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Children and Travel - FAQ
- What documents are required by a child travelling alone or with one parent or guardian?
- Why is it important to have proper travel documentation for my child and myself?
- What should I do if a custody dispute arises while my child is abroad?
- Can my child fly unaccompanied?
- How can I obtain proof of Canadian citizenship for a child born outside Canada?
- Where can I get more information on children and travel?
1. What documents are required by a child travelling alone or with one parent or guardian?
All children who travel abroad need a valid Canadian passport. Supporting identification may also include, but is not limited to, a birth certificate, citizenship certificate, landed immigrant records, or a certificate of Indian status. Check with the nearest embassy or consulate of the destination country regarding other documentation that may be required.
In addition, we strongly recommend that the following documents be carried, depending on the situation:
- A consent letter proving that the child travelling alone or with one parent or guardian has permission to travel from the non-accompanying lawful parent(s) or guardian. A consent letter may be required even if separation or divorce documents award custody of the child to an accompanying parent while the non-custodial parent has legal access or visiting rights to the child. A separate letter should be written for every trip abroad and include contact information for the parent(s) or guardian. A child of divorced or separated parents who is travelling without either parent could carry a single consent letter signed by both parents or two separate consent letters signed by each parent. It is advisable to have the consent letter certified, stamped, or sealed by an official who has the authority to administer an oath or solemn declaration, so that the validity of the letter will not be questioned. A sample consent letter is provided as a model.
- A copy of any separation, divorce, or custody decree.
- A copy of a court order granting guardianship, if a legal guardian is accompanying the child.
- A certified copy of the child's birth certificate, if only one parent's name appears on the birth certificate, and the child is travelling with the other parent.
- A certified copy of a death certificate, if one parent is deceased.
2. Why is it important to have proper travel documentation for my child and myself?
Foreign officials and transportation companies are vigilant concerning documentation for children crossing international borders. In addition, customs officers and other authorities (both inside and outside Canada) are looking for missing children and may ask questions. Make sure you carry the proper identification for yourself and any children travelling with you, including all documents required by authorities of the destination country and by Canadian authorities upon your return to Canada. Persons under 18 years of age are considered children.
3. What should I do if a custody dispute arises while my child is abroad?
If it is possible that a custody dispute might develop while your child is abroad, we recommend that you seek legal counsel before the child leaves Canada. You should also consult our publication entitled International Child Abductions: A Manual for Parents and our FAQs on Child Abductions and Custody Issues.
Your child custody arrangements in Canada may not be recognized in another country. In extreme cases, you or your child may not be allowed to leave that country. Confirm your and your child’s status with the country's embassy or consulate in Canada before travelling. With regard to custody questions, contact the department's Consular Case Management Division at 1-800-387-3124 (in Canada) or 613-943-1055.
4. Can my child fly unaccompanied?
Some airlines will escort and supervise an unaccompanied child from check-in through arrival. If your child is travelling alone, you should make advance arrangements with the airline. Check if there are restrictions for unaccompanied minors, such as age limits and exclusive acceptance on non-stop direct flights. Note that airlines require a parent or guardian to stay at the airport until the flight has departed. The person greeting the child at the point of arrival must have appropriate identification and authorization.
5. How can I obtain proof of citizenship for a child born outside Canada?
See our FAQ on Birth Abroad.6. Where can I get more information on children and travel?
See our other FAQs on children’s issues, including Child Welfare, Child Abductions and Custody Issues, and International Adoptions, as well as our publications on children’s issues.
