What documents do I need when traveling with children?
Children need their own passport, and in many cases a notarized consent letter from absent parents, plus their own visas or travel authorizations.
Updated
Why traveling with children needs extra paperwork
International travel with children involves more documents than adult travel. The extra paperwork exists to prevent child abduction across borders - so countries take it seriously, even when the child is traveling with their biological parent.
Before you book your trip1 family hotel and head to the airport, make sure all the children's documents are in order.
Core documents for every child
- A valid passport in the child's name (every child, including newborns).
- Visa or electronic travel authorization (such as ESTA, Canada's eTA or the UK ETA) for the destination.
- Birth certificate (original or certified copy) - especially if the child shares a different surname than the parent.
- Notarized parental consent letter if traveling with one parent or without parents.
- Custody documents if the parents are divorced and the child shares a name with the non-traveling parent.
When is a parental consent letter needed?
Most countries require or strongly recommend a notarized consent letter if a child is traveling with only one parent, with a grandparent, or with another guardian. The letter is from the absent parent(s) and confirms they have permitted the travel.
The letter should include the child's full name and date of birth, both parents' full names, dates of travel, destination, the accompanying adult's name, and contact information. Canada recommends carrying one, and border officers in many countries can ask to see it.
What about babies?
Infants need their own passport, their own visa or travel authorization, and a birth certificate. The hospital birth record is not enough for international travel - apply for a passport as soon as possible after birth.
trip1 hotel bookings for families
trip1 supports family bookings - add the number of adults and children when searching. Many hotels allow children under 12 to stay free with parents. Bring all family passports to check-in.
What documents do I need when traveling with children - FAQ
Every child, including a newborn, needs their own passport, plus any visa or travel authorisation the destination requires. Bring the child's birth certificate, especially if your surnames differ, and a consent letter from the other parent if only one of you is travelling. Divorced or separated parents should also carry custody documents.
It is strongly recommended and some countries ask for it. Canada, for example, recommends a signed consent letter from the absent parent even when the child travels with the other parent. Requirements differ by destination and by the child's nationality, so check the destination's embassy site before you go and carry the letter either way.
Yes. A consent letter is usually written by the absent parent or parents, and the Canadian government publishes a free template. Include the child's full name and date of birth, both parents' names, travel dates, destination, the accompanying adult's name and contact details. Having a notary witness the signature is strongly recommended, because border officers may question an unwitnessed letter.
The child's own passport and any visa or travel authorisation, a birth certificate, and a consent letter signed by the parents giving permission for the trip. The letter should name the grandparent, the dates and the destination, and include the parents' contact details. A notarised letter carries more weight if a border officer asks questions.
Within the United States, usually yes: the TSA does not require children under 18 to show ID when travelling with an adult, though airlines may ask for proof of a lap infant's age. Internationally, your baby needs their own passport, and carrying the birth certificate helps prove your relationship, especially if your surnames differ.
Yes. Each child, including babies, needs their own approval linked to their own passport: a US ESTA, a Canadian eTA or a UK ETA, depending on the trip. A parent's approval never covers a child. The EU's ETIAS is not running yet, so nobody needs one for Europe today.