International travel documents for children

All children, including infants, must have their own travel documents, such as a passport or visa to enter the U.S.

Additionally, if the child is traveling alone, with only one of their custodial parents, or with a guardian to the U.S., they should have:

• Documents that their country requires for children traveling outside their country without both parents
  • Each country has its own rules for when minors travel. Contact the embassy or consulate of the country the child is a citizen of. Find out what specific documents the country requires to allow for a child to leave their home country without both of their custodial parents or with a guardian.
• A letter of consent, preferably in English and notarized, from the other parent or signed by both custodial parents.
  • The letter should say: "I acknowledge that my child is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission."
  • A parent who frequently crosses the border by land with a minor should always carry a letter of permission from the other parent.
  • A parent with sole custody of the child they are traveling with should carry a copy of the custody document.

If your child is traveling alone by air, the airline may require you to submit an unaccompanied minor or travel consent form. You may also have to pay a fee for unaccompanied minor service. This service provides an airline employee escort for your child at the airport and on board the plane. You and the person picking your child up at their destination may also need to provide the airline with identification and contact information.

Contact your airline before your child’s trip to find out:

• What age requirements the airline has for their unaccompanied minor service
• If you can book a ticket with a connecting flight
• What documents and fees you are responsible for

Children traveling to most other countries are required to have a U.S. passport. 

Learn how to get a passport for a minor under 18.

Depending on the country, the child may also need a visa and other travel documents. Search for the country the child will be visiting to find out what documentation that country requires.

Providing parental consent when a child travels without both custodial parents

Ports of entry in many countries have security measures to prevent international child abduction. If your child is traveling alone or with only one parent or legal guardian, they may need a letter of consent from the other custodial parent. 

• The letter of consent, preferably in English and notarized, from the other parent (if the child is traveling with one custodial parent) or signed by both parents (if the child is traveling with a guardian or alone) should say: "I acknowledge that my child is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission."

Additionally, if a minor is traveling abroad alone:

• The airline may require you to submit an unaccompanied minor or travel consent form. You may also need to pay a fee for unaccompanied minor service. This service provides an airline employee escort for your child at the airport and on board the plane. You and the person picking your child up at their destination may also need to provide the airline with identification and contact information.
  • Contact your airline before your child’s trip to find out:
    • What age requirements the airline has for their unaccompanied minor service
    • If you can book a ticket with a connecting flight
    • What documents and fees you are responsible for

Traveling by air

All U.S. citizen children who are traveling by air to Canada or Mexico must have a U.S. passport or Trusted Traveler Program card. 

Traveling by land or sea

• Under age 16: present the child’s
  • U.S. passport, or
  • An original or a certified copy of their birth certificate, or
  • A Certificate of Naturalization, or 
  • A Consular Report of Birth Abroad 
• Age 16 or over: show a U.S. passport or Trusted Traveler Program card

Parental consent documentation for travel to Canada and Mexico

A child traveling with only one custodial parent or a guardian or who is traveling alone may need to present a written letter of consent at the border. 

• The letter of consent, preferably in English and notarized, from the other parent (if the child is traveling with one custodial parent) or signed by both parents (if the child is traveling with a guardian or alone) should say: "I acknowledge that my child is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission."