Travel Consent

Can I travel with my child after separation?

By Michelle M. Rozanski

Family vacations should be about sunscreen, lots of snacks, and arguing who gets the window seat – not unexpected delays at the airport.

If you are separated or divorced and travelling internationally with your child, there is one important document you should not leave behind: a travel consent letter.

A travel consent letter is a written document confirming that a child has permission to travel internationally with one parent or another accompanying adult when the other parent or guardian with decision-making responsibility is not travelling with the child. Border officials may request this document even for short trips across the border. Without it, parents may face delays, additional questioning, or even refusal of entry or exit from a country. Not exactly the ideal way to begin a vacation.

The good news is that obtaining a travel consent letter is fairly straightforward. The easiest way to obtain a travel consent letter is through the official Government of Canada website, which offers free downloadable templates that parents can complete before travelling. Generally, the consent letter should be signed by any parent, guardian, or person with decision-making responsibility who is not travelling with the child. This applies to married parents, common-law parents, separated parents, and divorced parents alike.

Once you have the form, it is important to ensure that it is properly completed. A travel consent letter should generally include the child’s full name and date of birth, the travelling parent or accompanying adult’s information, the travel destination and dates, contact information for the non-travelling parent or guardian, and the signature of the individual providing consent. The Government of Canada also recommends carrying supporting documents where applicable, including courts orders and separation/parenting agreements, and divorce documentation.

Just when you thought your travel checklist was finally complete, there is one more thing to consider: notarization. While notarizing the document is not legally required in Canada, the Government of Canada strongly recommends it. A notarized consent letter may help border officials verify that the document is authentic and can reduce delays while travelling. Just remember that the letter must be signed in front of the notary, as the notary needs to verify the signer’s identity and witness their signature.

Although obtaining a travel consent letter may feel like just another administrative hurdle before boarding your flight, it serves an important purpose. These letters help prevent international child abduction and unauthorized travel involving children. In other words, this small piece of paper carries a surprising amount of legal importance.

Air travel is already stressful enough without a CATSA screening officer reminding you for the third time to remove your shoes, take out your laptop, and somehow fit your entire life into a plastic bin. A little extra preparation before travelling will help avoid unnecessary complications at the airport and focus on what matters most – enjoying time together.