Travel Consent Letters

with Ritu Horra

Travel Consent Letters Video Transcript

Please note: The script may not be exactly what is spoken, but contains the same information as presented in the video.

Hello everyone, in this video blog we will be discussing travel consent letters. These letters are required whenever a child under 18 is travelling internationally either by themselves, or without all of their parents or guardians. A child must have a letter from each of their custodial guardians. These letters function as proof that the custodial parents or guardians of the child have consented to the trip. In the context of a divorce or separation; even if a parent has sole custody, they must still obtain a travel consent letter from the access parent. Travel Consent letters are meant to be a form of protection against international child abduction, as they assure both the Canadian and foreign government that the child’s parents know where they are going and consent. Due to their importance, it is a very good idea to get these letters notarized; as a government may not accept a non-notarized letter as being good evidence of the parent’s consent.

There is no legal form which dictates precisely what should be contained in a travel consent letter. The most important aspect, obviously, is the signature of the parent and a statement that they are consenting to the trip. However, a better travel consent letter will provide certain details regarding the trip. Including departure times, locations and subsequent plans for return should be considered necessities by any responsible parent. Another important thing to consider if you are separated from the child’s other parent is the custody and access schedule. Vacations will often infringe on a parent’s scheduled time with the child. Their permission must be obtained; or there is the danger of being held in contempt of court. When approaching these topics it is important for both parents to stay respectful and reasonable. It is the child who suffers in such a scenario, and it is important for parents to keep that foremost in their minds when discussing travel issues.

A parent should seek the help of a lawyer when drafting or preparing to sign a travel consent letter. If the letter is too broad, it may create a confused situation in which one parent believes they can travel for a longer period than the other. A clear, detailed, and precise letter will ensure that there is no confusion and that both parents’ rights are protected.

That’s all for now, thank you for watching and I hope you’ve learned a little something about travel consent letters. For more information please visit our website at www.separation.ca.