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It's a written declaration by a parent or person with parental responsibility confirming that they consent to a child under 18 travelling outside the UK with a named adult (or alone for older children). Border agencies, airlines, and foreign authorities frequently request it when a child is not accompanied by both parents, and it provides protection against accusations of child abduction.

There is no single statute requiring a consent letter in every case, but the Child Abduction Act 1984 makes it a criminal offence to remove a child from the UK without the consent of all those with parental responsibility. A written consent letter from absent parents is strong evidence that removal was lawful, and Border Force, airlines, and destination-country authorities frequently ask for one.

When a child travels with only one parent, with a grandparent, school group, or other non-parent adult, or alone (for older teenagers). Some countries, including many in Latin America, southern Europe, and Africa, have formal requirements for consent letters when a child enters without both parents, regardless of UK domestic law.

The full legal names and dates of birth of the child and the consenting parent or guardian, the name and relationship of the accompanying adult, the destination countries and intended travel dates, the consenting adult's passport number and contact details, and the signature of the consenting parent with the date. Some countries require the letter to be notarised or apostilled.

HMPO and UK Border Force do not universally require notarisation, but several countries (including Spain, the Dominican Republic, and many others) will not allow a child to enter or depart without a notarised letter from the absent parent. Checking the specific requirements of the destination country before travel is essential, and notarising the letter is prudent for any international trip.

If a parent with parental responsibility refuses consent, the travelling parent cannot override that refusal. Taking a child abroad without consent could be an offence under the Child Abduction Act 1984. The travelling parent would need to apply for a specific issue order from the Family Court under the Children Act 1989, which the court can grant if travel is in the child's best interests.

There is no statutory expiry period, but most border agencies and airlines treat a consent letter as valid only for the specific trip described. Using a dated letter that sets out precise dates and destinations for each trip is the safest approach, and carrying a fresh letter for any subsequent trip rather than re-using an old one is strongly recommended.

Copies of the consenting parent's passport, the child's birth certificate (showing the parent-child relationship), any court orders relating to parental responsibility, and the accompanying adult's identification documents. Some authorities also request proof that the consenting parent was unable to travel (such as a letter from an employer) to explain the absence.