Child Under 18 Travel Consent Form
Get Your FREE Child Travel Consent Form: Travel with Peace of Mind
Travelling abroad with a minor requires more than just a passport. To ensure a smooth journey through border security, children under 18 travelling alone, with one parent, or with a guardian must carry a formal consent document. Without this letter, you may face delays at border security or be asked for additional documentation. We provide a FREE professional template to prove that a legal guardian has authorised the trip, helping you avoid stressful delays at the airport.
**Great news! We offer a FREE child travel consent form that is simple to fill out using our easy how-to guide.
At Holiday Extras, we offer specialist travel insurance for under 18s, which can be easily added to your trip by a parent or guardian. Check out our Under 18s Travel Insurance page to make sure they're protected from start to finish.
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Travel Consent Form Guide:
- Click the download button located above to open the template.
- Click the print button found in the top corner of the page.
- Fill out the form using a blue or black pen with the child's full name, date of birth, and passport details for them to take to the airport.
- Alternatively, download the file to your device and edit the text fields online to provide the child with a digital copy.
- Ensure the lawful parent or guardian signs the document to authorise the travel.
When does a child need a travel consent form?
To ensure a smooth journey through border control, any minor under 18 needs a signed consent form when travelling domestically or abroad in these situations:
- Solo Travel: When the child is flying alone as an unaccompanied minor (When you go to quote for your travel insurance, simply select the single parent option and one child to get your quote at our competitive single parent rates).
- Solo Parenting: When travelling with only one parent or legal guardian.
- Family & Friends: When holidaying with grandparents, aunts or family & friends.
- Organised groups: When participating in school trips, sport tours, or youth organisations.
Why You Need a Child Travel Consent Form:
A signed consent form is vital for several security and legal reasons when a minor travels without both guardians:
- Safety: It acts as a crucial safeguard to protect children and prevent international abduction.
- Official Verification: It provides immediate proof to airlines, transport providers and customs officers that the child has full permission to travel.
- Legal Confirmation: It confirms that everyone with parental responsibility has formally agreed to the trip, avoiding legal complications at the border.
U18s & 17s: Permission & Insurance Information
If a minor is travelling without their legal guardians, they need permission in the form of a signed consent letter. Even for 17-year-olds who may feel independent, official parental permission is a standard requirement for customs officials to prevent international child abduction and ensure the minor's safety. Having this document ready prevents stressful delays and keeps the holiday on track.
We offer a FREE travel consent form template below, designed to be simple for parents, grandparents, and guardians to complete in minutes. To complement this, we recommend our Under-18s Travel Insurance. It’s specifically built for younger travellers and can be purchased directly by a parent or guardian. If you are a single parent, you can simply select the single parent option and one child on our quote page to access our specialist single parent rates. Ensure your child has both the legal permission and the financial protection they need before they head abroad.
Book your Travel Insurance Today
Under-18s are covered when a parent or guardian makes the purchase on their behalf. Whether it’s a school trip, family getaway or weekend adventure, you can rest assured that everyone is protected.
Choose from our three cover levels – Gold, Silver, and Bronze, each offering their own levels of protection.
Jetting off more than once this year? Save time with an annual multi-trip policy.
Insure gadgets like mobile phones or laptops for an additional premium.
We consider most pre-existing medical conditions with our specialised medical travel insurance.
Things to Consider
- Carefully read the form: Make sure you fully understand the consent form before signing.
- Seek clarification if needed: If anything is unclear, feel free to ask the organiser for more information.
- Verify the details: Check all the information on the form to ensure it is correct before signing.
Let Us Answer Your Questions
Do you need a letter of permission to travel with grandchildren?
Grandparents should carry a parental travel consent form when taking their grandchildren out of the country. This is a safety precaution and a legal requirement. Always have a letter of consent signed by both parents, in addition to the necessary travel documents.
Do I need a travel consent form for domestic travel?
While not always required for domestic travel, it's a good practice to have a consent form, especially if the child is travelling with someone other than a parent.
At what age in the UK is a person considered a child?
In the UK, any person under the age of 18 is legally considered a child.
Can I get an insurance policy for my child if they are under 18?
Yes, we can now offer cover to under-18s travel insurance, as long as their parent or guardian is paying using their payment details at the time of check out. If the child is travelling with grandparents, the child's legal guardian or parent must be the ones to fill out insurance details of the child travelling.
Does a child need a consent form if travelling with one parent?
Yes. If you are a separated or divorced parent, border officials often require proof that the other parent has consented to the trip. Carrying a signed consent form, along with a copy of the child’s birth certificate, prevents questioning and ensures a stress-free crossing. When you get a quote for your travel insurance, simply select the single parent option and one child to get your quote at our competitive single parent rates.
Does a 17 year old need parental permission to travel alone?
Yes. Even though they are nearly adults, anyone under 18 is legally a minor. Most airlines and border authorities require 17-year-olds to carry a signed travel consent form to prove they have permission to travel solo. Using our FREE PDF template ensures they have the right documentation to avoid delays or being turned away at the border.
Holiday Extras Travel Insurance is sold and administered by Holiday Extras Cover Limited, registered office address: Ashford Road, Newingreen, Hythe, Kent CT21 4JF.
Holiday Extras Cover Limited is an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, registration number 828848. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting: http://register.fca.org.uk
Holiday Extras™ is a Trading Name of Holiday Extras Cover Limited. The insurance is underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited. Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 13436330 and whose registered office address is 1 Fen Court, London, United Kingdom, EC3M 5BN.
Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Firm Reference Number 955859. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting: http://register.fca.org.uk
Our flight delay cover is underwritten by Astrenska Insurance Limited and serviced by Collinson Insurance Services Limited.