal guardian of the child.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS:

If guardianship has been acquired through the above provisions, there are no additional supporting documents required to establish guardianship. The child’s original birth certificate must be submitted for first time applications.

In Northern Ireland and Great Britain, if one guardian is unwilling or unavailable to give their consent for their child’s passport to be issued, a  specific issues order , which dispenses with that parental responsibility, must be obtained by the relevant court before we can proceed with the child’s application.

Please note

The summary provided is for information purposes only. Please obtain legal advice if you require information on the recognition of guardianship rights acquired in a specific country.

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International travel documents for children

See what documents a child needs to travel to or from the U.S. alone or with a parent or relative.

Children traveling to the U.S.

All children, including infants, must have their own travel documents such as a passport or document from a Trusted Traveler Program to enter the U.S. If you travel or are going to travel with a child, consider taking the following documents:

  • If the child is traveling with only one of their custodial parents, they must have a letter of consent, preferably in English and notarized, from the other parent or signed by both parents. The letter should say "I acknowledge that my son/daughter is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission."
  • If one parent has sole custody of the child, a copy of the custody document can take the place of the other parent's letter.
  • Parents who frequently cross the border by land with a minor must always carry a letter of permission from the other parent.

U.S. citizen children traveling abroad

Ports of entry in many countries have security measures to prevent international child abduction . If you are traveling alone with your child, you may be required to present documentation proving you are the parent or legal guardian. You may also need a letter of permission from the other parent for your child to travel. 

If your child travels alone, depending on the country, they may be required to present a notarized letter from both parents or their legal guardian. If a minor is traveling abroad and is not accompanied by both parents or a legal guardian, contact the embassy or consulate of the country you will be visiting and ask about entry and exit requirements for that country.

LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023

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Free Minor Travel Consent Form

Minor choosing travel destination on world map

A minor travel consent form is a legal document, signed by a child's parents and/or legal guardians, giving permission for the child to travel with another adult. Any time a child travels abroad without both parents and/or legal guardians, U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires the child to have this written permission.

This document is particularly important in international travel situations. It can be used to establish guardianship whether the child is traveling abroad with only one parent or with another trusted adult, such as a family member, friend, or educator.

In today's world, where concerns about child safety are paramount-especially when it comes to child abduction, custody disputes, and human trafficking-a minor travel consent form serves as a protective measure. It provides clear, legally binding, written permission that can be verified by immigration officials, airline staff, or travel companies, to make sure that the child's travel is both safe and authorized.

Without this form, travel may be delayed or denied. Domestic and international authorities need to be able confirm the child's guardianship and obtain the necessary permissions before allowing the child to travel onward.

How to Use the Minor Travel Consent Form

The form available below is a comprehensive template, designed to be easily copy/pasted and adapted in a word processor like Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

Given the critical nature of this document, we also provide a downloadable minor travel consent form in PDF format for your convenience.

It's important to note that while this sample form is a valuable starting point, it should be tailored to fit the specific details and circumstances of your child's travel.

Also be advised that this form does not replace a legal power of attorney document that could be used to make critical medical care decisions on behalf of a child.

This form is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that this form remains current with travel and child safety best practices, reflecting our commitment to providing reliable and authoritative travel resources.

Minor Travel Consent Form

To Whom It May Concern:

I/We,                                                                                                                     (Full Name(s) of Custodial and/or Non-Custodial Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s))

am/are the lawful custodial parent(s) and/or non-custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of:

                                                                                           (Full Name of Accompanying Person)

                                                                                           (U.S. or Foreign Passport Number)

                                                                                           Date and Place of Issuance of This Passport)

                                                                                                     ((Name of Foreign Country)

during the period of

                                                                                                     ((Dates of Travel: Departure and Return)

During that period,

                            ((Childs Name)

will be residing with

                            ((Name of Person with Whom the Child will be Residing in Foreign Country)

at the following address:

                            ((Number/street address and apartment number)

                            ((City, State/Province, Country)

                            ((Telephone and fax numbers)

Signature:                             Date:                    (Custodial Parent, and/or Non-Custodial Parent or Legal Guardian)

Full Name:                                                                                           

Signed before me,

                                                                                           , (Full Name of Witness)

this                             at                                                                                            . ((Date) and (Location))

Signature of Witness:                                                                                           

Download: Minor Travel Consent Form

The Legal Implications of Traveling Without a Minor Consent Form

While the minor travel consent form is not a universally required legal document, a child traveling without one can lead to serious complications in many countries. Different nations have their own regulations regarding child travel. Being uninformed or unprepared can quickly lead to distressing situations for both you and your child.

