Author: Law365 Co-op Student
Letting your child travel domestically or abroad can be a difficult decision if both guardians are not accompanying them. When you choose to allow your child to travel, you want to make sure they are protected. When a child is traveling with one parent, with friends, or alone, the Government of Canada recommends they travel with a consent letter.
When traveling with your child, it is important to bring the following documents:
Passport;
Photocopy of their Birth Certificate;
A letter of authorization signed by the non-accompanying parent;
A photocopy of the non-accompanying parent’s passport.
Custody papers should also be brought in cases where the child’s parents are separated or divorced, and one of them has sole custody.
There is no set format regarding what should be included in a consent letter. At its most basic, the letter has to state that legal consent has been given by the non-accompanying parent. It must also include the non-accompanying parent’s signature and the date of execution. However, it can be incredibly helpful to include specific details about the trip. These details can include, but are not limited to:
The location(s) the child is traveling to and the address(es) where they will be staying;
The departure and return dates;
Contact information for the accompanying parent (if applicable), or contact information for parents if traveling alone.
A notarized consent letter is recommended, as some foreign governments will not take the document as proof if it is not notarized. Seeking legal advice when preparing the letter is a reliable way to protect against unwanted issues in the future.
Throughout the years, cases of international child abduction have increased with single parents taking children to other countries. If this has happened to you, the Government of Canada recommends contacting the Emergency Watch and Response Centre. Canadian officials cannot represent you or give you legal advice in foreign countries. This means you should also contact the authorities, as well as a lawyer, in the relevant jurisdiction.
Here at LAW365, a clear and thorough Travel Consent Letter can be drafted to help ensure that there is no misunderstanding and both parents' rights are protected.
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