Documentation For Children Traveling Internationally

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Children traveling internationally require the same documentation as adults, that means that even the youngest babies need to get a passport or other accepted ID

International Child Abduction laws mean that you'll need a little more advance preparation and documentation if you are a parent traveling without your spouse, a grandparent, or if your last name is different from your child's last name.

  • You will need a notarized letter from the absent parent giving their permission for you to travel with the child. The letter must include the absent parents address, phone number, authorization to travel, the destination and the length of stay.
  • If you are a single parent by divorce, you will need the notarized letter plus your legal papers outlining custody.
  • If your spouse has died, you will need the death certificate
  • If a child traveling has a different last name from one of the parents, be prepared to show documentation that shows that both are parents (e.g. a birth certificate or adoption decree).
  • If the child had only one parent at birth, be prepared to show a birth certificate

Note: Unfortunately I am unable to give advice about specific destinations or situations. Check with your country’s state department, and the embassy of each country you will be visiting regarding the latest regulations and requirements. Try to get written instructions that you can carry with you in case any questions arise at immigration. For US Citizens, the state department website is travel.state.gov

Comments

  1. Michelle

    June 3, 2008 at 7:02 p.m.

    We are planning to take our 18 months old baby to his grandparents in Romania, Europe and leave him there for few months so his nana and papa will enjoy him.
    What documents do we need so when we come back without him we will not have any problems when we re-enter USA.
    I want to mention that we will stay in Europe for 3 weeks and one of us will have to go back to bring him back after 3 or 4 months.

    Thank you for your help,

    Michelle

  2. Debbie

    June 7, 2008 at 9:53 a.m.

    In addition to the documents listed above, you should contact your local passport office and speak to an officer about any special requirements regarding your situation.

  3. An

    December 23, 2008 at 7:23 a.m.

    I'm traveling with my husband and his 2 kids to Colombia next February. We are getting their pasports next week. Their mother doesn't have a problem with them traveling with us and I share the same last name. What other documentation we may need for them?

    Thank you for your help.

  4. Debbie

    December 23, 2008 at 7:54 a.m.

    In addition to the documents listed above, you should contact the Columbian Embassy (or review their website) to find out exactly what documentation they require.

  5. Barry Jetko

    March 26, 2009 at 6:35 p.m.

    My fiancee is from and lives in Bucharest, Romania. We are planning to meet in Paris, France this August. She is a single parent with a 3 year old daughter. The Father left her shortly after the child was born. She has not heard from him since and does not know where he is. 1) Will she need special documentation to travel out of the country with her daughter? 2) Will she also need a passport for her and her daughter?
    Any help in this matter will be greatly appreciated.
    Regards, Barry

  6. Debbie

    March 26, 2009 at 11:23 p.m.

    Barry,

    This sounds like a complex situation. She should contact immigration services in both Bucharest and in Paris to understand exactly what documentation they require. In addition, she should get those requirements in writing and carry the correspondence with her documents.

    Good luck!

  7. Akiko Clifford

    September 8, 2009 at 1:54 p.m.

    My nephew is coming from Paris to visit us in the US in December. He will be travelling with his grandparents who will have an authorization to travel with their grandson. On their trip back to France, would American authorities require a similar document in English?

  8. Debbie

    September 8, 2009 at 3:57 p.m.

    @akiko That would be the safe thing to do. You should check with American Immigration to find out exactly what you will need.

  9. Karen J

    February 22, 2010 at 9:02 a.m.

    I knew that my daughter's father would be hard to keep track of, since we seperated early in the pregnancy, I did list him on her birth certificate, but when we went for our custody papers, I had a travel claus put into the agreement. This way I do not need to track him down every time we wish to travel. Something to think about. It is also a blessing when applying for our passports, as I do not currently know where he is

  10. jane billedo

    November 21, 2010 at 9:03 p.m.

    im a single parent travelled in thailand bangkok with my son.i got a nanny who worked w/us and im planning to give her an authorization to bring back home my child to the philippines,because i cannot go back home yet.i still need to settle some problem here about my boyfriend.is it possible for my son's nanny to take him home with my authorization alone and some documents proving that im allowing her to take my child?

