Travel Consent Form Notarization: A Must For Canadian Minors' Smooth Journey

In Canada, a travel consent letter is a document that proves a child has permission to travel without one or both of their legal guardians. While it is not a legal requirement, the Canadian government strongly recommends that children under the age of majority (under 18 or 19, depending on the province or territory of residence) carry an original, notarized travel consent letter when travelling without one or both parents or legal guardians. This letter may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving a foreign country, airline agents or Canadian officials when re-entering Canada, and having one can prevent unnecessary delays or refusal to enter or exit a country.

When is a travel consent form needed?

A travel consent form is needed when a child travels alone, with one parent, or with an adult who is not their legal guardian. This could be a relative, family friend, or another group. It is also required for shorter day trips, where a child is travelling with one parent for only part of their trip.

The form is a document that proves a child has permission to travel without one or both of their legal guardians. It demonstrates that the child is not being abducted or taken out of the country without the consent of their guardians.

The definition of a "child" varies in each country, but generally, any child under the age of 18 or 19 should carry a consent form if travelling without one or both parents. This is especially important if the parents are divorced or separated.

A travel consent form is not always legally required, but it is strongly recommended by many governments, including Canada, and can help to simplify travel. It may be requested by immigration authorities, and having one can prevent delays or even refusal of entry or exit from a country.

The form should include the child's full name, date of birth, and passport number, as well as the full names and contact information of the child's parents or legal guardians. It should also include the travel itinerary and duration of the trip, as well as the names and relationships of the people accompanying the child.

What should a travel consent form include?

A travel consent form is a legal document that allows a minor to travel alone or with another person or group. It is written by one or both parents and can be used for domestic or international travel. Here are some key components that should be included in a travel consent form:

• The child's full name, date of birth, and passport number (if applicable).
• The child's travel itinerary, including the destination and the duration of the trip.
• The full names and contact information of the child's parents or legal guardians.
• The names of the people accompanying the child and their relationship to the child (if applicable).
• A clear statement of consent to the child's travel from one or both parents, depending on the situation.
• The signatures of the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) granting consent.
• The date the letter was written.

In some cases, additional information may be required, such as the child's place of birth, country of issuance, and date of issuance and expiration of their passport. If the child is travelling with only one parent, a notarized consent form from the absent parent is often expected.

It is important to note that the requirements for travel consent forms can vary by country and change over time. Therefore, it is recommended to consult official government sources and travel advisories for the specific requirements of your destination country.

Who should sign a travel consent form?

A travel consent letter is a document that proves a child has permission to travel without one or both of their legal guardians. While it is not a legal requirement in Canada, the government strongly recommends having one. This is because the letter may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving a foreign country, airline agents or Canadian officials when re-entering Canada. Failure to produce a letter upon request may result in delays or refusal to enter or exit a country.

The consent letter should be signed by every non-accompanying person or organisation with the legal right to make major decisions for the child, including anyone with custody rights or guardianship rights, or parents who have access to the child. This includes:

• Parents who are married or in a common-law relationship who are not accompanying the child travelling.
• Separated or divorced parents who are not accompanying the child and who have custody of the child, decision-making responsibility for the child, or guardianship of the child (in Alberta and British Columbia).
• If the child is in temporary care, the consent letter should be signed by the appropriate child welfare agency representative granting consent for the child to travel with the accompanying person.
• If one of the parents is deceased, the surviving parent should sign the consent letter and include a copy of the death certificate of the deceased parent.

If neither parent is accompanying the child, they can either sign one letter or separate letters. However, if they choose to sign separate consent letters, it is recommended that both letters are witnessed by a notary public.

Does a travel consent form need to be witnessed?

A travel consent letter is a document that proves a child has permission to travel without one or both of their legal guardians. While it is not a legal requirement in Canada, the government of Canada strongly recommends drafting one. A travel consent letter is recommended for all cross-border travel, even for a day trip. It is also important to note that a simple letter or travel consent form that has not been notarized by a licensed notary public may be rejected by border officials as such letters or forms can be easily forged.

The Government of Canada recommends that the letter be signed by every non-accompanying person or organization with the legal right to make major decisions for the child, including anyone with custody rights or guardianship rights, or parents who have access to the child. The consent letter should be signed by parents who are not accompanying the child on a trip, including:

• One or both parents who are married or in a common-law relationship and live together with the child. Both parents usually have custody rights over the child.
• One or both parents who are separated, divorced or do not live together. In some situations, parents have “joint custody” or “joint guardianship” of a child, meaning that they make important decisions about the child together. In other situations, one parent has “sole custody” and is responsible for making important decisions for the child, while the other parent has “access rights.”
• One or more individuals (other than parents) or an organization with guardianship rights and responsibility for the care of the child.

The signing of the letter may be witnessed by anyone who has attained the age of majority (18 or 19, depending on the province or territory of residence). However, it is strongly recommended to have the letter witnessed and signed by a notary public, as border officials will be less likely to question its authenticity. A notary public will verify your identity and signature and stamp the letter to make it an official legal document.

If neither parent is accompanying the child, they can both sign one letter or they can each sign a separate letter. However, if both parents choose to sign separate consent letters, it is strongly recommended that both letters be witnessed by a notary public.

Where can I get a travel consent form?

A travel consent form is a document that proves a child has permission to travel without one or both of their legal guardians. While it is not a legal requirement in Canada, the Canadian government strongly recommends having one. This is because it may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving a foreign country or by Canadian officials or airline agents when re-entering Canada.

There are several options for obtaining a travel consent form. Firstly, you can create one yourself by following the guidelines provided by the Canadian government. This option is free, and the form can be customised to fit your specific needs. However, it is important to include as much detail as possible, such as the child's full name, date of birth, and passport number; the child's travel itinerary and the duration of the trip; the full names and contact information of the child's parents or legal guardians; the names of the people accompanying the child and their relationship to the child; the date the letter was written; a clear statement of consent to the child's travel from both parents or legal guardians; and a signature from both parents or legal guardians.

Another option is to use an online service, such as NotaryPro or Red Seal Notary, which offers a range of services including live document drafting appointments, easy-to-use online document creators, and customisation of templates to fit your specific needs. These services typically charge a fee, which may include the cost of notarisation. For example, NotaryPro offers a live document drafting service for $249, which includes a notary public seal and stamp, while Red Seal Notary charges $99 plus applicable taxes for their drafting service, with an additional cost for notarisation.

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