England move closer to victory at Lord's as families plan summer travel abroad

As families prepare for summer travel, many overlook one important document: a child travel consent form. Discover when parental consent letters, notarisation and apostille services may be required for international travel with children.

2 min read

As England move closer to victory on a rain-affected day at Lord's, many families across the UK are looking ahead to summer holidays and international travel.

Whether travelling to watch sporting events, enjoy a family holiday or visit relatives overseas, parents travelling with children should ensure they have the correct documentation before departure.

One document that is frequently overlooked is a child travel consent form, sometimes known as a child travel permission letter.

Travelling abroad with children

Border authorities and airlines may request evidence that a child has permission to travel, particularly when:

  • One parent is travelling alone with a child
  • A grandparent is taking a child abroad
  • A family friend is accompanying a child
  • Parents are separated or divorced
  • The child has a different surname from the accompanying adult

Failure to provide appropriate documentation can result in delays, additional questioning or, in some cases, refusal to travel.

What is a child travel consent form?

A child travel consent form is a document signed by a parent or legal guardian confirming permission for a child to travel internationally.

The document typically includes:

  • Details of the child
  • Details of the travelling adult
  • Travel dates
  • Destination country
  • Contact information for parents or guardians
  • Signatures of the consenting parent or guardian

Many countries recommend or require a signed consent letter when a child is travelling without both parents.

Does a child travel consent form need to be notarised?

Some airlines, foreign authorities and immigration officials may request a notarised child travel consent form.

A notary public verifies the identity of the signing parent and certifies the document, providing additional assurance that the consent is genuine.

In certain countries, the notarised document may also require an apostille certificate before it can be accepted overseas.

Apostille for child travel documents

An apostille issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) confirms that a notarised document is genuine and can be recognised internationally under the Hague Apostille Convention.

Depending on the destination country, you may require:

  • Notarisation of the consent form
  • FCDO apostille UK processing
  • Embassy attestation
  • Certified supporting documents

Requirements vary from country to country, so it is important to check well before travelling.

Fast apostille and legalisation services

At Orcap, we assist families travelling internationally with:

  • Child travel consent forms
  • Notarisation services
  • Same day apostille services
  • FCDO apostille UK processing
  • Embassy attestation
  • Fast apostille and legalisation services
  • Hague apostille services

Our team helps ensure your documents meet international requirements before your journey begins.

Planning to travel abroad with children?

Before heading overseas this summer, make sure you have all necessary travel documentation in place.

If you require a notarised child travel consent form, apostille certificate or embassy legalisation, contact Orcap today for fast and professional assistance throughout the UK.

Our services

  • Premium 1-day Apostille service

    Our premium apostille service is ideal for urgent requirements, offering fast-track processing through the FCDO apostille UK service. Documents are prioritised to ensure you receive your apostille as quickly as the next working day, depending on document type and eligibility.

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    Solicitor certification + Apostille

    We provide solicitor certification for documents that require it before apostille, ensuring they meet all FCDO apostille UK standards. Once certified, your documents are submitted for fast apostille processing, helping to avoid delays and ensuring full international compliance.

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    Sets of documents

    We offer combined apostille and legalisation services for multiple documents, allowing you to process document sets efficiently. This approach saves time, ensures consistency across all paperwork and helps streamline FCDO apostille UK processing.

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    Embassy attestation

    For non-Hague Convention countries, we offer complete embassy attestation and consular legalisation services. We manage the entire process, including FCDO apostille UK processing followed by embassy submission, ensuring your documents are fully compliant for international use.

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    Notary certification + Apostille

    Documents for international use may require notary certification before apostille. We arrange certification by a UK Notary Public, followed by FCDO apostille UK processing, ensuring your documents meet all legalisation requirements and are accepted worldwide.

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    Translation

    We provide professional certified translation services for documents requiring apostille and legalisation. All translations are prepared to meet official UK and international requirements, ensuring acceptance for overseas use alongside FCDO apostille UK processing.