  11. Debbie

    November 22, 2010 at 9:45 a.m.

    Jane, With a very specific question like that, you should contact the immigration department in both Thailand and the Philippines and ask what documentation they would need. Ask them to put their requirements in writing, and have the nanny bring the letters and all the appropriate documentation with her to the airport. Good luck!

  12. Karen

    December 8, 2010 at 9:53 p.m.

    We are US citizens living in Shanghai. We are relocating to the US and I will take my youngest son with me a couple of days ahead of my husband, who will bring my oldest son. So we will each be entering the US with a child, but we will all return to China as a family. Do we each still need the letter to enter the US? Or does the letter only apply when you are leaving the US?

  13. Debbie

    December 8, 2010 at 11:18 p.m.

    Karen,

    You should ask the immigration department in both the US and China exactly what requirements you will need to fulfill for your trip. Ask them to put their requirements in writing, and have the nanny bring the letters and all the appropriate documentation with her to the airport. Good luck!

  14. Laura

    July 19, 2011 at 3:36 p.m.

    I am travelling with my 10 month old daughter next week to Scotland. Due to work commitments my husband cannot travel with us. However, my passport is still in my maiden name (UK passport) and my daughter's passport is in my married name (NZ passport). I am planning to travel with my marriage licence and daughter's birth anyway as I plan to apply for her British passport when we are in Scotland. What other documetation do I need to allow us to travel seamlessly? Do I need a letter from my husband stamped by a Justice of the Peace?
    Thanks!

  15. Kristine B.

    September 17, 2011 at 2:12 p.m.

    I am travelling with my daughter without her father, we do not share last names, do i need any other proof aside from her birth certificate? Also on the same trip, my younger brother from my mom's second marriage is going with me, we do not share last names as well, what documentations do i need for him? Do i need to establish sibling relationship between the two of us?

  16. brittany

    December 8, 2011 at 10:56 p.m.

    hi im traveling to guatemala by myself with my 1 year old daughter, i was wondering besides the us passport and birth certificate will i need any other documents?, her fathers not on her birth certificate but she has his last name not mine.

  17. Debbie

    December 9, 2011 at 9:43 a.m.

    Unfortunately immigration / passport law is so tricky that I can't give specific advice on every circumstance. The best thing to do is to contact the destination you are visting and find out what paperwork they would require. If there's anything that seems like it could cause questions to be raised (for example, your child has a different last name) bring along the paperwork to show why that's ok (i.e. a birth certificate or notarized letter)

  18. George

    December 13, 2011 at 5:35 p.m.

    check with the airline also as they have rules requirements for such travel.

  19. Jess Jones

    January 27, 2012 at 8:28 a.m.

    I am going aboard to my brother's wedding. My son is coming with me. His dad and I are not together anymore, and we were never married. My son has his dad's surname. What do I need to do to make sure there are no problems? My son's dad and I are no longer on speaking terms!!

  20. Debbie

    January 27, 2012 at 2:24 p.m.

    @Jess Do you have any documentation showing that you have full custody of your child? I would double check with immigration and find out if that would be what you need.

  21. Kitty

    January 29, 2012 at 8:09 p.m.

    I recently got divorced. My exhusband refused to pay child support, alimony, etc, etc. I finally got him to pay by contacting my lawyer and his parents asking them to encourage following the court order or I will take him back to court for failure to pay.

    After all this, he wrote me stating he doesn't care what my daughter and I do. If I die, then he'll have to take care of our child, until then, any contact will be considered harassment.

    I have primary custody and he has only visitation. How am I suppose to go on a vacation with my daughter if he acts like this? I've offered to have open visitation so he can bond with them, but it's like a talking to a wall.

  22. Debbie

    January 29, 2012 at 8:31 p.m.

    Kitty,

    I am very, very sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately, I'm not an expert in immigration law, so this might be a place where you could ask your lawyer to help you draft up the necessarily paperwork to clear immigration - and to help get him to sign if that's necessary.

