One of the most common questions parents have about travel consent forms is whether the document needs to be notarized. The answer is nuanced: in some countries it is a legal requirement, in others it is strongly recommended, and in a few situations a simple signature is sufficient. This guide clarifies exactly what you need for your destination.
Notarization is the process by which a licensed notary public (or equivalent official) verifies the identity of the person signing a document and witnesses their signature. The notary then affixes their official seal and signature to the document, confirming its authenticity. This adds a layer of legal authority that a self-signed letter does not carry.
In these destinations, a non-notarized consent letter will be rejected:
These destinations do not legally mandate notarization, but a notarized letter carries significantly more authority and dramatically reduces the risk of complications:
The process is straightforward and typically takes 15–30 minutes:
An apostille is an additional certification that makes a notarized document legally valid in countries that are signatories to the Hague Apostille Convention. If you are traveling to a country that requires not just notarization but also apostille certification (some Latin American countries, for example), you will need to take the notarized document to your national authority (in the US, this is the Secretary of State's office; in the UK, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) to obtain the apostille stamp.
Complete the guided wizard and download a print-ready PDF in under 2 minutes.
This information is general in nature and requirements can vary by airline, destination, and border authority. Travelers should verify specific requirements before departure.