Canadian Border Authorities Issue Letter Warning To Holiday Travelers With Children

As the holiday season ramps up, airports are preparing for a surge of family travelers. Between packed terminals, tight connections, and long security lines, flying during peak travel periods can be stressful for even the most seasoned travelers.

That pressure can feel intensified for parents traveling with children—especially when crossing international borders. Beyond passports and boarding passes, families also need to be mindful of less obvious travel requirements. Recently, Canadian border officials issued a reminder to parents and guardians traveling alone with children about a document that could help prevent border delays.

Here’s what families should know before heading to the airport.

Canada’s Border Agency Issues A Reminder For Parents Traveling Solo With Children

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Just this week, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced that it will soon end its remote border crossing program. Most recently, the agency issued a warning on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, reminding parents that traveling with a child without the other parent may require additional documentation.

“Travelling with children this holiday season? Our officers are always on the lookout for missing and abducted children. If one parent or guardian isn’t present, bring a consent letter to help speed up your border crossing,” the agency wrote.

According to the agency, a consent letter should be carried when parents share custody, and one parent is traveling alone with the child, or when an adult traveling with the minor is not the child’s parent or legal guardian. The rule is meant to help prevent international child abduction and make it easier for border officers to confirm that a child is allowed to travel.

In addition to a consent letter, the parent or guardian should be prepared to show proper identification for the child. This may include passports and any documents required for residents returning to Canada, U.S. travelers, or other international visitors. And if applicable, parents are advised to carry copies of legal documents, such as custody or guardianship orders.

What A Travel Consent Letter Should Include

There is no single official format for a travel consent letter, but according to the CBSA, the document should include several pieces of information.

Information To Include In A Travel Consent Letter:

The letter should also outline the travel plans, including where the child is going and how long the trip will last, which can help avoid confusion at the border and make it easier for officials to understand the purpose of the trip.

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Depending on the situation, families may use a single consent letter or multiple letters. If neither parent is traveling with the child, both parents can sign one shared letter, or each can provide their own. Children from the same family traveling together can usually be included on one letter, while separate letters are often recommended if children will be traveling apart for any portion of the trip.

Who needs to sign the consent letter depends on the family’s circumstances. For instance, parents who are married or in a common-law relationship are generally expected to sign the letter, while separated or divorced parents may also need to sign if they have custody.

If one parent has passed away and the child is traveling without the surviving parent, it’s recommended that the child carry a consent letter signed by the surviving parent, along with a copy of the death certificate.

For families unsure where to begin, the CBSA provides a sample consent letter on its website as a reference.

A Consent Letter May Not Be Enough When Traveling Outside Of Canada

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While a travel consent letter can be helpful, it may not work in every country, since each destination has its own rules when it comes to children crossing borders with one parent or guardian.

There are also situations in which a child may be considered a citizen of another country if one or both parents hold citizenship there. If that happens, the child may be expected to follow the same entry and exit rules as other citizens, which may mean extra paperwork or requirements different from what parents might anticipate. Because these rules can vary so much, the CBSA advises families to look at their specific destination’s entry and exit requirements in advance.

For parents or guardians traveling alone with a child, a consent letter is an important part of the preparation—but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Understanding a destination’s rules in advance can help prevent surprises and make the trip far less stressful.