    Good luck.
    Debbie

  23. maryann

    January 31, 2012 at 4:56 a.m.

    im planning to travel with my 13month old daughter in singapore then we're different family name in passport, im separated for my first husband then im using his family name in my passport..then i have a daughter now for my boyfriend malaysian chinese, he's working in singapore, then my daughter registered her name under her father's family name..do i bring some document's to show in immigration?thank's

  24. Debbie

    January 31, 2012 at 11:45 p.m.

    Maryann

    Yes, I would bring documentation to show that you have the authority to bring her across international borders.

    Good luck on your trip

  25. Ann

    March 4, 2012 at 9:27 a.m.

    Hi,
    My 14month baby(U.S passport) will be returning back to the US with her uncle(also US passport). Will he need any documents to enter with her?

  26. Debbie

    March 5, 2012 at 12:59 p.m.

    Ann,

    To be safe, you should have a notarized letter from both parents. I would also take the step of contacting both US Immigration and the Immigration Office at the country you are leaving to find out what documentation they are expecting to see beyond the US Passport.

    Good luck!

  27. cristine joy de guzman macaspac

    March 13, 2012 at 8:21 a.m.

    Hi Ms.Debbie,
    kindly help me to give information where to get a letter to authenticate in dfa, because i am planning to travel abroad in oman with my daughter 7 months old and her surname is with his father and we are not married.do i need to go to the notary attorneys office.pls inform me about this matter.

    Thanks a lot.

    Cristine

  28. joanne

    March 13, 2012 at 8:33 a.m.

    hi if my son has a different surname to me and his father what will we need to fly as a family?

  29. Debbie

    March 13, 2012 at 11:43 a.m.

    Cristine, I would bring along a birth certificate (to show that you are the mother) and a notarized letter from her father showing that you have permission to bring her on this trip. In addition, I would contact the immigration department at any country you will be visiting as well as your home country and get clear written instructions about what documentation they will expect at immigration control.

    @Joanne do you have a birth certificate or other documentation showing that your son is yours?

  30. MARTHA MENDOZA

    March 19, 2012 at 4:52 a.m.

    My son is 7 years old and he going to France with my friends for hollidays; my hunsband y I no camiung with then, what I had to do for given the permision to take my son out of England.
    Thank you.

    Martha

  31. Debbie

    March 19, 2012 at 7:49 a.m.

    Martha,

    My understanding is that there is no longer any passport control between EU countries, but you should double check with England's immigration authority in order to be sure of laws regarding minors.

  32. Lisa

    April 2, 2012 at 7:37 a.m.

    My husband and I are both taking our 18 month old daughter to Mexico in a few weeks. I still use my maiden name, but my daughter has my husbands last name. What documentation do we need?

  33. keira

    April 25, 2012 at 1:10 p.m.

    Dear Debbie,

    For the notalized letter from the abscent parent, can it be notarized from anywhere? Like the bank?(thats where i notirized some forms last year).

    And my daughter and i have different last names. Does the birth certificate have to be a certified copy or can it be just a regular copy i make?

    Thank yoi in advance.

  34. Emily Z. Soriano

    http://www.deliciousbaby.com/
    April 26, 2012 at 5:03 a.m.

    Hi Debbie,

    I applied for a job in London, and my employer sponsored me. I just wanted to ask if I could bring with me my family (my husband aged 42 and my 3 kids both 13 and a 4 year old)? Or can I bring them to London after 3 months?

  35. Michelle Derrick

    April 28, 2012 at 4:37 p.m.

    My 13 year old and I will be going on a cruise. We both have passport cards. I am currently separated from my husband. Besides her passport card will I need to take her birth certificate and a notarized letter that her father gives her permission?

  36. Iryna

    May 5, 2012 at 8 a.m.

    HI Debbie! Two month ago i separeted with my husband (we wasnt married),4 month ago i give a birth to my little girl..And i dont wanna from him even a child support(which he is also not paying)...In her birth certificate she has two last names mine and his...I have question do i still need his permision??? and what can i do,that i'm not going ask him for that in future....Thank you!

  37. Sandra

    June 5, 2012 at 12:10 p.m.

    We are planning to travel to Canada with our 11 month baby. Does she need to get a passaport to enter or just with her birth certificate is enough?

  38. Hello Debbie

    June 23, 2012 at 6:52 a.m.

    Hello Debbie,

    My 2 year old daughter will be traveling with her aunt to go see her dad in Guatemala for 6 months. Does she require a visa for that, since she will be gone for more than 90 days. The Guatemala COnsulte said she doesn't and I just don't want any problems at the airport. Any advice will be good.

    Thanks
    Raven

  39. Debbie

    June 23, 2012 at 8:52 a.m.

    @Lisa, if you are worried about confusion, a copy of her birth certificate would show both parent's names

    @Kiera yes a bank notary would work fine. With regard to the birth certificate, an original is always best, but you'll probably be fine with a photocopy.

    @Emily you'll have to check with the british consulate - unfortunately I'm not an expert in immigration law

    @Michelle you should check with the consulate at each country you will enter to make sure you understand their individual requirements. In most cases, a passport and notarized letter should work
    @Iryna You'll need to consult a lawyer to understand your legal rights and your husband's
    @Sandra Here is a link to the information about visiting Canada with a child under 18 http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/...
    @Hello Debbie I would go with the information given to you by the Consulate. If you can, travel with a written copy of their guidance.

  40. Leesa

    June 28, 2012 at 2:55 p.m.

    My ex has planned a trip on the other side of canada with our daughter! He is now telling me I HAVE TO change her long form birth certificate to include his name (at birth I didn't put him on the registration and I STILL don't want to!) My lawyer said he could get an equivalent and I wouldn't have to change it but I don't know how or where to send him for that? Any Idea's?

  41. Bluebird

    June 30, 2012 at 10:04 a.m.

    I'm travelling from UK to Malaysia with my 4yr old daughter - all UK citizens.
    My husband is currently in Malaysia and we will visit him, will i need any form of consent for this trip?

  42. Debbie

    June 30, 2012 at 10:10 a.m.

    @Leesa Your lawyer should be able to give you the information you need.

    @Bluebird You'll need to consult the immigration authorities for both countries to be sure about what you need. My understanding is that you need authorization any time you take your child out of the country without both parents present.

  43. Leesa

    July 1, 2012 at 9 a.m.

    my lawyer hasn't been in contact with me in 4 years since I won custody.

  44. Dan

    September 25, 2012 at 7:20 p.m.

    very common question but I'm not seeing this actual answer to my question. Im planning to travel with my child to Mexico but he only has mothers last name. I will have letter of authorization from her and notarized. Im planing on having birth certificate too but my last name is not on the birth certificate. is that going to be an issue? what other document will I need if it is an issue?

  45. Debbie

    September 25, 2012 at 8:23 p.m.

    @Leesa, I'm sorry I don't have any information on Canadian long form birth certificates. I would assume that a lawyer or perhaps the city office that issues birth certificates would be the best place to go.

    @Dan I'm sorry that I'm unable to give advice on immigration law. The best thing to do would be to contact both Mexican and American customs and immigration to find out exactly what they will expect to see.

  46. Carin van der Merwe

    October 28, 2012 at 11:42 p.m.

    Debbie, my best friend Petro is 26 years old and have a daughter of 6 years old. Her father is currently visiting here in South Africa but he is from England. He now wants his daughter to come and visit him for 2x months in England. Petro is not married to him and they do have a contract that say they have joined custody and the child residence is in South Africa. The daughter wants to go and visit and Petro will also allow this, but we want to know what exactly must she do regarding papers/contract so that she will be sure that he wil bring her daughter back on the date that he said he will.

  47. juan rodriguez

    November 14, 2012 at 7:15 p.m.

    Hi my names Juan i have wife well we are no married the things we have 3 daugthers and we planning to let then come to see me im on luisiana the things what they dont have passport they have my lastname but i not on the birth certificate what we we can do they going to travel with my mam and my brother

  48. Anesh Latchmiah

    November 19, 2012 at 11:55 p.m.

    My girlfriend is divorced.She has custody of her daughter. Her father moved to new zealand. He wants her to visit. He has already purchased the ticket. What documents are required from my girlfriends side. visa etc

  49. Keshia

    November 23, 2012 at 1:44 p.m.

