A child crossing a border needs, besides their own document, a clear answer to who has authorised the journey. With both parents present, that is usually settled by proving the relationship. With one parent only, with another adult or alone, a formal authorisation is almost always required. The exact rules depend on the country and they change. This guide explains how the subject is organised and where to confirm what applies to your family.
Which rules apply
Several sets of rules can bear on the same trip:
- Those of the country where the minor lives, which tend to control departure most closely.
- Those of the country being entered.
- Those of the child’s country of nationality, if different.
This is why an Argentine family, a Brazilian family and a family of foreign tourists may need different papers for the same crossing. The age up to which a person counts as a minor is also set by each country.
The four situations
- With both parents. Besides the child’s document, it is usual to be asked to prove the relationship with an official document.
- With one parent only. An authorisation from the parent who is not travelling is usually needed, issued in the form the law requires.
- With a third party. Grandparents, uncles and aunts, a coach or a teacher generally need authorisation from both parents.
- Alone. This case carries the most requirements. Ask well in advance.
Some situations are special: a deceased parent, sole custody, surnames that do not match, an adoption in progress. In those cases carry the papers that support it and ask beforehand what is accepted.
What an authorisation looks like
Without going into each country’s detail, a travel authorisation in general:
- is issued before a notary or an authority, depending on the law;
- states which countries the minor may travel to, with whom and until when;
- is presented as an original.
If the trip passes through more than one country, make sure the authorisation covers them all. Going from Puerto Iguazú to Ciudad del Este, for example, means entering both Brazil and Paraguay.
Where to confirm
- The national migration authority of the country where the minor lives.
- The consulate of the destination country.
- A notary, for the form of the document.
Do it with weeks to spare. Getting a signature or a legalisation takes time, and in high season everything takes longer.
On a private transfer
Each family is responsible for its children’s documents. If an authorisation is missing at the border, the authorities do not let the minor leave and the driver cannot fix it. When you book, tell us the children’s ages; it also helps us bring the child seats you ask for. Requirements by destination are in our guides to documents for Paraguay and for Brazil.