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Planning a trip to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean with a child, but without the other parent? Or sending your kids with grandparents, an aunt, or a school group? A notarized minor travel consent letter can save a lot of stress at the border or the airline counter, and nobody wants a trip held up over a missing signature.
Notary Java makes it simple. We meet the parent who isn't traveling at home, at work, or at a café, notarize the letter in one visit, often as soon as the next day, and you're ready to go.
Why Get a Notarized Consent Letter?
A consent letter is strongly recommended. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recommends that a child traveling with only one parent, or with other adults, carry a consent letter signed by the absent parent or parents, and CBP suggests having it notarized. Border officers, airlines, and foreign governments may ask for it, and some countries have their own specific rules.
Not sure what your trip needs? Contact us and just ask: call or text 207-808-0550.
What a Typical Letter Includes
Common elements include:
- The child's full name, date of birth, and passport number
- The traveling adult's name and relationship to the child
- Destination and travel dates
- The absent parent's name, address, phone number, and signature
- A statement that the absent parent consents to the travel
Questions about your letter? Contact us and just ask: call or text 207-808-0550.
One Appointment, One Signature
Usually, the person who needs to sign is the parent who isn't traveling. That makes it simple:
- The absent parent books an appointment at home, at work, or at a café.
- They bring the unsigned letter and a current photo ID.
- We notarize the signature, typically with an acknowledgment.
- The traveling parent carries the original, and a copy is a good idea too.
If both parents are signing, perhaps because the child is traveling with a grandparent, we can notarize both signatures in one appointment.
When Parents Can't Meet
If the parents aren't on good terms, we can hold separate appointments at different times and places. See our post on separate appointments for co-parents.
Traveling Further Abroad?
Some countries want the consent letter apostilled. If so, we notarize the letter and handle the apostille completely for you, taking it up to the capital in Augusta at our scheduled appointment, where it's apostilled over our seal. Visit our apostille services page.
Where We Meet
We serve families in Portland, South Portland, Scarborough, Old Orchard Beach, Windham, Gorham, and beyond. Need the letter printed? Send it through our Upload Document Now button. Call or text 207-808-0550, and we'll have your letter notarized and ready for the trip.
Keep Reading
- Separate Notary Appointments for Co-Parents
- Child Passports With Separated Parents: DS-3053 Explained
- Apostilles for Marriage, Adoption, and Dual Citizenship
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my child need a notarized letter to fly to Canada?
CBP recommends a consent letter when a child travels without both parents and suggests having it notarized. Border officers may ask for one. Questions about your trip? Contact us and just ask: call or text 207-808-0550.
What should I bring?
The letter you'd like signed and a current photo ID. Questions? Contact us and just ask: call or text 207-808-0550.
Who signs the letter?
Usually the parent or parents who are not traveling with the child.
Do I need an apostille on a travel consent letter?
Some destination countries want one. If yours does, we handle the apostille completely for you. Just ask: call or text 207-808-0550.
Book Your Appointment
Call or text 207-808-0550 to schedule with Notary Java. We are based at 50 Market Street, #400, South Portland, ME 04106, and we come to you across Greater Portland, York and Cumberland counties, and beyond. If you need documents printed, use the Upload Document Now (Send Documents) button in our contact section, or email files to SigningService@NotaryJava.com. That inbox is for sending documents only, so please call or text to book.