International travel documents for children

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr"> <head> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://script.crazyegg.com" crossorigin> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://www.googletagmanager.com" crossorigin> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="es" href="https://www.usa.gov/es/requisitos-viaje-ninos-menores-de-edad" data-type="altlang" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://www.usa.gov/travel-documents-children" data-type="conlang" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.usa.gov/travel-documents-children" /> <title>International travel documents for children | USAGov</title> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_rod7lQL1Bh0COmwjHEgOobQqnj5JjlwDJmPCZEpr3t8.css?delta=0&language=en&theme=usagov&include=eJxFjFEKxCAMRC9kmyNJbIINxChGW7z9bvux-zMM7w3DNmSsyCUxwYFtSLXQsGPu2E4H6rOh7n-yT2szqfjJFHz54AIJncN0jEhFLPpYyg5lqaQH53pB1ppQt0eJ5S-9yePvNR61tGpsw-OBnRzewfb2cAnfDm_updJU_gDLnEg8" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/modules/contrib/uswds_paragraph_components/modules/uswds_paragraph_components_cards/css/uswds-paragraph-components-cards.css?sszk1r" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_f0OwVUEWiVAiYQfVsiJOmi3O7XQDeDGH-a-APc4o-No.css?delta=2&language=en&theme=usagov&include=eJxFjFEKxCAMRC9kmyNJbIINxChGW7z9bvux-zMM7w3DNmSsyCUxwYFtSLXQsGPu2E4H6rOh7n-yT2szqfjJFHz54AIJncN0jEhFLPpYyg5lqaQH53pB1ppQt0eJ5S-9yePvNR61tGpsw-OBnRzewfb2cAnfDm_updJU_gDLnEg8" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_RS0lu12kxAKVlYtiIn6qpAq__BevSHCXAmcrTugppls.css?delta=3&language=en&theme=usagov&include=eJxFjFEKxCAMRC9kmyNJbIINxChGW7z9bvux-zMM7w3DNmSsyCUxwYFtSLXQsGPu2E4H6rOh7n-yT2szqfjJFHz54AIJncN0jEhFLPpYyg5lqaQH53pB1ppQt0eJ5S-9yePvNR61tGpsw-OBnRzewfb2cAnfDm_updJU_gDLnEg8" /> <script id="taxonomy-data"> dataLayer = [{ "nodeID": "826", "language": "en", "homepageTest": "not_homepage", "basicPagesubType": "Standard Page", "contentType": "basic_page", "Page_Type": "Content Page", "Taxonomy_Text_1": "Home", "Taxonomy_Text_2": "Travel", "Taxonomy_Text_3": "Travel documents for children", "Taxonomy_Text_4": "Travel documents for children", "Taxonomy_Text_5": "Travel documents for children", "Taxonomy_Text_6": "Travel documents for children", "Taxonomy_URL_1": "/", "Taxonomy_URL_2": "/travel", "Taxonomy_URL_3": "/travel-documents-children", "Taxonomy_URL_4": "/travel-documents-children", "Taxonomy_URL_5": "/travel-documents-children", "Taxonomy_URL_6": "/travel-documents-children", "hasBenefitCategory": false }]; </script>  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-W8LW6DB');</script>  <meta name="description" content="Know what documents a child needs to travel to or from the U.S. All children, including infants, must have their own travel documents." />  <link rel="icon" href="/themes/custom/usagov/images/Favicon_USAGov.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="/themes/custom/usagov/images/Favicon_USAGov.png">  <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.usa.gov/travel-documents-children" /> <meta property="og:type" content="website" /> <meta property="og:title" content="International travel documents for children | USAGov" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Know what documents a child needs to travel to or from the U.S. All children, including infants, must have their own travel documents." /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.usa.gov/themes/custom/usagov/images/Logo_USAGov.png" /> <meta property="og:image:secure_url" content="https://www.usa.gov/themes/custom/usagov/images/Logo_USAGov.png" /> <meta name="referrer" content="no-referrer-when-downgrade" />  <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "url": "https://usa.gov/", "logo": "https://www.usa.gov/themes/custom/usagov/images/Logo_USAGov.png" } </script> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Non-U.S. citizen children traveling to the U.S.", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "<p>All children, including infants, must have their own travel documents, such as a passport or visa to enter the U.S.</p><p>Additionally, if the child is traveling alone, with only one of their custodial parents, or with a guardian to the U.S., they should have:</p><ul><li>Documents that their country requires for children traveling outside their country without both parents<ul><li>Each country has its own rules for the specific documents it requires for a child to be allowed to leave their home country without both of their custodial parents or with a guardian. Contact <a href=\"https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/consularnotification/ConsularNotificationandAccess.html\">the embassy or consulate of the country the child is a citizen of</a> to find out what specific documents the country requires to allow the child to leave their country.</li></ul></li><li>A letter of consent, preferably in English and notarized, from the other parent or signed by both custodial parents.聽<ul><li>The letter should say: \"I acknowledge that my child is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission.\"</li><li>A parent who frequently crosses the border by land with a minor should always carry a letter of permission from the other parent.</li><li>A parent with sole custody of the child they are traveling with should carry a copy of the custody document.