Consent Letter to Travel to Costa Rica With a Child
The short answer: We found no rule that a US-only tourist child needs a letter or a notary, with one parent or with another adult, but carry a letter anyway. If your child was born in Costa Rica or holds Costa Rican nationality, they need an exit permit from Costa Rican immigration to leave. That permit needs a notarized special power of attorney when a parent cannot appear in person.
At a glance: with one parent, carry one anyway. With a grandparent, relative or friend, carry one anyway.
Traveling to Costa Rica with one parent
Costa Rican children, including dual nationals, need an exit permit from Costa Rican immigration to leave the country (resident children may also need one), and the State Department says this is strictly enforced. Every child born in Costa Rica is a Costa Rican citizen. We found no rule for a US-only tourist child.
If your child was born in Costa Rica or holds Costa Rican nationality, sort out the exit permit before the trip.
Traveling to Costa Rica with a grandparent, aunt, uncle or friend
We found no rule for a US-only tourist child traveling with a non-parent. Costa Rican children, including dual nationals, need an exit permit from Costa Rican immigration, which the State Department says is strictly enforced.
Does it need to be notarized?
We found no requirement for a US-only tourist child. Costa Rican children, including dual nationals, need an exit permit from Costa Rican immigration, which requires a notarized special power of attorney when a parent cannot appear in person.
What to carry to Costa Rica
- 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
Sources: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería: exit permits · US State Department: Costa Rica
Common questions
- Do I need a consent letter to take my child to Costa Rica?
- Costa Rican children, including dual nationals, need an exit permit from Costa Rican immigration to leave the country (resident children may also need one), and the State Department says this is strictly enforced. Every child born in Costa Rica is a Costa Rican citizen. We found no rule for a US-only tourist child.
- What does a grandparent or aunt need to travel to Costa Rica with a child?
- We found no rule for a US-only tourist child traveling with a non-parent. Costa Rican children, including dual nationals, need an exit permit from Costa Rican immigration, which the State Department says is strictly enforced.
- Does the letter for Costa Rica need to be notarized?
- We found no requirement for a US-only tourist child. Costa Rican children, including dual nationals, need an exit permit from Costa Rican immigration, which requires a notarized special power of attorney when a parent cannot appear in person.
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
- Do You Need a Consent Letter to Travel With a Child?
- Does a Child Travel Consent Letter Need to Be Notarized?
- Dual Citizen Kids: Exit Permits and Permission Rules Abroad
- Traveling Abroad With Your Grandchildren: The Letter You Need
- Consent Letter to Travel to Mexico With a Child
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.