Child Passports and Family Travel Documents

Prepare passports, consent letters, birth records and guardianship evidence for children.

How to use this guidance

This guide explains the practical checks travelers should make before relying on a passport or travel document. Final acceptance remains itinerary- and authority-specific.

Separate passports

Separate passports should be reviewed against the traveler’s document, nationality, route, visa category and current official instructions. Keep evidence and copies where appropriate.

Parental consent

Parental consent should be reviewed against the traveler’s document, nationality, route, visa category and current official instructions. Keep evidence and copies where appropriate.

Birth certificates

Birth certificates should be reviewed against the traveler’s document, nationality, route, visa category and current official instructions. Keep evidence and copies where appropriate.

Different surnames

Different surnames should be reviewed against the traveler’s document, nationality, route, visa category and current official instructions. Keep evidence and copies where appropriate.

Unaccompanied minors

Unaccompanied minors should be reviewed against the traveler’s document, nationality, route, visa category and current official instructions. Keep evidence and copies where appropriate.

Verification workflow

Inspect the passport or travel document and record the exact identifying details.
Check the destination authority and every transit country.
Confirm the visa or authorization is linked to the same document.
Ask the airline to verify unusual document types before departure.
Carry printed and offline evidence of approvals and official correspondence.

Do not rely on a generic six-month or two-page rule when the itinerary involves an emergency, refugee, diplomatic or recently renewed document.

Related resources

Editorial notice

Reviewed 2026-08-05. Verify final requirements with the issuing passport authority, destination immigration authority and airline.