    I live in Ontario, and would like to take my daughter to Florida to meet with her great grandmother. She will likely be 2 to 3 months old at that point. Her father and I were never married nor living together. We were dating for only 2 months and broke up shortly after we found out. The birth certificate does not have his name on it. What forms of I.D. Will I need for my daughter in order to plan this trip? Thanks!!

  50. Molly

    November 23, 2012 at 8:39 p.m.

    My daughters dad and I were never married. I left the UK for the USA when she was 6 months old with a witnessed 'permission slip' authorizing me to take her. No custody was ever officially done, however he agreed she will be with me and he will visit once a year. We are now planning a visit to the UK for her birthday and Im worried that he or someone in his family will have custody papers or claim I kidnapped her (even though I clearly didnt) We are very civil, but I want some type of papers signed before our visit ensuring I can leave with our daughter without ANY hassle. Is another permission slip ok or do you think I should try to get custody paperwork before we travel (feb2013) My visa (indefinite leave to remain) is expired, but hoping to renew while on our visit. Any suggestions or comments will be helpful!

  51. Erica

    November 26, 2012 at 7:35 a.m.

    My mom and dad are planning a trip to mexico and want to take my son with them. He has his fathers last name but there is no father on the both certificate. Do I still need a consent letter from him?

  52. Debbie

    November 26, 2012 at 1:28 p.m.

    Molly, if you are worried that a family member will make a legal claim that you would need to defend against, you should get the custody paperwork in order before you go.

    Erica, I believe that if you are the official guardian of your son, and can demonstrate that, then you would not need a consent letter.

  53. Jeanine

    December 9, 2012 at 5:37 a.m.

    My sons father who has not seen him since he was 7 months old (my son is almost 3 now) has not shown any real interest in him since birth. I have tried to subpoena for maintenance but he hasn't really made any effort. My fiancee and I are thinking of immigrating from SA to Aus next year. As my son's biological father isn't on the birth certificate and he has said in an email that my fiancee can adopt my son, would I need his permission to sign off my sons passport?

  54. Sam

    January 18, 2013 at 6:28 a.m.

    I am married and planning a trip to the usa. The babies father is unknown on my babies birth certificate, as i am unsure who the babies father is. What documents will i need to take my child abroad.

    I dont have any contact with either party.

    What would i need to do

  55. stephanie

    January 19, 2013 at 6:46 a.m.

    Hello. I have some questions I am curious about. I have a daughter who is 4 now. Me and her father are not together but we have a week on/off custody arrangement. When she was born, we put her last name as his last name. Now I am dating a Jamaican and we would like to travel with my daughter to meet his side of the family. I know I have to get her a passport, but would it be easier for me to get my last name in her name for travelling? Or just get a letter from her father saying she is allowed to fly. I dont want to have to get a letter every time we travel. We plan to travel a lot with my daughter.

  56. Jamie

    January 21, 2013 at 11:30 a.m.

    I have full custody of my son and we live in the USA. What documentation besides a passport would be required of me to travel with my son?

  57. Debbie

    January 22, 2013 at 11:25 a.m.

    @Jeanine and @Sam you should check with immigration to be sure, but if your son's father is not on his birth certificate and you have sole custody, you should be able to take your son without problem - just make sure that you have the relevant documentation with you

    @Jamie, you should check with an immigration official to be sure, but you would definitely want to bring a copy of your custody documents.

  58. Emma

    February 27, 2013 at 8:27 a.m.

    Hi Debbie,
    My husbands cousin is getting married in scotland in june and we will be going along with our 18 month old baby. We will be travelling at seperate times with myself taking the baby and my husband following later in the day. My passport is still in my maiden name so is therefore different to my son's passport. Will I need any other documentation to be able to fly with him. (we are departing from Stansted)
    Many Thanks
    Emma

  59. Debbie

    February 27, 2013 at 10:19 a.m.

    Emma,

    You should contact the immigration authorities for exact requirements, but at minimum I would bring a notarized letter from your husband that gives permission for you to fly with the baby and a birth certificate that shows you as the mother.

    Good luck!

  60. dana

    March 15, 2013 at 10:56 a.m.

    I'm planning to take my 9 yr old to Cancun resort for 5 days by myself without his father or with my mother. My son and I have different last names as I did not take his last name and we are not currently married. What is required of me to get to have no problems at the borders either side?

