Are you planning an international family vacation, a cross-border sports tournament, or a school trip? If a minor child is traveling outside of Canada without both legal parents or guardians, border officials may ask for official proof of permission to travel.
At Notary Lawyer North York, we help families avoid stressful border delays and ruined travel plans. Our licensed Notaries Public provide fast, legally compliant drafting and notarization of Consent to Travel Letters right here in North York, ensuring your child’s journey is as smooth as possible.
A Consent to Travel Letter (also known as a Child Travel Consent) is a formal legal document used to demonstrate that Canadian children traveling abroad have the permission of parents or guardians who are not accompanying them on the trip.
While it is not strictly a legal requirement by Canadian law to have this letter, the Government of Canada strongly recommends carrying a notarized consent letter to prevent issues with immigration authorities, airlines, and border agents when entering or leaving a foreign country. A notarized letter proves to authorities that the signature is genuine and not forged.
You should highly consider securing a notarized travel consent letter if your child (under the age of 18) is:
The child is accompanied by one biological or legal parent while the other parent remains at home.
The child is traveling with one parent who shares custody or visitation rights with an ex-spouse.
The child is traveling with grandparents, aunts, uncles, or adult siblings.
The child is traveling with a school group, sports team, religious organization, or tour group.
The child is flying or crossing borders alone as an unaccompanied minor.
To ensure a seamless, in-and-out experience at our North York office, please prepare the following before your visit:
You can use the official Government of Canada template or draft your own. Please fill in all the details (dates, passport numbers, flight info) but do not sign it until you are standing in front of our notary.
The parent(s) or guardian(s) who are giving consent (the ones not traveling) must present a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID (like a Passport or Driver's License) so we can legally verify their identity.
Make sure you have the exact dates of travel, destination addresses, and the accompanying chaperone's passport details accurately recorded in the letter.
Need us to write it for you? No problem! If you don’t have a letter prepared, our legal team can quickly draft a comprehensive, legally sound Consent to Travel Letter for you during your appointment.
We offer transparent, affordable pricing with zero hidden fees. You will know exactly what your notarization or drafting service costs before we begin.
| Service Details | Fee |
|---|---|
| Notarization of Travel Consent Letter - 1st signature (Keele & Finch Office) | $25.00 + HST |
| Notarization of Travel Consent Letter - 1st signature (York Mills Office) | $20.00 + HST |
| 2nd to 5th Signature (e.g., Second non-traveling parent) | $15.00 + HST each |
| 6th Signature and onward (e.g., Additional declarations) | $10.00 + HST each |
| Custom Letter Drafting Service (Optional) | Contact for quote |
Find the office closest to you. Both of our North York locations offer easy access, professional service, and ample visitor parking.
1280 Finch Ave W Unit 305, North York, ON M3J 3K6, Canada
Centrally located near Keele Street and Highway 400/401. Highly convenient for clients, students, and businesses in York University Heights, Downsview, Bathurst Manor, and Vaughan.
150 Duncan Mill Rd Unit 2, North York, ON M3B 3M4, Canada
Perfectly situated just seconds off the Don Valley Parkway (DVP) and Highway 401, making it ideal for residents of Don Mills, Bayview Village, and busy commuting professionals.
Notary Lawyer North York proudly serves clients throughout North York and the Greater Toronto Area, including York Mills, Don Mills, Downsview, Bayview Village, York University Heights, and Vaughan.
No. Only the non-traveling parent(s) or guardian(s) who are legally giving their consent need to attend the appointment. The notary is only verifying the identity and witnessing the signature of the person granting permission.
If you have sole custody, you technically do not need a consent letter from the other parent. However, border officials will likely demand proof of your custody status. You should carry a certified true copy of the official court order granting you sole custody, or a death certificate if the other parent is deceased.
While the Canadian government does not explicitly mandate notarization, they strongly recommend it. A non-notarized letter can be easily forged, and foreign border agents frequently reject unverified letters, which can result in you being denied entry to your destination or boarding your flight.
Yes! We offer convenient Online Remote Notary services. The non-traveling parent can connect with our notary via a secure video call to sign and notarize the consent letter digitally from anywhere in the world.
There is no strict expiration date for these letters, but it is highly recommended to create a specific, new letter for every individual trip. If the child travels frequently (e.g., crossing the border every weekend for a sports league), you can draft a letter that covers a specific time period (like one sports season), but border agents are more likely to question open-ended letters.
Don’t let paperwork issues stand between your family and a smooth vacation. Book your appointment online.
NOTARY LAWYER NORTH YORK
Professional Notary Public and Commissioner of Oaths services in North York, Ontario. Fast, legally binding, and affordable document notarization.
1280 Finch Ave W Unit 305, North York, ON M3J 3K6, Canada
150 Duncan Mill Rd Unit 2, North York, ON M3B 3M4, Canada
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