Parental consent for a child travelling abroad

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Establish whose permission is required

Under the GOV.UK guidance on taking a child abroad ↗, permission is normally needed from everyone with parental responsibility, or from a court. Divorce, living separately or one parent buying the tickets does not itself remove another person's rights.

First check parental responsibility ↗, existing court orders and the applicable family law. In some circumstances, a child arrangements order stating that the child lives with you permits a trip of up to 28 days without separate consent unless another court order prevents it. Check the actual order and relevant jurisdiction before relying on that exception.

Confirm the format for the entire itinerary

For the UK, a letter from a person with parental responsibility is usually sufficient evidence of permission. However, the destination, transit country, child's country of nationality or carrier may require a different format, such as a prescribed form, notarisation, translation or additional details.

Check each relevant country's official consular guidance and the operating carrier's rules. Specify the child's age and nationality, who accompanies them and where the return journey starts. For a school group, obtain the organiser's requirements too. A school permission form does not automatically replace visa or border consent documents. There is no single international consent document accepted for every country.

Prepare a clear document bundle

A useful consent letter normally identifies the child and birth date, travel document, countries and trip dates, accompanying adult and contact details of the person giving permission. Include a signature and date. Arrange notarisation where the relevant process requires it, rather than simply to make the document look formal.

Carry evidence of the relationship, such as a full birth or adoption certificate. Where surnames differ, include a document linking them; special circumstances may require an appropriate court order or other evidence. Confirm whether originals, copies and translations are needed. Store the bundle securely but accessibly in hand luggage.

Resolve a consent dispute before travelling

If the necessary permission is unavailable, obtain family-law advice and court permission where required before the journey. Do not try to bypass a refusal using another airport or passport. Permission for a short holiday should not automatically be used for relocation or lengthy overseas education.

On return, Border Force may ask questions ↗, particularly where the accompanying adult is not a parent or surnames differ. Prepare a straightforward explanation of the itinerary and relationship, together with evidence of the child's right to enter: the appropriate passport, visa or eVisa. Parental consent does not replace immigration documents. For an unaccompanied child, separately check the airline's age thresholds and whether its assistance service is compulsory.