Consent to Travel Letters
Notary Stamp Scarborough
Travel Consent Letters for Children, Witnessed and Notarized
If a child is crossing an international border without both parents, border officers and airline staff can ask for written proof that everyone with decision-making responsibility agreed to the trip. A consent letter is how you show it — and being unable to produce one can mean delays at the airport, or being refused entry or exit.
We witness and notarize travel consent letters at our Scarborough office for $20 per signature, usually in a few minutes. Bring the letter unsigned, and both parents sign in front of the notary. If you have not written it yet, that is fine — we will tell you exactly what it needs to contain before you sit down.
Do this before the week you fly. Original signed letters carry the most weight at a border, and leaving it to the last day is how families end up at the airport without one.
Proudly serving Scarborough, Toronto, Markham, Vaughan, Mississauga, Richmond Hill, Pickering, Ajax and clients across Ontario.
Why Parents Come to Us for Travel Letters
- Notarized while you wait — most visits take minutes
- Open 7 days a week, including evenings and weekends
- $20 per signature, with free printing on site
- We check the letter has everything a border officer looks for
- Walk-ins welcome — useful when travel dates move
Child Travel Consent Letters — What You Should Know
Is it actually required?
A consent letter is not required by Canadian law, and that fact misleads a lot of parents. What matters is who can ask for it: immigration authorities in the country you are entering or leaving, airline staff at check-in, and Canadian officials when you come home. If you cannot produce one on request, the realistic outcomes are delay, questioning, or being refused entry or exit.
Border officers are entitled to ask for proof that every parent or guardian agreed to the trip. Without a letter they may ask further questions, and may ask to contact the absent parent.
Why the Government of Canada points to a notary
Any adult is allowed to witness the signing. However, the Government of Canada strongly recommends the witness be a notary public — a notarized letter is far less likely to be questioned at a border, which is the entire point of carrying one.
Bring original signed letters with you. Photocopies and digital versions may not be accepted and are more likely to have their authenticity challenged.
What the letter should contain
There is no official government format, but a letter is normally expected to cover: the child’s name; the names and contact details of every parent or person with decision-making responsibility; the accompanying adult’s full name, address, contact details and relationship to the child; and where the child is going, for how long, with specific travel dates.
Siblings travelling together can be listed on one letter. Use separate letters if the children will be travelling apart for any part of the trip.
Separated, divorced, or sole decision-making
A consent letter is recommended even when a parenting order or agreement lets one parent make travel decisions alone. Border staff and airlines can still ask for proof that everyone agreed, so carry the letter plus a copy of any relevant court order or parenting arrangement.
If obtaining the other parent’s consent is not possible or would not be safe, that is a situation for legal advice rather than a notary — speak with a lawyer before you book travel.
What it does not do
A consent letter is a precaution, not a guarantee. It does not by itself prevent a child being taken abroad, and a destination country may impose its own entry and exit rules for children that the letter does not satisfy. Check the requirements for the country you are visiting before you travel.
When a Consent Letter Is Recommended
| The child is travelling… | Letter recommended? | Who should sign it |
|---|---|---|
| Alone | Yes | Every parent or guardian with decision-making responsibility |
| With one parent only | Yes | The parent who is not travelling |
| With grandparents, relatives or friends | Yes | Both parents / all guardians |
| With a school, sports, music or religious group | Yes | Both parents / all guardians |
| With both parents for the whole trip | Not needed | — |
This applies to any international border — including a same-day land crossing into the United States. Any child under 19 should carry a letter when travelling without both parents, even a 16- or 17-year-old holding an adult passport.
How It Works
Call or Book
Call 416-951-3301 or send us a message. We are open 7 days a week, including evenings by arrangement.
Visit the Office
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and your unsigned documents. Free printing and copying is available on site.
Signed & Sealed
Your documents are witnessed, signed, and sealed on the spot — most visits take just a few minutes.
What to Bring for a Travel Consent Letter
- The unsigned letter — signed in front of the notary (we print free if you email it)
- Valid photo ID for every parent or guardian who is signing
- The child’s full name and date of birth
- Travel dates and destination, including return date
- The accompanying adult’s details — full name, address, contact, relationship
- A copy of any court order or parenting arrangement, if one exists
Free document printing and copying available on site. We accept Cash and e-Transfer.
