Template for guardian’s written consent for a minor traveling to the U.S.
(how to fill out the form for overseas travel)

21 Aug 11:10

United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requests written consent for minors traveling to the U.S.

For children (those under the age of 18) going to the United States alone or with only one parent, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) asks written approval from both parents or the parent who is not accompanying the minor.
This written permission must be in English. It should be noted that if a kid does not offer written agreement when questioned by an immigration officer during screening for entrance into the United States, he or she may be held until his or her situation and safety can be validated. Furthermore, the guardian(s) should be informed that many nations now need written approval for children to travel in order to ensure the minors’ safety.
While formal permission is not necessary for travel to the United States, admission may be denied if an official permit or birth certificate is not shown.

Website of the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Reasons to prepare written consent for travel by a minor

In recent years, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has paid more attention to the protection of traveling children.
As a result, minors are required in all situations to produce written approval from both parents or the guardian who is not accompanying the child.
Due to an increase in cases in recent years of either parent abducting children during or after child-custody disputes, and to combat cases such as child abduction by international criminal organizations, CBP strongly advises travelers under the age of 18 who travel unaccompanied by their parents to bring written consent from their parents.

In the following situations, written consent is advised.

  • When a juvenile travels to or stays in the United States by themselves for a specified cause
  • When a youngster goes with or stays with only one parent for a specified reason
  • When a kid travels with an adult who is not his or her parent for a specified purpose or stays with an adult who is not his or her parent for a certain reason

It should be noted that the signed consent must be in English.

While there is no need to offer to provide written approval to travel during immigration screening, be prepared to do so if the immigration officer requests it.
Although written agreement to travel is not required, if the passenger is unable to produce it when sought during immigration screening, he or she may be detailed for purposes such as individual screening. Guardians are asked to provide formal permission to travel by checking the most recent information from CBP or the Guam Visitors Bureau for specifics.

TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES?

Do You Have U.S. ESTA VISA Travel Authorization? If You Have ESTA Application, Check if it is Still Valid!

Details: Excerpted from the Visa Handbook

When a juvenile under the age of 18 travels alone or with only one parent, formal permission to travel (in English) from the parent (or guardian) who is not accompanying him or her is necessary. This is also essential for group travel, such as school excursions or training programs for pupils. Consult a notary public about notarizing the document.
If the minor does not have a legal guardian owing to circumstances such as divorce or death, an official paperwork stating the cause must be created. Please prepare and send a family record, birth certificate, death certificate, and other relevant documents (all in English). While written agreement is not always necessary during immigration screening, if it is not provided when sought by an immigration officer, admission to enter the United States may be refused.

Note: For more information, see the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website.

Preparing written consent for a minor to travel to the U.S.: Template and how to fill it out

Preparing written approval for a minor to travel to the United States: Template and instructionsSo far, no incidents of a juvenile being returned forcibly because he or she did not have written approval to go have been published, however in certain situations such kids have been subjected to individual screening for their own safety and U.S. national security. As a consequence, no one has been denied access. However, as previously stated, there have been occasions when written authorization is required when a minor travels to the United States.

When is written consent from parents or guardian grandparents needed?

  1. When a youngster under the age of 18 enters and remains in the United States with a grandparent without being accompanied by parents.
  2. When a youngster under the age of 18 travels to and stays in the United States alone.
  3. When a youngster under the age of 18 travels to and stays in the United States with a school or other institution (e.g., on school trips).
  4. When a youngster under the age of 18 travels to and stays in the United States with grandparents, an aunt or uncle, or a friend(s).

Even when kids come to the United States in groups for school vacations, foreign training, or training programs organized by companies or local governments, a signed authorization form from their parents or guardians is strongly advised. If the youngster lacks a legal guardian due to death, divorce, or other circumstances, US CBP may request evidence such as a family registry, a birth certificate with one parent’s name, or a parent’s death certificate.
Minors traveling unaccompanied by (a) parent(s) or (a) guardian(s) should prepare formal consent to travel to prevent issues during immigration screening.

Please keep in mind that the written permission in situations 1-4 above must be in English.

Reference link

U.S. Customs and Border Protection website

What are the five points that need to be checked when a minor travels?

