When you need one
It is usually asked for when the child is not travelling with both parents:
- The child travels with one parent only.
- The child travels with grandparents, another relative or a family friend.
- The child travels alone, as an unaccompanied minor.
- The child travels on a school, sports or church trip.
- The parents are separated or divorced and one has to authorize the trip.
What the letter usually contains
Airlines, consulates and border authorities each have their own expectations, but a consent letter normally names the child and their date of birth, names the parent or guardian giving consent, names the adult travelling with the child, and states the destination and the dates.
Many countries want contact details for the parent staying behind. Some want the letter in their own language. Check with the airline and with the destination's consulate before your appointment, because they set the requirements, not me.
What I do
I verify the identity of the parent or guardian signing, witness the signature, and complete the notarial certificate. That is what turns the letter into a notarized document.
I cannot write the letter for you or tell you what it should say, because that would be legal advice. Bring it prepared, or use the model the airline or the consulate provides.
When both parents have to sign
If both parents are giving consent, both sign, and both need identification. They do not have to sign at the same time or in the same place: an online session solves the classic problem of two parents with schedules that never overlap, or one parent living in another state or country.
If the trip is abroad
Some countries accept the notarized letter as it is. Others want an apostille on top, which is issued by the Florida Department of State. If your destination requires one, I notarize the letter and help you file for the apostille in time for the trip.
Plan ahead in summer and around the holidays, when both travel and state processing slow down.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a notarized letter legally required?
- It depends on the airline and the destination, not on Florida law. Many require it and some do not, but border officers frequently ask for it. It is the cheapest insurance you can get before a trip.
- Can we do it online?
- Yes. A remote online session works well here, especially when the parents are in different places.
- Can you write the consent letter?
- No. I notarize the letter you bring. The airline or the destination's consulate usually publishes a model you can use.
- Does the child need to be there?
- No. Only the parent or guardian who signs needs to attend, with valid photo identification.
- Can the letter be in Spanish?
- Yes, and many consulates prefer it. The notarial certificate itself goes in English, and I can handle the whole appointment in Spanish.