</li></ul></li></ul><p>If your child is traveling alone by air, the airline may require you to submit an unaccompanied minor form and pay a fee for unaccompanied minor service. This service provides an airline employee escort for your child at the airport and on board the plane. In addition, you and the person picking your child up at their destination may also need to provide the airline with identification and contact information.</p><p>Contact your airline before your child鈥檚 trip to find out:</p><ul><li>What age requirements the airline has for their unaccompanied minor service</li><li>If you can book a ticket with a connecting flight</li><li>What documents and fees are required</li></ul>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "U.S. citizen children traveling outside the U.S.", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "<p>Children traveling to most other countries are required to have a U.S. passport.聽</p><p><a href=\"/child-passport\">Learn how to get a passport for a minor under 18.</a></p><p>Depending on the country, the child may also need a visa and other travel documents. <a href=\"https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html\">Search for the country the child will be visiting to find out what documentation that country requires.</a></p><h3><strong>Providing parental consent when a child travels without both custodial parents</strong></h3><p>Ports of entry in many countries have security measures to prevent <a href=\"https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/International-Parental-Child-Abduction.html\">international child abduction</a>. If your child is traveling alone or with only one parent or legal guardian, they may need a letter of consent from the other custodial parent.聽</p><ul><li>The letter of consent, preferably in English and notarized, from the other parent (if the child is traveling with one custodial parent) or signed by both parents (if the child is traveling with a guardian or alone) should say: \"I acknowledge that my child is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission.\"</li></ul><p>Additionally, if a minor is traveling abroad alone:</p><ul><li><a href=\"https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/consularnotification/ConsularNotificationandAccess.html\">Contact the embassy or consulate of the country your child will be visiting</a> and ask about entry and exit requirements for that country.</li><li>The airline may require you to submit an unaccompanied minor form and pay them a fee for unaccompanied minor service. This service provides an airline employee escort for your child at the airport and on board the plane. In addition, you and the person picking your child up at their destination may also need to provide the airline with identification and contact information.<ul><li>Contact your airline before your child鈥檚 trip to find out:<ul><li>What age requirements the airline has for their unaccompanied minor service</li><li>If you can book a ticket with a connecting flight</li><li>What documents and fees are required</li></ul></li></ul></li></ul>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "U.S. citizen children traveling to Canada or Mexico", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "<h3>Traveling by air</h3><p>All U.S. citizen children who are traveling by air to Canada or Mexico must have a U.S. passport or Trusted Traveler Program card.聽</p><h3>Traveling by land or sea</h3><ul><li>Under age 16: present the child鈥檚<ul><li>U.S. passport, or</li><li>An original or a certified copy of their birth certificate, or</li><li>A Certificate of Naturalization, or聽</li><li>A Consular Report of Birth Abroad聽</li></ul></li><li>Age 16 or over: show a U.S. passport or Trusted Traveler Program card</li></ul><h3>Parental consent documentation for travel to Canada and Mexico</h3><p>A child traveling with only one custodial parent or a guardian or who is traveling alone may need to present a written letter of consent at the border.聽</p><ul><li>The letter of consent, preferably in English and notarized, from the other parent (if the child is traveling with one custodial parent) or signed by both parents (if the child is traveling with a guardian or alone) should say: \"I acknowledge that my child is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission.\"</li></ul>" } } ] } </script> </head> <body>  <noscript><iframe title="GTM" sandbox src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-W8LW6DB" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <a href="#skip-to-h1" class="usa-skipnav usa-sr-only focusable"> Skip to main content </a> <div class="usa-overlay"></div> <header class="usa-header usa-header--extended" id="header"> <div class="usa-banner-inner"> <div> <section class="usa-banner" aria-label="An official website of the United States government" id="usagov-banner"> <div class="usa-accordion"> <div class="usa-banner__header" role="banner"> <div class="usa-banner__inner"> <div class="grid-col-auto"> <img aria-hidden="true" class="usa-banner__header-flag" src="/themes/custom/usagov/images/favicon-57.png" alt="U.S Flag" /> </div> <div class="grid-col-fill tablet:grid-col-auto"> <p class="usa-banner__header-text"> An official website of the United States government </p> <p class="usa-banner__header-action usa-banner__header-action-mobile">Here's how you know</p> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="16" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="16" class="usa-banner_expand_arrow usa-banner__header-action"> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M16.59 8.59L12 13.17 7.41 8.59 6 10l6 6 6-6z"/> </svg> </div> <button type="button" class="usa-accordion__button usa-banner__button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="gov-banner-default"> <span class="usa-banner__button-text">Here's how you know</span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="16" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="16" class="usa-banner_expand_arrow usa-banner__button-text"> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M16.59 8.59L12 13.17 7.41 8.59 6 10l6 6 6-6z"/> </svg> </button> </div> </div> <div class="usa-banner__content usa-accordion__content" id="gov-banner-default"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap-lg"> <div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6"> <img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="/themes/custom/usagov/assets/img/icon-dot-gov.svg" alt="" aria-hidden="true" /> <div class="usa-media-block__body"> <p> <strong>Official websites use .gov</strong><br /> A <strong>.gov</strong> website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. </p> </div> </div> <div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6"> <img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="/themes/custom/usagov/assets/img/icon-https.svg" alt="" aria-hidden="true" /> <div class="usa-media-block__body"> <p> <strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong><br /> A <strong>lock</strong> ( <span class="icon-lock"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="52" height="64" viewBox="0 0 52 64" class="usa-banner__lock-image" aria-labelledby="banner-lock-description-default" focusable="false"> <title id="banner-lock-title-default">Lock</title> <desc id="banner-lock-description-default">Locked padlock icon</desc> <path fill="#000000" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z" /> </svg> </span> ) or <strong>https://</strong> means you鈥檝e safely connected to the .gov website. 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data-view-mode="embed" data-entity-embed-display="entity_reference_revisions:entity_reference_revisions_entity_view" data-entity-type="embedded_paragraphs" data-entity-uuid="12e4bde9-99ed-420b-a36d-1f32ac43f7ee" data-entity-embed-display-settings="[]" class="embedded-entity"> <div class="field field--name-paragraph field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__item"> <div class="usa-accordion paragraph paragraph--type--uswds-accordion paragraph--view-mode--embed paragraph--id--2459">  <h2 class="usa-accordion__heading"> <button class="usa-accordion__button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="2459-0"> Non-U.S. citizen children traveling to the U.S. </button> </h2> <div id="2459-0" class="usa-accordion__content usa-prose" hidden="until-found"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text-field paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2453"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-field-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>All children, including infants, must have their own travel documents, such as a passport or visa to enter the U.S.</p><p>Additionally, if the child is traveling alone, with only one of their custodial parents, or with a guardian to the U.S., they should have:</p><ul><li>Documents that their country requires for children traveling outside their country without both parents<ul><li>Each country has its own rules for the specific documents it requires for a child to be allowed to leave their home country without both of their custodial parents or with a guardian. Contact <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/consularnotification/ConsularNotificationandAccess.html">the embassy or consulate of the country the child is a citizen of</a> to find out what specific documents the country requires to allow the child to leave their country.</li></ul></li><li>A letter of consent, preferably in English and notarized, from the other parent or signed by both custodial parents. <ul><li>The letter should say: "I acknowledge that my child is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission."</li><li>A parent who frequently crosses the border by land with a minor should always carry a letter of permission from the other parent.</li><li>A parent with sole custody of the child they are traveling with should carry a copy of the custody document.</li></ul></li></ul><p>If your child is traveling alone by air, the airline may require you to submit an unaccompanied minor form and pay a fee for unaccompanied minor service. This service provides an airline employee escort for your child at the airport and on board the plane. In addition, you and the person picking your child up at their destination may also need to provide the airline with identification and contact information.</p><p>Contact your airline before your child鈥檚 trip to find out:</p><ul><li>What age requirements the airline has for their unaccompanied minor service</li><li>If you can book a ticket with a connecting flight</li><li>What documents and fees are required</li></ul></div> </div> </div> </div> <h2 class="usa-accordion__heading"> <button class="usa-accordion__button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="2459-1"> U.S. citizen children traveling outside the U.S. </button> </h2> <div id="2459-1" class="usa-accordion__content usa-prose" hidden="until-found"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text-field paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2455"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-field-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Children traveling to most other countries are required to have a U.S. passport. </p><p><a href="/child-passport">Learn how to get a passport for a minor under 18.