Service Fees at a Glance
| Service | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Notarization of Documents | $20 first document · $15 each (2–5) · $10 each (5+) |
| Certification of Documents (Certified True Copies) | $20 first document · $15 each (2–4) · $10 each (5+) |
| Degree & Transcript Certification | $20 first document · $15 each (2–4) · $10 each (5+) |
| Commissioning (Oaths & Declarations) | $20 first document · $15 each (2–4) · $10 each (5+) |
| Consent to Travel Letters (child travel) | $20 per signature |
| Affidavits | $70 |
| Statutory Declarations | $20 per signature |
| OSAP Affidavits (student aid) | $20 per signature |
| Power of Attorney | $70 |
| Wills & Estate Documents | $20 per signature |
| Real Estate & Deed Documents | $20 per signature |
| Loan & Contract Notarization | $20 per signature |
| Single Status Declaration (marriage abroad) | $20 per signature |
| Letters of Invitation | $70 |
| Apostille | $100 |
| Travel Documents (Lieu of Guarantor) | Price upon request |
| Immigration Consulting | Price upon request |
| Landlord & Tenant Board Matters | Price upon request |
| Small Claims Court | Price upon request |
| Criminal Case | Contact for details |
Fees are determined by the number of notarization signatures, not the number of documents. Free printing and copying. We accept Cash and e-Transfer.
What Our Clients Say
5.0 ★★★★★ · 138 Google reviews
Fast reliable and they do understand what i need. Did travel authorization form for my daughter to travel to Europe. Also they are cheaper then other places. Ilya was able to help me greatly. Will definitely recommend…
Ilya helped with my passport documents. Wonderful that he is open on Sundays.
Ilya was quick and also made sure everything was correct. Would definitely recommend
Very Quick response. Thanks Ilya kershtein.
Fast and good price High recommended
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is a travel consent letter required by law in Canada?
No — it is not legally required in Canada. But it can be requested by immigration authorities in the country you are entering or leaving, by airline staff at check-in, and by Canadian officials when you return. Not being able to produce one can lead to delays, questioning, or refusal to enter or exit.
Does the consent letter have to be notarized?
Any adult may legally witness the signature, but the Government of Canada strongly recommends that a notary public witness it. A notarized letter is much less likely to be questioned at a border. We notarize travel consent letters for $20 per signature, usually in minutes.
Do we need a letter for a day trip to the United States?
Yes — the guidance covers any international border crossing, including a same-day trip by land into the US. Border officers on either side can ask for proof that both parents agreed to the child crossing.
My child is 17 and has an adult passport. Is a letter still needed?
It is still recommended. Any child under 19 travelling without both parents should carry one, because foreign authorities can ask for it regardless of the fact that a 16- or 17-year-old is eligible for an adult passport.
I have sole decision-making responsibility — do I still need one?
A letter is recommended even when a parenting order or agreement allows one parent to make travel decisions alone, because border staff and airlines may still ask for proof that everyone agreed. Carry the letter along with a copy of the relevant court order. If getting the other parent’s consent is not possible or safe, get legal advice before booking.
Can we travel with a photocopy or a scan on a phone?
Original signed letters are best. Photocopies and digital versions may not be accepted, and officials are more likely to question whether they are genuine. Bring the signed original with the child’s travel documents.
Two of our children are travelling together — one letter or two?
Children from the same family travelling together can be listed on a single letter. Use separate letters if they will be travelling apart for any portion of the trip.
Do both parents have to come to the appointment?
Every parent or guardian who is signing must attend in person with valid photo identification, because the notary witnesses each signature. If the other parent cannot attend at the same time, call us on 416-951-3301 — separate letters are acceptable and we will explain how to handle it.
How much does Consent to Travel Letters cost?
Service fee: $20 per signature. Fees are determined by the number of notarization signatures, not the number of documents. We accept Cash and e-Transfer.
Do I need an appointment?
We are open 7 days a week: Mon – Fri: 10:00 am – 6:30 pm, Sat – Sun: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Call 416-951-3301 before visiting so we can have everything ready — same-day and last-minute visits are usually no problem.
What should I bring?
A valid government-issued photo ID (Passport or Driver’s License) and your documents, unsigned — the notary must witness your signature. If you need certified copies, bring the original documents. Free printing and copying is available.
What areas do you serve?
Yes. Our office at 1225 Kennedy Road, Scarborough, Ontario, M1P 4Y1, Suite 2000, Unit #2020 serves Scarborough, Toronto, Markham, Vaughan, Mississauga, Richmond Hill, Pickering, Ajax and clients from across Ontario.
Fast & Reliable Notary Services
- 416-951-3301
- kershtein@gmail.com
- 1225 Kennedy Road, Scarborough, Ontario, M1P 4Y1, Suite 2000, Unit #2020
- Mon – Fri: 10:00 am – 6:30 pm
- Sat – Sun: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm