Consent to take a child abroad

I recently dealt with an urgent matter in which a young child was due to go on a cruise with family friends, without his parents. The parents had been told last minute that the child would not be able to travel without a notarised letter of consent, giving permission to the family friends to act in place of the parents (known as acting in loco parentis).

After completing some checks, I was able to meet the parents and their child very quickly and notarise the necessary consent document. I also emailed the draft document to the travel provider in advance, to make sure it would be accepted upon departure. The matter was completed successfully and the child was able to join the cruise, much to the relief of his parents.

Often, parents are totally unaware of this consent requirement, which can lead to very stressful situations and sometimes, sadly, upsetting experiences where passage is denied at the border. Notarised evidence (that is, a document that has been authenticated by a Notary Public) may even be required if only one parent is present, or the surname of the child does not match the person they are travelling with, even if they are related. It is therefore essential to speak with your travel or holiday provider in advance to establish whether you will require any such notarised consent.

If you need a form of travel consent notarised, then I am able to help. I can meet with clients in Chelmsford and the surrounding areas of Essex, as well as in the central London. Please contact me in the first instance for a free, no obligation conversation.

This article is not legal advice - it is provided for general information only.