</a></p><p>Depending on the country, the child may also need a visa and other travel documents. <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html">Search for the country the child will be visiting to find out what documentation that country requires.</a></p><h3><strong>Providing parental consent when a child travels without both custodial parents</strong></h3><p>Ports of entry in many countries have security measures to prevent <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/International-Parental-Child-Abduction.html">international child abduction</a>. If your child is traveling alone or with only one parent or legal guardian, they may need a letter of consent from the other custodial parent. </p><ul><li>The letter of consent, preferably in English and notarized, from the other parent (if the child is traveling with one custodial parent) or signed by both parents (if the child is traveling with a guardian or alone) should say: "I acknowledge that my child is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission."</li></ul><p>Additionally, if a minor is traveling abroad alone:</p><ul><li><a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/consularnotification/ConsularNotificationandAccess.html">Contact the embassy or consulate of the country your child will be visiting</a> and ask about entry and exit requirements for that country.</li><li>The airline may require you to submit an unaccompanied minor form and pay them a fee for unaccompanied minor service. This service provides an airline employee escort for your child at the airport and on board the plane. In addition, you and the person picking your child up at their destination may also need to provide the airline with identification and contact information.<ul><li>Contact your airline before your child鈥檚 trip to find out:<ul><li>What age requirements the airline has for their unaccompanied minor service</li><li>If you can book a ticket with a connecting flight</li><li>What documents and fees are required</li></ul></li></ul></li></ul></div> </div> </div> </div> <h2 class="usa-accordion__heading"> <button class="usa-accordion__button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="2459-2"> U.S. citizen children traveling to Canada or Mexico </button> </h2> <div id="2459-2" class="usa-accordion__content usa-prose" hidden="until-found"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text-field paragraph--view-mode--default paragraph--id--2457"> <div class="paragraph__column"> <div class="field field--name-field-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><h3>Traveling by air</h3><p>All U.S. citizen children who are traveling by air to Canada or Mexico must have a U.S. passport or Trusted Traveler Program card. </p><h3>Traveling by land or sea</h3><ul><li>Under age 16: present the child鈥檚<ul><li>U.S. passport, or</li><li>An original or a certified copy of their birth certificate, or</li><li>A Certificate of Naturalization, or </li><li>A Consular Report of Birth Abroad </li></ul></li><li>Age 16 or over: show a U.S. passport or Trusted Traveler Program card</li></ul><h3>Parental consent documentation for travel to Canada and Mexico</h3><p>A child traveling with only one custodial parent or a guardian or who is traveling alone may need to present a written letter of consent at the border. </p><ul><li>The letter of consent, preferably in English and notarized, from the other parent (if the child is traveling with one custodial parent) or signed by both parents (if the child is traveling with a guardian or alone) should say: "I acknowledge that my child is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission."</li></ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container settings-tray-editable block block-views block-views-blockwizard-step-test-block-1" id="block-views-block-wizard-step-test-block-1" data-drupal-settingstray="editable"> <div><div class="js-view-dom-id-20476adb1eef0d06470ef058ca80fb49bb4c983271583799f21d0482243b2b89"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="additional_body_info"> <p id="last-updated">LAST UPDATED: October 10, 2024 </p> <div id="sm-share"> <span id="share-page">SHARE THIS PAGE:</span> <div class="share-icons"> <a aria-labelledby="share-page fb" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.usa.gov/travel-documents-children&v=3"> <div class="share-icon-div"> <img class="share-icon" id="fb" src="/themes/custom/usagov/images/social-media-icons/Facebook_Icon.svg" alt="Facebook"/> </div> </a> <a aria-labelledby="share-page twr" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?source=webclient&text=https://www.usa.gov/travel-documents-children"> <div class="share-icon-div"> <img class="share-icon" id="twr" src="/themes/custom/usagov/images/social-media-icons/X_Twitter_Icon.svg?version=2" alt="X Twitter USAGov"/> </div> </a> <a aria-labelledby="share-page em" href="mailto:?subject=https://www.usa.gov/travel-documents-children"> <div class="share-icon-div"> <img class="share-icon" id="em" src="/themes/custom/usagov/images/social-media-icons/Email_Icon.svg?version=2" alt="Email"/> </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="border-top-05 border-base-lightest"></div> <div id="question-box"> <div class="usa-prose border-left-1 padding-left-205 border-cyan-10 margin-top-8 margin-bottom-9 padding-bottom-2"> <h2 class="font-family-heading margin-top-0"> Have a question? </h2> <p>Ask a real person any government-related question for free. 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International travel documents for children | USAGov