  61. Karri

    March 18, 2013 at 10:47 a.m.

    My husband and I are planning to take our kids to Florida next winter. Our problem is that my twins (who are now 14) father has not been seen or heard from since they were 9 years old, he is listed on their birth certificate and they have his last name. How do I go about getting permission to take them across the Canada/U.S. border without him?

  62. Tracy

    March 20, 2013 at 11:13 a.m.

    My daughters father hasn't bothered with her or had any contact in 8 years she nearly 9 do I need his signature to permission to get her a passport n take her on holiday her surname is same as mine not her fathers . We really don't want to have to try n track him down as he could be anywhere he an alcoholic n drug addict I really don't want go open that can of worms any advice greatly received !

  63. Debbie

    March 20, 2013 at 12:34 p.m.

    Dana, Karri, and Tracy you'll need to talk to a lawyer about what options you have for documenting your full custody of your children.

    I wish you luck!

  64. sel

    March 28, 2013 at 11:17 p.m.

    hi debbie, i would like to bring my granddaughter to visit Disneyland in LA California as i promised to her , we have different surname. I have an american visa of 10 years. She lives in the Philippines with her parents while i live here in Greece. I will get her from the Philippines to visit Disneyland and bring her back there after the tour. What do i need to do?

  65. anne

    April 17, 2013 at 9:39 a.m.

    hi debbie im planning to visit to the philiiines this coming july of 2013. my daughter is already has a passport we just got it yesterday my question is do i need to get a consent letters to pass to the airport without interrupting our flieght?

  66. Debbie

    April 17, 2013 at 12:29 p.m.

    Sel and Anne, my recommendation is to always travel with a consent letter, and to contact immigration in any country you will be visiting to find out what, if anything, they might need beyond that.

  67. Amy

    April 18, 2013 at 2:52 p.m.

    Hi Debbie - wow your advice is amazing! Our daughter who is 7 and has both a US & UK passport will be travelling to England this summer to stay with my sister. She will be travelling as an unaccompanied minor with the airline on a nonstop flight. My sister and her family will be taking her to France for a trip over the summer, what paperwork will we need to ensure smooth travel? Thanks!

  68. Gina

    April 29, 2013 at 3:11 a.m.

    Hi Debbie,
    I am traveling to Costa Rica with my 4 months old baby to visit my parents and so they know my son, my husband isnt traveling with us because of is job, but he traveling to pick up us for one week..

    Do i need a special permission to travel with my son overseas, without the father?

    Do I need a permission to travel with him in/ out Costa Rica, because over there I dont use my married last name?

  69. Debbie

    April 29, 2013 at 9:16 p.m.

    Amy, I would check with both the airline and the immigration offices to understand exactly how she would be accompanied through immigration and met by your sister. I hope you'll take a moment to let me know how that goes so that I can share the information with other readers!

    Gina, Yes, you will need a notarized letter from your husband saying that you have permission to take the baby out of the country. I would contact the local authorities in Costa Rica to understand what additional documentation, if any, they would require. Good luck!

  70. Azaleah Villasis

    May 9, 2013 at 7:10 a.m.

    hi deb, im going to the US with my baby by first week of june but my son's US passport would take two months and more..what else can I do to bring him with me?pls help...

  71. Debbie

    May 9, 2013 at 10:30 p.m.

    Azaleah,

    You will need to pay extra for an expedited passport. Here's a link with details http://travel.state.gov/passport/proc...

    Good luck!

  72. Rose

    May 19, 2013 at 3:43 p.m.

    Hi Debbie, My son is going on a feild trip to the states. They are crossing the border from Canada by vehicle and only need a birth certificate and permission letters from parents. His biological father is not on the birth certificate and has never been in his life. I am married now and have a different last name from my son. Will he be able to cross the border with a letter from myself and his birth certificate?

  73. Debbie

    May 20, 2013 at 9:31 a.m.

    Rose,

    I would contact the US immigration and double check, but I assume that if he is able tho show the birth certificate and a letter from you that would be fine. Are you able to use a hyphenated last name for the purposes of this letter? Otherwise, just include a copy of your legal name change.

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