Letter of consent for children to travel outside of Canada.

A consent letter is a document proving that a child has permission to travel outside of Canada from each parent or guardian not accompanying the child on the trip.

When should a consent form be used? A consent form should be used for all border crossings when a child is traveling:

• Alone
• With just one parent or guardian
• Under the care of friends or relatives
• With a group, such as a sports, school, music, or religious group. This includes both day trips and trips where the child will be with only one parent for part of the trip. For example, a child leaving Canada with both parents but returning with only one parent.

A letter of consent is not a legal requirement in Canada, but it can simplify travel for Canadian children as it may be required by immigration authorities when entering or leaving a foreign country, or by Canadian officials or airline personnel when re-entering Canada.

The person accompanying the child should bring the original signed letter, not a copy. Officials are less likely to doubt the authenticity of an original document.

If you are traveling with a child for whom you have always been the sole parent or guardian, you may want to bring a document showing that you are the child's sole parent or guardian, such as a copy of the child's birth certificate that indicates you are the sole parent.

If the other parent has passed away and you have full custody of your child, you should bring a copy of the deceased parent's death certificate when traveling with the child.

The definition of a child varies from country to country, so any child under 19 should carry a consent form.

Using a Letter of Consent from Outside Canada: Countries have their own entry and exit requirements for children. A letter of consent may not be considered sufficient by a country's immigration authorities and there is no guarantee they will recognize it. In some countries, your child may be considered a citizen of that country if you or another parent is a citizen of that country. As a "citizen considered," your child may be subject to the same entry and exit requirements as other citizens of that country.

For more information, check the entry and exit requirements in the Travel Advice and Notices for your destination country or contact the nearest embassy or consulate of your destination country before traveling.

Risk of abduction: If there is a risk that the accompanying parent will not bring your child back to Canada, consult a lawyer and exercise caution before signing any consent form.

How to write a consent letter: There are no official guidelines on the content and format of a consent letter, but they typically include:

• The child's name
• Name and contact information of the parent or guardian.
• Name and relationship of the person accompanying the child
• Information about where the child is traveling and the duration of the trip.

You can use one or more emails depending on the situation:

• If both parents are not accompanying the child, they can sign one letter together or they can each sign a separate letter.
• Babies from the same family traveling together can be listed on one letter.
• Separate letters are recommended for children who will be traveling independently for part of the trip.
• When writing a letter without a specific date or for frequent border crossings, it's advisable to consult a lawyer.

The Letter of Consent should be signed by:

• Married parents or those in a legal relationship who do not accompany their child on travel outside of Canada.
• Divorced parents who are not traveling with their child to Canada and have one of the following conditions:
  • child custody rights
  • the responsibility of making decisions for the child
  • child custody rights (in Alberta and British Columbia)

A witness's signature: Any adult can witness the signing of the consent form. However, notarization is recommended , as border officials are less likely to doubt its authenticity.

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