Traveling internationally with a minor can be stressful. However, it becomes even more complicated if the child is traveling without both parents present. Therefore, carrying a notarized Consent to Travel Letter is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent delays at the border.
At Notary Lawyer Scarborough, we specialize in drafting and notarizing travel consent forms that meet the strict standards of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and foreign border authorities.
Services start at just $30.
A Consent to Travel Letter (also known as a Parental Consent Form) is a document that demonstrates that a child has permission to travel abroad from every parent or guardian who is not accompanying them.
Although it is not strictly a legal requirement in Canada, the Government of Canada strongly recommends carrying one. Without it, border officials may refuse the child entry or exit, fearing child abduction or trafficking.
Specifically, you should have this document if a child (under the age of majority) is traveling:
With one parent: The parent staying behind must sign the letter.
Alone: For example, flying to visit grandparents or attending a school exchange.
With a non-parent: Such as a grandparent, aunt/uncle, friend, or sports coach.
With a group: School trips, religious tours, or competitions.
Technically, Canadian law does not mandate notarization. However, border officials are trained to look for the seal of a Notary Public.
Consequently, a simple letter signed at home is often viewed with suspicion. In contrast, a notarized letter acts as “super-evidence” that the signature is genuine and the parents truly consented. Therefore, we highly recommend notarization to ensure a smooth trip.
We offer two convenient options for parents in Scarborough and the GTA:
If you have already downloaded the recommended form from the Government of Canada website, simply bring it to us.
Requirement: The parent giving consent must sign the document in our presence. Please do not sign it beforehand.
Alternatively, if you are unsure what to write, we can draft the letter for you. Specifically, we ensure it includes all critical details:
The child’s passport and birth certificate information.
The accompanying adult’s details (Passport/ID).
Travel dates, destinations, and contact info for the non-traveling parent.
Cannot leave the house? We can come to you with our Mobile Notary service, or in some cases, verify the consent via Online Documents Certification.
To ensure a quick visit, please bring the following:
Government-issued photo ID of the parent signing the letter (e.g., Driver's License, Passport).
A copy of the child’s birth certificate or passport details.
Flight numbers, dates, and the address of where the child will be staying.
If applicable, bring any custody documents or court orders that prove you have the right to give consent.
Generally, only the non-traveling parent needs to sign. However, if neither parent is traveling (e.g., the child is with a grandparent), then both parents should sign the letter.
In that case, you should carry proof. For instance, if a parent is deceased, carry a copy of the death certificate. Furthermore, if you have a court order granting sole custody and decision-making power, you should carry that legal document.
Ideally, the letter should be dated close to the travel date. Moreover, some countries require the letter to be less than 6 months old. We recommend getting a new letter for every international trip to avoid confusion.
Don’t let paperwork ground your vacation. Visit Notary Lawyer Scarborough today.
Call Us: +1 (416) 840-7534
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