What is a travel consent letter?
A travel consent letter is a signed statement in which a parent or legal guardian gives permission for a child to travel, often when the child is traveling with only one parent, with a relative, with a group, or alone. It typically names the child, the accompanying adult, the destination and dates, and the contact details of the consenting parent or parents.
Airlines, border officials, and some group organizers ask for a notarized consent letter to help confirm that the trip is authorized. Notarization adds proof that the named parent or guardian actually signed the letter.
Can it be notarized online?
Yes, in most cases. New Jersey allows a minor travel consent letter to be notarized over live video. The consenting parent or guardian appears on camera, presents ID, and signs while a commissioned notary completes the certificate.
Acceptance is up to the authority reviewing the letter. Airlines and border officials in different countries have their own rules about what a consent letter must contain and how it must be signed. Confirm the requirements with your airline and destination country before you travel.
What you'll need
- Your unsigned consent letter as a PDF, with the child, travel, and adult details filled in. Do not sign it in advance.
- A valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID for each signing parent or guardian.
- A device with a working camera and microphone.
- A stable internet connection and a quiet, well-lit space.
- Both parents available if the letter or authority requires both signatures.
How BKS Notary helps
You meet a commissioned New Jersey notary in a live video session. The notary confirms each signer's identity, watches each parent or guardian sign, administers any required oath, and completes the notarial certificate on the record.
You receive a tamper-evident, sealed PDF to carry or share with the airline and travel companions. The audio-video recording and notarial record are retained in line with New Jersey's requirements.
What the notary does not do
The notary verifies identity, witnesses the signature, and completes the certificate. The notary does not give legal advice, does not write the consent letter for you, and does not decide what the letter should say.
The notary cannot guarantee that an airline or border official will accept the finished letter, since those rules vary by carrier and country. Confirm the requirements yourself before you travel.
Common issues
- Already signed. The notary must watch you sign. Bring a clean, unsigned copy.
- Missing details. Fill in the child's name, travel dates, destination, and accompanying adult before the session.
- One parent when two are needed. Some authorities want both parents to consent. Check before you book.
- Name mismatch. Each signer's name should match their ID. Contact us first if it does not.
Frequently asked questions
Can a travel consent letter be notarized online?
Yes, in most cases. New Jersey allows a minor travel consent letter to be notarized over live video. The parent or guardian signs on camera in front of the notary. Airlines, border officials, and other authorities may have their own requirements, so confirm before you travel.
Do both parents need to sign?
That depends on your situation and the authority that will review the letter. When a child travels with one parent or another adult, the absent parent or parents often sign the consent. Each parent who needs to be notarized appears on camera with valid ID.
Will this letter be accepted at the border?
We cannot guarantee acceptance. Border and airline rules vary by country and carrier. A notarized consent letter is commonly requested, but you should confirm the exact requirements with the airline and the destination country before you travel.
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Meet a commissioned New Jersey notary online and get your travel consent letter sealed today.
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