Guide · Canada and United States

Children crossing the Canada-US border with one parent or another adult

General information, not official or legal advice. Customs, immigration and border rules change and every situation is different. Check the linked official sources and the agency’s current page before you travel. This site is not affiliated with CBP, the CBSA, DHS or any government.

Steps

1. The CBSA and CBP say the right ID for a child depends on citizenship; see the document guides.^[2][3]
2. The Government of Canada recommends a signed consent letter from every parent or guardian not travelling, says original signed letters are best, and strongly recommends a notary public witness it.^[1][2]
3. The CBSA says to carry copies of any legal custody or parenting order, and the Government of Canada suggests carrying a copy of the order alongside the letter.^[2][1]
4. The CBSA says to arrive at the border in the same vehicle as the minor.^[2]
5. The CBSA says officers are always watching for missing children, so questions about the child and the adults are possible.^[2]

What the Government of Canada says a consent letter is

A consent letter is a written statement showing that a child has permission to travel abroad from any parent or person with decision-making responsibility who is not travelling with them. It is recommended, not legally required in Canada, but may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving a foreign country, airline agents and Canadian officials when entering Canada.^[1] It gives permission for travel across any international border, including the land border with the US even for a day trip, and in the absence of a letter, officials could ask additional questions and may ask to contact the absent parent with your permission.^[1]

When to carry one, and who signs

The Government of Canada lists the situations: a child travelling alone; with only one parent or person with decision-making responsibility, even if both parents travel for part of the trip; with friends or other family; or with a group such as a sports, school, music or religious group. It advises that any child under 19 should carry one when travelling without both parents.^[1] It should be signed by any parent or other person with decision-making responsibility who is not travelling with the child, including married, common-law, separated or divorced parents.^[1] A letter is recommended even where a parenting order lets one parent decide travel alone, along with a copy of the order.^[1]

What to put in it

There are no official guidelines for content and format. A letter usually includes the child's name; names and contact information of parents or guardians; the full name, address and contact information of the accompanying adult and relationship to the child; and where and when the child is travelling.^[1] One or several letters can be used, and children from the same family can be listed on one letter. Any adult may witness, but a notary public is strongly recommended. Original signed letters are best because border officials may not accept photocopies or digital versions.^[1] The Government of Canada provides a sample letter in fillable PDF and printable DOC formats.^[1]

Special situations the page covers

If a parent has died, bring a copy of the death certificate; a child travelling alone should carry a consent letter from the surviving parent with the death certificate. For a child in temporary care, the letter should be signed by the appropriate child welfare agency representative. If a parent lives outside Canada, they ideally sign, and a consular officer or any adult can witness. If getting a parent's consent is impossible or unsafe, or if a parent refuses, the page suggests legal advice or family justice services.^[1] If you believe the accompanying parent will not return the child, it advises consulting a lawyer before signing.^[1]

What the CBSA adds

For minors under 18, the CBSA says to carry acceptable ID, copies of legal custody documents, arrive in the same vehicle as the minor, and carry a consent letter if you share custody and the other parent is not travelling, or you are not the child's parent or guardian; it adds that notarizing helps support authenticity and that officers are always watching for missing children.^[2] NEXUS members have specific rules too: if you share custody you must present the child's NEXUS card, copies of custody documents and a permission letter from the absent parent.^[4]

The US side

CBP's WHTI page covers documents: US and Canadian citizen children under 16, or under 19 with a youth group, need only a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship.^[3] We did not find a CBP page that sets out a consent-letter rule for children entering the US, so this guide does not state one. CBP's page says the birth certificate can be an original, photocopy or certified copy.^[3] It points travellers who need a passport to the State Department's travel website or its National Passport Information Center.^[3]

Limits of a consent letter

The Government of Canada says a consent letter does not guarantee that a child will not be taken abroad without permission or returned, is not a complete safeguard and may not prevent abduction. A destination country may not treat it as sufficient.^[1] It also says a Canadian child needs a Canadian passport for travel outside Canada, and that the definition of a minor varies by province and country.^[5] Whether a child is admitted, and what documents satisfy the officer, is decided by the officer at the time of crossing; a letter does not guarantee entry. For custody situations the Government of Canada suggests legal advice.^[1]

About this guide

Officers decide at the border; this is general information, not official guidance. travel.tnaado.ca is not affiliated with CBP, CBSA, DHS or the Government of Canada.