Authorization for Minor to Travel Abroad Colombia (Autorización de Viaje de Menor al Exterior)

The Minor's Travel Authorization Abroad in Colombia is a legally mandatory document issued by the father, mother or legal guardian of a Colombian minor — defined as any person under 18 years of age pursuant to Article 3 of Law 1098 of 2006 (Childhood and Adolescence Code, Codigo de la Infancia y la Adolescencia) — authorizing the minor to travel internationally without both parents present. The document is required by the Colombian Migration Police (Policia de Migracion Colombia, under Decree 4062 of 2011) at the point of international departure when a minor travels accompanied by only one parent, with a third party (relative, teacher, tour operator), or alone.

The legal basis for this authorization is rooted in the State's obligation to protect children from international trafficking and abduction. Law 1098 of 2006, Article 108, establishes that children cannot be removed from Colombian territory without the consent of both parents or legal guardians. Decree 4840 of 2007 (which regulates international travel of minors) specifies the documentation required and the procedure before the Colombian Notary (Notaria). The Haague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (1980), to which Colombia acceded through Law 173 of 1994, provides the international framework for the return of abducted minors.

The authorization must be granted before a Colombian Notary (Notaria Publica) when the authorizing parent is in Colombia, or before the Colombian Consul in the country where the parent resides when the parent is abroad. The notarized authorization is apostilled if the destination country requires it under the Hague Apostille Convention (to which Colombia acceded through Law 455 of 1998). Migracion Colombia verifies the authorization at the point of departure and may deny exit to the minor if the documentation is incomplete or irregular.

Colombian legislation distinguishes between the travel authorization for a single trip (with specific dates and destination country) and the open authorization for multiple trips within a validity period. The single-trip authorization is the standard form accepted by Migracion Colombia; the open authorization requires judicial approval in certain circumstances. forms-legal.com provides this Minor's Travel Authorization template compliant with current Migracion Colombia requirements and Decree 4840 of 2007 for 2025.

The Minor's Travel Authorization Abroad is required in the following situations under Colombian law:

Minor traveling with only one parent: When a child travels internationally accompanied by only their mother or only their father, the absent parent must provide a notarized authorization. This is the most common scenario — family vacations, school trips, medical treatment abroad — where one parent's work or immigration status prevents joint travel.

Minor traveling with a third party: When a minor travels with grandparents, uncles, aunts, family friends, a school group, a sports team or a tour operator, both parents (or the sole legal guardian) must provide the authorization. The accompanying adult must carry the original notarized authorization at all times during the trip.

Unaccompanied minor (UM): When a child travels alone on an airline (typically using the airline's unaccompanied minor service), both parents must authorize the trip and the airline must receive the notarized authorization before accepting the minor for transport. IATA guidelines and the airlines operating in Colombia (Avianca, LATAM, Copa Airlines, American Airlines) have specific UM procedures that incorporate this requirement.

Minor with single parent or sole custody: When the minor lives with only one parent due to death of the other parent, sole custody order, or legal incapacity, the sole parent must provide notarized proof of their exclusive parental authority (custody order, death certificate, incapacity declaration) in addition to the travel authorization.

Colombian minor residing abroad: When a Colombian minor who resides outside Colombia travels internationally from their country of residence, the authorization from the absent parent must be granted before the Colombian Consul with jurisdiction over the parent's place of residence, and apostilled as required by the destination country.

Emergency medical travel: When a minor requires urgent medical treatment abroad, Migracion Colombia may apply expedited procedures, but a notarized authorization (even if obtained urgently) remains required unless a family court (juzgado de familia) issues an emergency authorization under Article 108 of Law 1098 of 2006.

The Minor's Travel Authorization Abroad in Colombia must include the following mandatory elements as required by Decree 4840 of 2007 and Migracion Colombia:

Identification of the authorizing parent or guardian: Full name, national ID number (cedula de ciudadania for Colombians) or passport number (for foreign residents), domicile and civil status (married, single, divorced, widowed). If both parents authorize jointly, both must appear in person at the Notaria or sign separately before a Notary or Colombian Consul.

Identification of the minor: Full legal name exactly as it appears in the minor's Colombian passport (pasaporte colombiano) or national ID card (Tarjeta de Identidad), date of birth, place of birth, and passport or ID number. The minor's relationship to the authorizing parent must be specified (biological child, adopted child, stepchild under custody).

Destination country or countries: Specific country or list of countries to which the minor is authorized to travel. An authorization for a single country does not authorize travel through third countries unless they are explicitly included. For open authorizations, the geographic scope must be defined.

Travel dates: Start date and end date of the authorized travel period. Migracion Colombia requires that the authorization cover the full duration of the trip, including any layovers. An expired authorization will be rejected at departure even if the minor has not yet returned.

Identity of the accompanying person: Full name and ID document of the adult accompanying the minor, or indication that the minor will travel unaccompanied. If the minor will be received abroad by a specific person, that person's identity and address may be included.

Notarization and apostille: The authorization must be granted before a Colombian Notary (Notaria Publica) in Colombia, or before the Colombian Consul abroad. If the destination country requires an apostille, the document must be apostilled by the Superintendencia de Notariado y Registro under the Hague Apostille Convention (Law 455 of 1998). Migracion Colombia verifies the notarial seal and the authorizing parent's signature at the point of departure.

Special circumstances: If only one parent has parental authority (patria potestad) due to the other parent's death, legal incapacity, absence, or a family court order suspending parental rights, the sole authorizing parent must attach supporting documentation (death certificate, court order, declaration of absence).

Validity and revocability: The authorization is valid for the specified travel period. The authorizing parent may revoke the authorization at any time before departure by notifying Migracion Colombia in writing. forms-legal.com provides this Minor's Travel Authorization template meeting all current Migracion Colombia, Notaria and Decreto 4840 of 2007 requirements for 2025.