If you're planning to travel internationally with a child, preparing a travel consent letter is often one of the last, but most important, items on your checklist.

Whether you're travelling with your own child after separation, sending your child on vacation with grandparents, or arranging an international school trip, having a properly prepared travel consent letter can help prevent unnecessary delays at airports and border crossings.

While the Government of Canada does not require a travel consent letter by law, it recommends that children travelling outside Canada without both parents or legal guardians carry one.

If you've never prepared one before, the process is usually straightforward.

This guide explains each step.

Step 1: Determine Whether You Need a Travel Consent Letter

The first step is deciding whether a consent letter is appropriate.

It is commonly recommended when a child is travelling internationally:

• with only one parent;

• with grandparents;

• with another family member;

• with friends;

• with a school or sports team; or

• alone.

If you're unsure whether your situation requires one, read our complete guide: Do I Need a Travel Consent Letter for a Child in Canada?

Step 2: Gather the Required Information

Before preparing the letter, gather the information you'll need.

This commonly includes:

• Child

  • full legal name

  • date of birth

  • passport number

• Travelling Adult

  • full legal name

  • relationship to the child

  • contact information

• Trip Details

  • destination

  • departure date

  • return date

  • flights (if available)

  • accommodation (if known)

• Parent Giving Consent

  • legal name

  • address

  • telephone number

  • email address

Having this information ready makes preparing the document much easier.

For a detailed checklist, read: What Information Should Be Included in a Child Travel Consent Letter?

Step 3: Confirm Who Needs to Sign

One of the most common questions parents ask is:

The answer depends on your family's circumstances.

In many situations, the parent who is not travelling signs the document.

However, parenting agreements, court orders, and guardianship arrangements may affect who has authority to provide consent.

If your situation is more complex, you should review your legal arrangements before preparing the letter.

Step 4: Prepare the Travel Consent Letter

There is no mandatory Canadian form.

Many parents use the Government of Canada's sample consent letter as a starting point.

Others choose to have a lawyer prepare the document to ensure it reflects their family's specific circumstances.

The letter should clearly identify:

• who is travelling;

• where the child is travelling;

• travel dates;

• who is giving permission; and

• how the parent can be contacted.

A clear, well-organized letter is generally easier for airline and border officials to review.

Step 5: Have the Letter Signed

Do not sign the document before meeting with the notary if the signature is intended to be witnessed.

Instead:

• bring the unsigned document;

• bring valid government-issued photo identification; and

• sign the document in the notary's presence.

If the parent providing consent lives outside Calgary, or even outside Canada, the document can often still be signed before an authorized witness in that jurisdiction.

Step 6: Have the Signature Notarized

Although notarization is generally not legally required in Canada, the Government of Canada recommends that travel consent letters be witnessed by a notary public.

Many parents choose notarization because it helps demonstrate that:

• the parent's identity was verified;

• the signature was properly witnessed; and

• the document is authentic.

Learn more: Does a Travel Consent Letter Need to Be Notarized in Alberta?

Step 7: Keep the Original With You

Once the document has been signed and notarized, keep the original with your travel documents.

It's also a good idea to retain a digital copy for your records, but the original should accompany the travelling child whenever possible.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many travel issues arise because of simple mistakes.

Some of the most common include:

• signing before the notary appointment;

• using names that don't match the passport;

• forgetting travel dates;

• using an outdated letter from a previous trip;

• leaving out destinations;

• forgetting supporting documents;

• assuming every country has the same requirements.

Preparing the document a few weeks before departure gives you time to correct any issues before travelling.

What Other Documents Might You Need?

Depending on your circumstances, you may also wish to carry:

• the child's passport;

• birth certificate;

• parenting agreement;

• parenting order;

• death certificate (where applicable);

• visa documents; and

• destination-specific travel documents.

Every country has its own requirements, so it's important to review them before departure.

How Bridgestone Law Can Help

Preparing a travel consent letter is often straightforward, but every family's circumstances are different.

At Bridgestone Law, we offer a streamlined Travel Consent Letter Service for families throughout Calgary and Alberta.

Our process is designed to make obtaining a professionally prepared and notarized travel consent letter as simple as possible.

Our service includes:

• lawyer-prepared travel consent letter;

• flat-rate pricing;

• notary appointment;

• review of identification;

• notarization of the parent's signature.

• Parents can begin the process online by completing our secure intake form.