Do both parents need to sign?

When one parent travels, the parent who stays home signs. When the child travels with a grandparent, relative or friend, Canada says every parent or person with decision-making responsibility who is not traveling should sign, together on one letter or on separate letters. A parent with sole custody signs alone and carries the custody order.

What do I bring to the airport?

Each child's passport and a copy of their birth certificate, the original consent letter signed by the parent or parents who are not traveling, a photocopy of each signer's signed passport or ID attached to the letter, plus the parents' phone numbers saved in your phone. IRCC says the officer may not ask for these documents, but it strongly recommends that you bring them.

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Consent Letter for Children Travelling to Canada: What to Carry

By Tanika Hall · Rules checked against official sources on 29 October 2026

TL;DR

Canada says a consent letter is not legally required, but immigration officers, airline agents and Canadian officials may ask for one, so carry it. Notarizing it is not required but strongly recommended.
A child traveling with a grandparent, relative or friend needs written permission from the parents and will not be admitted if the officer is not convinced the parents authorized the stay.
The letter should give the absent parent's address and phone number, with a photocopy of their signed passport or ID attached, in English or French if possible.
Canada publishes a sample consent letter (interactive PDF and Word versions). You can also copy our free consent letter template.
At a glance: with one parent, strongly recommended. With a grandparent, relative or friend, required (permission letter).

Traveling to Canada with one parent

Canada says a consent letter is not legally required, but immigration officers, airline agents and Canadian officials may ask for one. Canada's border agency says to carry one if you share custody and the other parent is not traveling, and the State Department says the agency requires a letter of authorization when you travel without full custody. Notarization is not required but strongly recommended. Bring the original; border officials may not accept photocopies or digital versions.

IRCC asks that the letter include the absent parent's address and phone number and a photocopy of their signed passport or national ID card, in English or French if possible. Canada recommends a consent letter even if a court order lets one parent make travel decisions alone: a sole-custody parent signs the letter themselves and brings the custody order, and should still get the other parent's letter whenever possible or safe.

Traveling to Canada with a grandparent, aunt, uncle or friend

Canada says children traveling with adults other than their parents or legal guardians need proof of permission from their parents, will be checked more closely and may be refused entry if the officer is not convinced the parents authorized the trip. Every parent who is not traveling should sign, together on one letter or on separate letters, with their addresses and phone numbers and a copy of their signed passports or ID cards attached. The letter does not need to be certified, but Canada's border agency recommends notarizing it to avoid delays.

What should a parent authorization letter to travel to Canada say?

Canada says there are no official guidelines for the content and format of a consent letter, but that a letter usually includes:

the child's name
the names and contact details of the parents or the people with decision-making responsibility
the accompanying adult's full name, address, contact details and relationship to the child
the destination, how long the trip is and the specific dates

For a child entering Canada with one parent, IRCC says the letter of authorization should include the non-traveling parent's address and telephone number and a photocopy of that parent's signed passport or national identity card. For a child with an adult who is not a parent, the written permission should give addresses and phone numbers where the parents can be reached, with a photocopy of the parents' signed passports or ID cards attached. Canada says siblings from the same family may be listed on one letter.

Canada's sample consent letter

The Government of Canada publishes its own template on its consent letter page: an interactive PDF you fill in on screen and a printable Word version you complete by hand. It is written for Canadian children leaving Canada, but IRCC asks for the same details (names, addresses, phone numbers and a copy of the signed ID) when a child enters Canada, so you can use it or copy our free consent letter template, which has the same fields plus medical permission.

Who should sign

Canada says the letter should be signed by any parent or other person with decision-making responsibility for the child who is not on the trip, whether the parents are married, in a common-law relationship, separated or divorced. Canada says any adult may witness the signing, but it strongly recommends that a notary public witness it. If one parent has died, the surviving parent signs and brings a copy of the death certificate. Originals are best: Canada says border officials may question photocopies or digital versions.

Does it need to be notarized?

Canada does not require it but strongly recommends it when one parent travels, and Canada's border agency recommends notarizing a non-parent's letter to avoid delays. Bring the original, since border officials may not accept copies.

What to carry to Canada

each child's passport and a copy of their birth certificate
the original consent letter, signed by the parent or parents who are not traveling, and a spare
copies of each signer's signed passport or ID, attached to the letter
the parents' phone numbers saved in your phone

Grandparents and aunts have their own guides: traveling with grandchildren internationally and can I take my niece out of the country?

Sources: Government of Canada: consent letter for children travelling outside Canada · IRCC: minor children travelling to Canada · Canada Border Services Agency: travel documents · US State Department: Canada · Government of Canada: travelling with children

Common questions

Is a consent letter required for children travelling to Canada?: Canada says a consent letter is not legally required, but immigration officers, airline agents and Canadian officials may ask for one. Canada's border agency says to carry one if you share custody and the other parent is not traveling. A child with an adult who is not a parent will not be admitted if the officer is not convinced the parents authorized the stay, so bring the original letter.
What should a parent authorization letter to travel to Canada say?: Canada says a letter usually includes the child's name, the parents' names and contact details, the accompanying adult's full name, address, contact details and relationship to the child, plus the destination and dates. IRCC adds the absent parent's address and phone number and a photocopy of their signed passport or ID, in English or French if possible. Our free template covers all of it.
Do both parents need to sign?: When one parent travels, the parent who stays home signs. When the child travels with a grandparent, relative or friend, Canada says every parent or person with decision-making responsibility who is not traveling should sign, together on one letter or on separate letters. A parent with sole custody signs alone and carries the custody order.
Does the letter for Canada need to be notarized?: Canada does not require it but strongly recommends that a notary public witness the signing, and Canada's border agency recommends notarizing a non-parent's letter to avoid delays. Bring the original, since border officials may question copies or digital versions. See how notarization works.
What do I bring to the airport?: Each child's passport and a copy of their birth certificate, the original consent letter signed by the parent or parents who are not traveling, a photocopy of each signer's signed passport or ID attached to the letter, plus the parents' phone numbers saved in your phone. IRCC says the officer may not ask for these documents, but it strongly recommends that you bring them.

Want the letters ready to fill in? The Child Travel Consent Kit has Letter A for one parent traveling, Letter B for a grandparent, relative or friend, a notarization checklist and notes for ten destinations. Get the kit for $14.

Related guides

This guide explains what official sources say. It is not legal advice, and border officers apply the rules on the day. Check the linked source and your airline's own rules before you fly, and talk to a family law attorney if there is a custody order or a dispute.