Traveling with one parent
When a child travels abroad with only one parent, the other parent’s notarized consent helps avoid questions at check-in and border control.
Mobile & Online Notary
Notarized Travel Consent Letters & International Notary Services
Get your child travel consent form, DS-3053 passport consent, power of attorney for use abroad or apostille documents notarized at your home, office or online, anywhere in the U.S. — often the same day, so nothing holds up your trip.
Same-day & weekend appointments
Nationwide mobile & online service
Price shown before you book
Child travel consent
When do you need a notarized travel consent letter?
A child travel consent letter shows that a minor has permission from their parent or legal guardian to travel. U.S. Customs and Border Protection recommends one whenever a child travels internationally with only one parent or with other adults, and many airlines and countries ask for it. Having it notarized makes the signature verifiable and the letter far harder to question.
Grandparents, relatives or friends
Any adult traveling with a child who isn’t their parent or legal guardian should carry consent from the parents.
School, sports & church trips
Group leaders and chaperones often require a signed and notarized consent form for each student.
Unaccompanied minors
Airlines and destination countries may ask for parental consent when a child flies alone.
Separated or divorced parents
Shared custody makes notarized consent especially important. Bring your custody order if it applies.
Medical authorization while abroad
Add a notarized medical consent so the accompanying adult can approve treatment if needed.
Checklist
What to include in a child travel consent form
A complete letter answers every question a border officer or airline agent might ask. Requirements differ by destination, so confirm with the country’s embassy or consulate before you travel.
- Child’s full legal name, date of birth and passport number
- Destination country, cities and travel dates
- Name and passport details of the accompanying adult
- Each consenting parent’s name, address and phone number
- Permission for travel and, if needed, medical treatment
- Signatures of the consenting parent(s) in front of a notary
International notary services
Documents for use in another country
Whether you’re buying property overseas, applying for dual citizenship or managing affairs for family abroad, we notarize your documents so they’re ready for the next step.
Apostille preparation
We notarize your documents correctly so they’re ready for the Secretary of State to issue an apostille. [We can also submit them for you.]
Power of attorney for use abroad
Authorize someone to sell property, manage accounts or act for you in another country.
Affidavits & sworn declarations
Statements for foreign consulates, immigration offices and overseas courts.
Dual citizenship & residency paperwork
Notarized forms and declarations for citizenship, visas and foreign residency applications.
International business documents
Corporate resolutions, contracts and certificates for overseas banks and partners.
Signers outside the U.S.
Remote Online Notarization may let you sign from abroad. Ask us whether it works for your document.
Apostille & authentication
How the apostille process works
An apostille certifies a notarized document so it’s accepted in the more than 120 countries that belong to the Hague Apostille Convention. Here’s how a document gets from your signature to an official abroad.
- 01
Notarize the document
A commissioned notary verifies your identity and notarizes your signature at your door or online.
- 02
State apostille or certification
The Secretary of State in the state where the document was notarized issues the apostille. [We can submit it for you.]
- 03
Embassy legalization, if needed
Countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention usually need an extra step through their embassy or consulate.
Prices
Travel consent & international notary pricing
Online travel consent & DS-3053
$75Travel consent letter or Form DS-3053 passport consent. Each parent signs by secure video, even from different places.
Mobile travel consent & DS-3053
$149Travel consent letter or Form DS-3053 passport consent. We come to your home or office anywhere in the U.S. [Travel fees may vary by location.]
Apostille preparation
$299Notarization plus [state submission]. State fees billed separately.
Book online
Book your travel consent notary today
Tell us what you need notarized and when. We’ll confirm your appointment and price right away.
FAQ
Travel consent & apostille questions
Still unsure what you need? Call 1-877-618-OPAL and we’ll point you in the right direction before you book.
Does a child travel consent letter need to be notarized?
It isn’t always legally required, but a notarized letter carries far more weight. Border officers, airlines and foreign governments can confirm the signature is genuine, and some countries and carriers ask for notarization. Requirements vary, so check with your airline and your destination’s embassy.
What is Form DS-3053, and does it need a notary?
Form DS-3053, the Statement of Consent for issuing a U.S. passport to a child under 16, lets a parent or guardian who can’t attend the passport appointment give consent. It must be signed in front of a notary and submitted with the passport application along with a photocopy of the front and back of the ID shown to the notary. Download Form DS-3053 (PDF) from the U.S. Department of State.
Do both parents have to sign the travel consent form?
Usually, the parent or parents who are not traveling sign to give consent. If one parent is traveling, the other parent signs. If neither parent is traveling, both normally sign. Custody orders can change this, so bring any court documents that apply.
What if the other parent lives in another state or country?
Each parent can sign in front of a different notary, or sign online through Remote Online Notarization where it’s allowed. Contact us and we’ll help you plan the simplest option.
What do I need to bring to my appointment?
An unsigned travel consent letter, a valid government photo ID for each person signing, and the trip details: the child’s full name and date of birth, passport information, destination, travel dates and the accompanying adult’s name.
Can a notary write the travel consent letter for me?
Notaries can’t prepare legal documents or give legal advice. [We can share a sample template you can fill in], or you can have an attorney draft one for more complex situations.
What is an apostille, and do I need one?
An apostille is a certificate issued by a state’s Secretary of State that lets a document be accepted in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Many documents must be notarized first. Countries outside the convention usually require embassy legalization instead.
Can you notarize a copy of a birth certificate or passport?
Notaries can’t certify copies of vital records such as birth certificates. Order a certified copy from the vital records office in the state of birth. Rules for other document copies vary by state, so ask us first.
Can you notarize documents written in another language?
Often yes, as long as the notary can communicate directly with the signer and the notarial certificate is in English. Rules vary by state, so call us before booking.
Nationwide service
Travel notary services across the United States
Our network of mobile notaries serves families and travelers in all 50 states, and online notarization lets you sign from any state — or from abroad.
- Northeast
- Mid-Atlantic
- Southeast
- Midwest
- Texas & Southwest
- Mountain West
- West Coast
- Alaska & Hawaii
- Washington, D.C.