Travel and holiday consent

An example to adapt, not legal advice

This is example wording you can borrow and adapt. Replace anything in [square brackets] with your own details, and use the Copy button to take it as plain text.

For the rules on consent, the 28-day exception and what to do if consent is refused, see holidays and taking a child abroad. This page is just the wording.

How to use this

• Taking a child abroad normally needs the consent of everyone with parental responsibility, unless a child arrangements order says the child lives with you and the trip is under 28 days.
• For a trip inside the UK there’s no automatic legal duty to tell the other parent, but volunteering the basics is what actually keeps the peace, so do it anyway.
• Share the general destination, a contact number and a single confirmed return date (not a choice of two dates, which reads as vague).
• Make it a mutual standard: offer to share these for any trip away on the basis you both do the same.
• Ask in good time. A written consent letter, with a copy of the other parent’s ID, can help at the border.

Asking for consent

Email Copy

Hi [name], I'd like to take [child] to [destination] from [date] to [date] for a holiday. We'd be travelling [how], staying at [where], and I'll be reachable on [number] the whole time. I'll make sure [child] still has their usual time with you around the trip, and we can swap days if that helps. Are you happy to agree? I can put the details in writing for the airline if useful. Thanks, [Your name]

A consent letter to carry when travelling

Letter Copy

I, [other parent's full name], confirm that I consent to [child's full name], date of birth [DOB], travelling to [destination] with their father [your full name] from [date] to [date]. I can be contacted on [phone] and [email]. Signed: ____________________ Date: ____________

It helps to attach a copy of the signing parent’s passport or photo ID.

See also

• Holidays and taking a child abroad
• First message proposing arrangements