
What should a parental consent letter include?
- Who is being granted permission (the chaperone's name), and who the permission is for (the child's name)
- What the permission is for, such as to receive medical care (specific information on any allergies, medications, or pertinent medical history for the child should also be included), or to travel to a specific place
- When the forms become effective (the start date), and when the effectiveness of the forms will end (the end date)
- Where the child is traveling to, for how long, and where the child will be staying
- Why the child is staying with someone else, or traveling alone or with a group (e.g. the parents are going on a vacation or business trip, or the child is going on a school trip)
What if I have sole custody?
Should I notarize my child consent forms?
- Registry offices
- Town or city hall
- Military bases
- College or university campuses
- Courthouses
What do I need to give consent for my child to travel?
Children traveling with one parent
Children traveling without parents
Aside from notarizing the consent letter, the CBP also recommends that the letter stay current. A new consent letter should be made for every new event where it would be required. For example, if your child stayed with their grandparents during the summer last year, and they are staying with their grandparents again this summer, it is recommended that you create a new consent letter.