A Travel Authorization Letter (Travel Consent Letter) is a legal document that a parent or guardian signs to authorize a minor to travel without one or both parents. It is ESSENTIAL for Latin American minors traveling to their countries of origin — without this notarized letter, your child can be detained at immigration. Bilingual English/Spanish, valid across Latin America. $49.
It is needed any time a minor under 18 travels internationally without BOTH parents. The most common cases: children visiting grandparents in Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Cuba; minors traveling with aunts/uncles or family friends; divorced parents where only one accompanies the minor; minors flying alone (Unaccompanied Minor). Airlines and immigration require seeing the document BEFORE boarding — without it, your child can be detained and returned.
The letter must be signed by BOTH parents (or the parent with documented sole custody) before a California Notary Public. For some countries (Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras), APOSTILLE from The Hague is also required — an additional certificate that validates the notary's signature internationally. The apostille is obtained from California Secretary of State for $20. For non-Hague Convention countries (Cuba, China), "legalization" at the destination consulate is required.
Both parents, ideally. If only one parent signs, you must legally document why (sole custody by court order, other parent absent or deceased). In doubtful cases, authorities can detain the minor.
Generally valid only for the specific trip mentioned in the letter. If your child travels multiple times a year, you can prepare an "open" letter valid for 1 year.
Not always, but ALMOST always for Latin America. Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Argentina, Chile — all require apostille. Cuba and Venezuela are NOT part of the Hague Convention and require consular legalization.
The parent with sole legal custody can sign alone, but must carry a certified copy of the custody order. If custody is shared, BOTH parents must sign.
Only $49. The additional apostille is $20 separately from the California Secretary of State.
Multi Servicios 360 is a self-help legal document preparation platform. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice.
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