- Licensed online notary
- ~15 min average
- Notarized PDF emailed
- Available 24/7
What it is
A child travel consent letter is written permission from a parent or guardian allowing a minor to travel — often with one parent, a relative, or a group — without both legal guardians present. It typically names the child, the accompanying adult, the destination, and the travel dates.
Who needs it
Divorced or single parents, grandparents or relatives traveling with a child, and families where one parent stays home. Many airlines and most international border crossings ask for a notarized consent letter.
Why it needs a notary
A notarized consent letter is far more credible to airlines and customs officials because the notary has verified the signing parent's identity. It helps prevent child-trafficking and custody disputes — and prevents your child from being turned away at the gate.
How to notarize a Minor Travel Consent online
- 1
Upload your document
Drag in your PDF — no printing or scanning. Add your email so we can send the finished file.
- 2
Verify your identity
Answer a few knowledge-based questions and scan your government-issued photo ID. It takes about a minute.
- 3
Meet your notary on video
A licensed online notary joins you on a secure video call, confirms your ID, and witnesses your signature.
- 4
Download the notarized PDF
The notary applies their electronic seal and tamper-evident certificate. Your notarized document is emailed to you instantly.
You’ll need ID and a webcam.
A licensed online notary joins you on a secure video call, verifies your government-issued ID, witnesses your signature, and applies their electronic seal. You’ll receive the notarized PDF by email when the session ends.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a notarized travel consent letter required?
- Requirements vary by airline and destination, but a notarized letter is widely recommended and often required for international travel with a minor. U.S. Customs and Border Protection specifically suggests a notarized consent letter when a child travels with only one parent or another adult.
- Does the other parent need to sign too?
- Ideally both legal guardians sign. Both parents can join the same online session from anywhere to sign and notarize together, or each can complete a separate session.
- How quickly can I get this done before a trip?
- Notaries are available 24/7, so even last-minute travel is covered — most consent letters are notarized in about 15 minutes and emailed to you immediately.
Other documents you can notarize online
Power of Attorney
Make a financial, medical, or durable POA legally binding.
Affidavit
Sworn statements for court, business, or personal matters.
Affidavit of Residency
Sworn proof of address for schools, the DMV and agencies.
Applying for the child's passport instead?
A travel consent letter covers a trip. Consenting to a passport application is a different document — the DS-3053 — with its own notarization rules and a 90-day expiry.
DS-3053 (passport consent) →Not sure which notarial act your form needs? The glossary explains the terms on it, the notary guides compare where you can get a document notarized, and the FAQs cover how a session runs. Which documents may be notarized online, and the identity rules that apply, are set by each state — see the requirements page.