  1. Guardian consent: preparing written consent
  2. How much time does the passport have before it expires?
  3. Purchasing foreign travel insurance
  4. Guardians should control minors’ finances.
  5. Smoking and drinking

foreign travel is becoming more prevalent as foreign trips and flights become more accessible. Many people are thinking about overseas travel for school vacations and graduation trips. However, before a minor travels abroad, a variety of preparations are required, including obtaining the written agreement of his or her guardians and purchasing insurance in case of illness or accident. Here are five issues that are thought to deserve special attention.

① Consent of a guardian: Preparing written consent

Please create formal authorization for the minor expressing parents’ or guardians’ acceptance for his or her trip abroad, not simply to the United States. Although the destination country may not always need such written authorization, if the passenger is unable to provide such written consent when sought during immigration screening, he or she may be subject to individual screening and may be detained or refused entry. Please provide formal agreement as soon as you intend to travel with a minor who is not accompanied by his or her parents or guardians.

② Check the passport’s expiration date

Regardless of grade level or years of study, persons under the age of 20 are only eligible for five-year passports, which expire five years after they are issued. When a kid travels abroad to school or for other reasons, he or she should first check the date of issuance and expiration date of his or her own passport. You can apply to renew your passport one year before it expires.

TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES?

Do You Have U.S. ESTA VISA Travel Authorization? If You Have ESTA Application, Check if it is Still Valid!

When a minor applies for a passport

Passports have two sorts of validity periods: five years and ten years.
When a juvenile under the age of 20 applies for a passport, he or she may only acquire a five-year passport.
On the passport application form, a parent (father or mother) or guardian must sign for the signature of the minor’s legal representation.If the minor does not sign it, he or she must get and submit written permission from a parent or guardian.

③ Taking out international travel insurance

Taking out international travel insurance is essential to avoid problems while abroad and to be prepared for any unexpected illness or accident.However, most minors are unable to obtain travel insurance on their own, so contact insurance firms before to departure with the agreement of a parent or guardian.Because health insurance from one’s home country cannot be utilized abroad, a hospital visit may result in a very expensive cost in most situations. It is advised that you purchase travel insurance so that you do not have to worry about your safety, medical costs, or other issues if you are injured or unwell while traveling.

④ Guardians should manage money for minors

Carrying significant sums of money internationally may be quite risky.
While credit cards are incredibly handy for adults, most kids do not carry credit cards, which may be troublesome in some instances. In such instances, a prepaid card for overseas travel is quite useful and simple to use. Deposit the anticipated amount of money to be used during overseas travel into the appropriate bank account, as these are used in the same way as debit cards. out of the way when on the road. It also allows the guardian to be prepared for loss or theft by sending monies to the account if the balance runs out while traveling. Before traveling, guardians should explain with children the regulations for using such cards.

⑤ Drinking and smoking

The laws governing drinking and smoking differ from nation to country.Following the rules of one’s native country is encouraged to prevent complications when minors travel, as well as for safety and the health of the child himself or herself. Even though there should be no legal issues if the destination country’s regulations are obeyed, youngsters are still developing and are not habituated to alcohol and smoke. They should try to avoid drinking and smoking as much as possible.

Applying for travel for an unaccompanied minor

In recent years, the number of kids going abroad alone during summer vacation and other extended vacations has increased.
Please be aware, however, that several U.S. jurisdictions restrict unaccompanied kids from making travel or accommodation plans, even with documented permission from their guardians. In addition, unaccompanied adolescents are not permitted to stay in hotels or other facilities in the United States.

Plan in advance when a minor goes on unaccompanied international travel

While methods differ by nation, you may need to acquire a formal consent form from the embassy or submit a document notarized by a notary public in some situations. In addition, certain nations demand a certificate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Furthermore, before your trip, we recommend reviewing the websites of organizations such as particular embassies and government tourist bureaus, because essential papers and conditions may change or be updated at any moment, depending on the circumstances and timing of travel. Preparing the proper documentation and obtaining authorisation for a minor to go internationally unaccompanied by a guardian may take some time. Please note, however, that it is all for the sake of kids’ safety and national security, and it is all required for children and their parents or guardians.

TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES?

Do You Have U.S. ESTA VISA Travel Authorization? If You Have ESTA Application, Check if it is Still Valid!