1. International Legal Considerations:

  • Country-Specific Requirements Vary: Each country has its own set of rules regarding minors traveling without their parents. For instance, some countries in Europe may require additional documentation, such as a birth certificate or a parental authorization letter, in addition to the travel consent form. You need to be sure your child and their traveling companion(s) comply with all of the requirements for each country they plan to travel to and through.
  • Risk of Travel Disruption: Without a consent form, minors traveling abroad may face delays or even denied entry at border control checkpoints. This can lead to missed transportation departures and costly changes to your travel itinerary.
  • Embassy and Consulate Involvement: In cases where a minor is detained due to lack of proper documentation, the local embassy or consulate of the child's home country may need to be involved. This can lead to complex legal situations that take significant amounts of tame and/or money to solve.

2. Domestic Legal Implications:

  • Airline and Transportation Policies: Within the United States, airlines and other transportation services have specific policies regarding unaccompanied minors (more on this later). Lack of a consent form, even for domestic travel, can result in the child being denied boarding.
  • Legal Custody Disputes: In cases of separated or divorced parents, traveling without a consent form can raise legal issues related to custody agreements. It's crucial to understand and adhere to the legal requirements stipulated in custody arrangements to avoid legal repercussions.

A minor travel consent form can help you avoid many of these situations. Before traveling, be sure to research the specific travel requirements of the destination country regarding minor travel. In addition to the resources provided on this site, this can also be done through a country's embassy website or by consulting with travel experts like registered passport expediting services .

In complex situations, such as shared custody or special travel circumstances, consulting with a legal expert can provide clarity and ensure compliance with both domestic and international laws.

Minor Travel Consent Form Notary Requirements

We strongly recommend that you have any child travel consent form notarized. This can prevent issues establishing the authority and credibility of your documentation.

It can be challenging to find and secure the services of a notary in person. Thankfully, it is possible to use an online notary service to notarize your minor travel consent form. This can save you serious time and stress.

We recommend using NotaryLive , a fully-secure, online notirization platform with an "Excellent" rating from TrustPilot . NotaryLive is fast, affordable, and fully compliant with state law, so you can be sure your notarized minor travel consent form is both legal and valid.

Unaccompanied Minors

Airlines have general rules about the ages and circumstances where children can fly alone, too. There are also usually additional fees that come with buying a ticket for a minor that will be traveling without an adult. As part of that extra cost, many airlines offer some additional supervisory and support services to be sure the traveling child is safe and comfortable while traveling on their own.

For more, check out our guide to unaccompanied minors traveling internationally . There, you will find details about the considerations, accommodations, and policies that apply to kids traveling internationally without an adult parent or guardian.

More Tips for Parents of Minors Traveling Abroad

Besides proper documentation, there are other ways to help a child have a safe international trip. Any time your child is traveling without you, give yourself peace of mind by taking these proactive steps.

Be Proactive In Shared Custody Situations

Parents who share custody of their children should each carry copies of the legal custody documents. You can also contact the embassy of the country or countries the minor child will be visiting to confirm travel entry requirements. This proactive step can help avoid issues at border crossings and during the child's stay abroad.

A simple notarized statement, such as the one below, should suffince in most cases.

"I, [PARENT NAME] acknowledge that [SPOUSE NAME] is traveling out of the country with my [SON/DAUGHTER] whom we share custody of. This authorization gives [SPOUSE NAME] my full permission to do so.

Use a GPS Tracker to Keep Track of Your Child While Abroad

GPS technology makes it possible to pinpoint a person's exact location, anywhere in the world. If your child is traveling without you, it makes sense to keep a GPS tracker on their person so that you know where they are. You can also use additional trackers to help keep tabs on your child's luggage or other valuables.

