Do both parents need to sign?

If the child travels with a grandparent, aunt, uncle or friend, yes. USA.gov says both parents should sign when a child travels with a guardian or alone, and Canada asks every parent with custody or decision-making responsibility who is not traveling to sign. If only one parent is on the trip, the parent staying home signs. If one parent has sole custody, that parent signs and you carry a copy of the custody order.

What do I bring to the airport?

The child's passport and a copy of their birth certificate, which the State Department says to always bring. The original signed letter, notarized if you can, with a photocopy of each signing parent's signed passport or ID attached, which Canada asks for. Your own passport, with your name spelled the same way as on the letter. Save the parents' phone numbers in your phone.

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Consent Letter to Travel to Jamaica With a Child

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

TL;DR

When one parent travels, the State Department says Jamaica requires a notarized consent letter from the absent parent, or proof of sole custody instead.
We found no rule for a grandparent, relative or friend, so carry a notarized letter signed by both parents to be safe.
Copy our free consent letter template, then get it notarized. Grandparents and aunts: see traveling with grandchildren and taking a niece out of the country.
At a glance: with one parent, required (notarized). With a grandparent, relative or friend, carry a notarized one.

Traveling to Jamaica with one parent

The State Department says a notarized consent letter from the absent parent is required when one parent travels with a child, or proof of sole custody instead.

We could not find a Jamaican government page on this, so this rests on the State Department alone.

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

We found no official rule for a child traveling with a non-parent. Jamaica requires a notarized letter even when one parent travels (State Department), so carrying a notarized letter from both parents is the safe choice.

Does it need to be notarized?

Yes when one parent travels: the State Department says a notarized letter from the absent parent is required. We found no rule for non-parents, so notarize theirs too.

What to carry to Jamaica

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: US State Department: Jamaica

Common questions

Do I need a consent letter to take my child to Jamaica?: Yes if one parent travels. The State Department says a notarized consent letter from the absent parent is required when one parent travels with a child, or proof of sole custody instead. We could not find a Jamaican government page on this, so it rests on the State Department alone.
Does the letter for Jamaica need to be notarized?: Yes when one parent travels: the State Department says a notarized letter from the absent parent is required. We found no rule for non-parents, so notarize theirs too. See how notarization works.
Do both parents need to sign?: If the child travels with a grandparent, aunt, uncle or friend, yes. USA.gov says both parents should sign when a child travels with a guardian or alone, and Canada asks every parent with custody or decision-making responsibility who is not traveling to sign. If only one parent is on the trip, the parent staying home signs. If one parent has sole custody, that parent signs and you carry a copy of the custody order.
What do I bring to the airport?: The child's passport and a copy of their birth certificate, which the State Department says to always bring. The original signed letter, notarized if you can, with a photocopy of each signing parent's signed passport or ID attached, which Canada asks for. Your own passport, with your name spelled the same way as on the letter. Save the parents' phone numbers in your phone.

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.