Family Travel Documents
Consent letters, minor passports, and the paperwork that stops families at the border.
Travelling with children adds paperwork that surprises even experienced parents, especially when one parent travels alone with the child or when parents have different surnames.
Passports for children
Every child, including infants, needs their own passport. US passports for children under 16 are valid 5 years, not 10, and require both parents' consent to apply.
Child passports also expire faster in visual terms - the photo of a 6 year old at renewal often looks very different at 11.
Consent letters
When one parent travels internationally with a child without the other, many countries recommend a notarised consent letter from the non-travelling parent. South Africa is strict - they can deny boarding without the required document.
Include the child's full name, passport number, trip dates, contact information for the non-travelling parent, and a copy of their ID.
Different surnames
If your child's surname differs from yours - after a divorce, a name change, or naturally - carry the child's birth certificate. This preempts questions at check-in and immigration.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a consent letter for domestic travel?
Usually not, but airlines occasionally ask. A signed letter avoids questions.
What if a parent is deceased?
Carry the death certificate. It resolves any questions immediately.
In summary
If you take one thing from this guide, it's this: the more prepared you are before you travel, the fewer decisions you have to make when you're tired and jet-lagged. Bookmark this page and check the update date before your next trip.
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