  • Apple AirTags are small, inexpensive GPS tags that can be purchased individually or in packs of 4 . They use bluetooth connectivity and the vast number of Apple users across the globe to create a reliable GPS tracking network. Using your iPhone or Apple device, you can ping any AirTag that is linked to your AppleID and locate it quickly. Thanks to its small size, an AirTag can easily be tucked into luggage, sewn into a child's clothing, or stashed in a travel wallet.
  • JioBit is an all-in-one GPS tracking system specifically designed for tracking your child. While it is more expensive than Apple AirTags, JioBit is a durable and secure alternative-particularly useful for those who don't already have an Apple device.

Use a Parent-Controlled Debit Card

Traveling costs add up. Everything from food, transportation, lodging, and fun comes with a price. If your child is traveling without you, you want to be sure they have the money they need, but also that it is being protected.

There are a number of debit cards that allow parents to keep an eye on their child's spending as well as their remaining balance. Should your child and their card become separated, you have the ability to prevent unauthorized purchases and possibly even get a replacement sent to wherever your child is staying.

Traveling with minors requires careful planning and a strict adherence to both American and international laws. This guide and the minor travel consent form we have shared are designed to provide you with the necessary information and tools to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey for your child. Whether your child is traveling with a guardian, as part of a group, or alone, the right preparation can make all the difference.

Remember, the safety and well-being of your child are paramount. By staying informed about the latest travel regulations and using our resources, you can confidently prepare for your child's next trip. If you have any further questions or need personalized advice, our team of travel experts is always here to assist you. Safe travels!

Related Articles and FAQs: International Travel with Minors

How to get a passport for a minor

Form DS-3053: Consent to Issue Passport to Minor

Where to apply for a minor's passport

Minor Passport FAQ

Expedite a child's passport in 24-48 hours

Can one parent apply for minor child's passport?

Is a minor consent form necessary?

What do grandparents need to travel with a grandchild?

Does father need consent to travel alone with minor child?

Does minor need passport to enter Canada?

Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers

1. How can you get a passport when you're in a hurry? 2. What exactly does a passport expediter do? 3. Are passport expediting services legitimate? 4. How can I identify a reliable passport expeditor? 5. Is expedited passport service worth it?

U.S. Passport Service Guide - Who we are

For over 20 years, U.S. Passport Service Guide has helped American citizens understand and navigate the passport application process. We use our expertise and experience to help travelers get United States passports quickly and efficiently.

Our website currently receives over half a million visitors a month. We are committed to going the "extra mile" for all of our readers. Both passport officials and website visitors frequently write to express gratitude for the assistance we provide.

Please contact us if you have any travel related questions - especially ones about passports and visa expediting. We usually respond to e-mails within 24 hours, oftentimes the same day. We are committed to working with you until you get the answer you need.

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Travel documents for kids

When travelling with your children, most likely you need to bring some additional travel documents. Make sure to check what applies to your family.

Which documents

Which travel documents you need to bring for your kids, depends on a couple of factors:

  • your country of departure, transfer, and destination;
  • your nationality;
  • your country of residence.

We advise checking the embassy website of the country you’re visiting. For detailed information suitable for your trip, check our travel documents tool.

Passport or ID card

Children of European Union citizens travelling from, to or via EU countries need to carry their own passport or ID card. Having their names entered in their parent’s passports is no longer permitted. This restriction does not apply to document holders of the United Kingdom or Ireland.

Consent form for minors

Is your child travelling alone, with only 1 parent or guardian, or with an adult that does not have parental authority? Before going through security control, you’ll have to complete a consent form.

Birth certificate

Does your child have a different last name than you? Please bring the family booklet or birth certificate to prove your connection.

Extra documents for specific destinations

You might need to bring various additional documents for your child for specific destinations. You’ll find detailed information about all destinations in our travel documents tool.

All children younger than 18 years and travelling to Barbados without a parent or legal guardian need to bring a letter of authorisation from their parent or legal guardian. This letter should specify who will pick them up at Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados. It is a mandatory addition to the forms required for the Unaccompanied Minor service.

When travelling alone, their parent or legal guardian need to submit a request to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) via [email protected] .

