Notary Public · Central London · Same-Day
Notarised Child Travel Consent: When & Why You Need One
A notarised child travel consent letter is a permission-to-travel letter signed before a notary public, who verifies identity and adds an official seal that border authorities accept worldwide. Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers, regulated by the Faculty Office, notarises them same-day at 19 Wigmore Street, London — or online by video call.
Fixed fee £125 + VAT (£150) — same-day or online
A notary witnesses the signatures and applies an official seal accepted at borders worldwide. Attend our Central London office same-day, or sign from home with our online notary service by video call.
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What Is a Notarised Child Travel Consent Letter?
A notarised letter of permission is a legal document confirming that a parent or legal guardian has given consent for a child to travel abroad. The letter is signed before a notary public, who verifies the identity of the person signing and applies an official seal. This process gives the document legal authority and makes it acceptable to border authorities, immigration authorities and border officials worldwide.
The notarised letter typically includes the child’s full name, date of birth and passport number, along with the dates of travel and destination country, contact information for the consenting parent, and details of the travelling parent, family members or other adult accompanying the child abroad. For the underlying requirements, see our child travel consent form requirements guide.
When Do You Need a Notarised Travel Consent?
There are several common situations where a notarised consent letter is essential for international travel:
- A single parent travelling with their child may be asked to prove the other parent has given permission — particularly where the child has a different surname. South Africa, the United States, Brazil and Canada routinely ask for written consent at the border.
- A child travelling with grandparents, a family friend, on a school trip or with a sports team usually needs a notarised letter from both parents, with the child’s information, a full travel itinerary and confirmation the adults may make decisions during the trip.
- A parent with sole parental responsibility — through a court order, Child Arrangements Order or Specific Issue Order — may still need to carry supporting travel documents proving this, especially for countries with stricter entry requirements.
What Should the Consent Letter Include?
A comprehensive notarised travel consent should contain the child’s full name exactly as it appears on their passport, their date of birth, passport number and birth certificate reference if available. Where the child has a different surname from the travelling parent, a marriage certificate or other evidence explaining the difference should accompany the letter.
Full details of the trip are essential: the destination country, dates of travel, itinerary and the address where the child will be staying. The letter should name every adult responsible for the child and include their passport details and contact information, plus the consenting parent’s full name, address, email address and phone number, and a clear statement granting permission. Where the other parent is deceased, a death certificate should be provided.
Our free online builder lays all of this out for you before your appointment.
UK Law on Child Travel Consent
Under UK law there is no formal legal requirement to carry a consent letter when a child leaves the United Kingdom. However, official GOV.UK travel advice strongly recommends that anyone travelling with a child who is not their own, or where one parent is absent, should carry a letter of permission. Border officials in the UK and abroad may refuse entry or cause significant delays if proper documentation is not available.
Under family law in England and Wales, any person with parental responsibility can take a child abroad for up to 28 days without the other parent’s consent, unless a court order prevents it. If one parent objects, they can apply for a Specific Issue Order or Child Arrangements Order through the family court, so where there is a dispute it is advisable to seek legal advice before travelling. Our guide to taking a child abroad with one parent explains this in full.
Which Countries Require Notarised Consent?
South Africa requires a full unabridged birth certificate and notarised consent from the absent parent. The United States and Canada frequently ask for consent letters, particularly for children travelling with one parent or a non-parent. Brazil requires notarised and apostilled consent, and many European countries may check documentation for unaccompanied or partly accompanied children.
Even where it is not a strict legal requirement, carrying notarised travel documents is strongly advised — border authorities exercise discretion, and proper consent letters significantly reduce the risk of being stopped or denied entry. If your document also needs an apostille for use abroad, we can arrange this through our apostille service. Always check the specific requirements for your destination country before departure.
How to Get Your Letter Notarised
Book & prepare
Book online or by phone. Draft your letter or use our free builder, and gather ID and the child’s birth certificate.
Sign before the notary
Attend in person at Wigmore Street, or sign online by video call. The notary verifies identity and witnesses the signature.
Sealed & ready
We seal the letter and, if your destination needs it, arrange the apostille — ready well before departure.
Notarisation is a fixed fee of £125 + VAT (£150) per signature. A notarised letter should be dated close to the travel dates — we recommend notarising one to two weeks before departure.
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“South Africa asked for a notarised consent from my ex-husband. Edward Young sorted it in a single appointment and told me exactly which documents the airline would check. Faultless.”
“Booked the online video appointment from Manchester. Both parents joined the call and signed. The notarised letter arrived in good time for our trip to Brazil.”
Notarised Child Travel Consent — FAQs
Do I need a notarised letter if I am a single parent?
Yes, in most cases. Even with sole parental responsibility, many countries require proof of this along with a consent letter or court order. A notarised letter provides the strongest protection against delays.
Is notarisation a legal requirement in the UK?
No. Under UK law there is no formal requirement to carry a consent letter when leaving the country, but official travel advice strongly recommends one, and many destination countries — South Africa, the United States, Brazil — require it to be notarised.
Can a family friend take my child abroad?
Yes, but they will need a notarised letter from both parents, plus the child’s birth certificate, identification documents and full travel details. Some countries also require the accompanying adult to carry ID showing their relationship to the family.
How soon before travel should I notarise the letter?
Date the letter close to the travel dates and specific to the trip — an old notarised letter is generally not accepted. We recommend arranging notarisation one to two weeks before departure.
What if the other parent refuses to sign?
You may need to apply to the family court for a Specific Issue Order. Seek legal advice promptly, as court applications can take several weeks.
Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers
19 Wigmore Street, London W1U 1PH · 020 7499 2605 · notary@notarypubliclondon.co.uk · Contact us
Regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury · Member of The Notaries Society · STEP-qualified · ACSP-registered
Same-day notary appointments Monday–Friday, 09:00–17:30. In person or online by video call.
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