Read more about the documents needed for Barbados

For travel to and from Brazil, all children born in Brazil need to bring several documents, regardless of whether they travel with both parents, 1 parent, an accompanying adult, or alone.

Read more about the documents needed for Brazil

South Africa

For travel to and from South Africa, some children require special documentation: children with the South African nationality and children of any nationality travelling as unaccompanied minors.

Read more about the documents needed for South Africa

Read more about

Travelling with kids.

Get a glimpse of what your kids can expect during their flight.

Ticket options for kids

Travelling with your child? Find out which ticket option is available for your little one, depending on their age.

Children travelling alone

You need the Unaccompanied Minor service for children between 5 and 14 years old who are travelling alone.

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IMAGES

  1. Free Child Travel Consent Form Template Pdf

    child travel consent form ireland

  2. Consent For Minor Children To Travel printable pdf download

    child travel consent form ireland

  3. Parental consent travel minor: Fill out & sign online

    child travel consent form ireland

  4. Letter Consent Of Travel Child

    child travel consent form ireland

  5. Minor Travel Consent Form Ireland 2022

    child travel consent form ireland

  6. Free Minor/Child Travel Consent Forms (How to Use)

    child travel consent form ireland

VIDEO

  1. Relocating to Ireland webinar

  2. Day 9

  3. Dont Do This Mistake While Coming To Ireland With Family

COMMENTS

  1. Child Travel Consent (Ireland) Form

    A Child Travel Consent gives a minor child (i.e., under 18 years old) permission to travel without their parents or legal guardians. Use this form when your child needs to travel alone or with another adult who isn't their legal guardian (e.g., a grandparent, friend, or teacher). You can use the same travel consent letter for domestic and ...

  2. Travelling with children

    In This Section Introduction Safeguarding children General advice Minors travelling unaccompanied Meeting an unaccompanied minor on arrival Travelling with a minor who is not your child/has a different surname Groups travelling with minors (for example-school tour groups) Introduction The following

  3. Travelling With Children

    Most countries, including Ireland, require a child to have their own passport. The practice of allowing children to be included on a parent's passport is being phased out internationally. ... If you are travelling alone with your child, you may have to provide evidence that you have the other parent's consent to travel. In addition to ...

  4. Travelling abroad with children

    If you are travelling alone with your child, you may have to provide evidence that you have the other parent's consent to travel. If a child is removed from the person who has the legal right to custody without that person's consent or agreement, it is considered child abduction. If you are travelling to Ireland with a child under 18, you can ...

  5. Minor Travel Consent Form

    A minor travel consent form indicates to authorities that a minor travelling alone or in the company of another adult has not been abducted. Authorities may refuse a child entry to a country if they are travelling without a parent or guardian, if they do not have proof of parental consent. Similarly, if a child is travelling domestically ...

  6. Documents For Child Passport Applications

    The completed and witnessed Child Passport Identity and Consent Form; You may need to submit other documents regarding your child's guardianship - find more detailed information in our Consent for Children section. Your child's current passport unless you are declaring it lost or stolen. To help us help you, please:

  7. PDF CHILD PASSPORT IDENTITY AND CONSENT FORM

    The CILLIAN ÓB same witness has signed to confirm the guardian's signature. The witness was chosen from the approved list at the MCVICAR bottom CILLIAN This 16-05-2014 left of the consent BRENDAN. form. my child and 16-05-2014 During school holidays, it may be dificult to contact principals or teachers.

  8. Renew or replace passport for a child

    A child under the age of 18 must have their own passport to travel. All Irish citizens can renew their passport from anywhere in the world using Passport Online. ... you will be asked to print an Identity and Consent form. The consent of all the child's guardians must be confirmed on this form and the child's identity must be verified ...

  9. Minor Travel Consent Form

    Minor Travel Consent Form. Progress: 0%. The type of travelling the child will undertake is: domestic. international? X . Select 'domestic' if the child in question is travelling within Ireland. Select 'international' if the child in question is travelling outside of Irish territory. Need help? Next. Customise the template.

  10. Getting first passport for a child

    Guardian consent for children's passport applications. As part of the online application, you will be asked to print an Identity and Consent form. The consent of all the child's guardians must be confirmed on this form and the child's identity must be verified. Children can no longer be included on their parents' or guardians' passports.

  11. Irish Travel Documents for Children

    For each child: A letter of consent for travel with the adult group leader from each minor's parent (s)/guardian (s), including contact details. A copy of a birth or adoption certificate, or guardianship papers showing the parent (s)/guardian (s) relationship with the child. A copy of marriage/divorce certificate in the case where the child ...

  12. Free Child (Minor) Travel Consent Form

    How To Write a Child Travel Consent Form. Step 1: Provide your child's basic information, including their name, birthdate, birthplace, passport details, and birth certificate details. Step 2: Write your information as the parent or guardian, including your address, phone number, and address.

  13. Consent for Children

    Passports for children and guardian consent. Children can no longer be included on their parents' or guardians' passports. This is intended to make international travel more secure for children. For a passport to issue to a child under 18, the consent of all the child's guardians must be received by the Passport Service.

  14. PDF Travel Document Application Form

    Travel Documents for Minors (Children Under 18) Parental Consent is required for all applicants under the age of 18 years. Section 6 of this form MUST be completed by both parents or legal guardians. Where one parent claims to be sole legal guardian of the minor, an affidavit will need to be sworn and submitted with the application.

  15. International travel documents for children

    Parents who frequently cross the border by land with a minor must always carry a letter of permission from the other parent. Children (under age 16) of U.S. citizens arriving by land or sea from Canada or Mexico may present their original or a copy of their birth certificate, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

  16. Free Minor (Child) Travel Consent Form

    1. Traveling Alone[1] Under 5 years old - Must be accompanied by someone at least 12 years of age flying in the same cabin (18 years with some airlines). 5 to 11 years old - Direct flights only. 12 to 15 years old - Travel permitted nationwide, including connections. 15+ years - No consent required. This includes international flights.

  17. Documents for minors travelling in the EU

    Documents for minors travelling in the EU. In addition to their own valid passport or ID card, all children travelling: alone; or. with adults who are not their legal guardian; or. with only one parent. may need an extra (official) document signed by their parents, second parent or legal guardian (s) authorising them to travel.

  18. Free Minor Travel Consent Form

    Free Minor Travel Consent Form. A minor travel consent form is a legal document, signed by a child's parents and/or legal guardians, giving permission for the child to travel with another adult. Any time a child travels abroad without both parents and/or legal guardians, U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires the child to have this written ...

  19. Travel documents for kids flying with KLM

    Passport or ID card. Children of European Union citizens travelling from, to or via EU countries need to carry their own passport or ID card. Having their names entered in their parent's passports is no longer permitted. This restriction does not apply to document holders of the United Kingdom or Ireland.

  20. Children's Issues

    If your child has dual nationality, and if there are any parental custody issues, it's important to get advice before you consent to a passport being issued for them or agree to them travelling to another country (even if you're travelling with them). Be particularly careful if your child's proposed destination is a country that: Is not ...

  21. Recommended consent letter for children travelling abroad

    A consent letter should be used for all cross-border travel when a child is travelling: with a group, such as a sports, school, musical or religious group. This includes day trips and travel where a child will be with only 1 parent for part of a trip. For example, a child will leave Canada with both parents but will return with only 1 parent.

  22. Travel Consent Form Ireland

    A child travel consent form allows a minor to travel alone or with another person or group. If you are travelling to Ireland with a child under 18, you can find details of the required documents from the Department of Justice. Make sure to what applies to your family.

  23. Child Travel Consent (Ireland) Form

    A traveling consent remains used to when traveling with lowly children whether on touren with organizations, lineage members, or one parenting. ... Release Child Travel Consent Answer a few simple questions Print and downloadable right A takes pure 5 minutes. Created Your Free Child Travel Consent

  24. PDF Recommended Consent Letter for Children Travelling Abroad

    Recommended Consent Letter for Children Travelling Abroad The following sample consent letter, provided by Global Affairs Canada, can be modified to meet your specific needs. For instructions and an interactive form you can use to create a customized letter, visit travel.gc.ca/letter. To whom it may concern, I / We,,