Permission to Travel Letter (New Zealand)
Parental Travel Consent — Care of Children Act 2004
PARENTAL CONSENT TO TRAVEL LETTER
Care of Children Act 2004 (New Zealand)
Date: [Letter Date]
From: [Consenting Parent Name]
[Consenting Parent Address]
Phone: [Consenting Parent Phone]
Email: [Consenting Parent Email]
To Whom It May Concern,
RE: PARENTAL CONSENT TO INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL — [Child Name]
1. Consent Statement
I, [Consenting Parent Name], [Consenting Parent Relationship] of [Child Name] (date of birth: [Child Date of Birth], passport number: [Child Passport Number], nationality: [Child Nationality]), hereby give my full and unconditional consent for [Child Name] to travel internationally as detailed below.
I make this consent in accordance with my obligations as a guardian under the Care of Children Act 2004 (NZ) and confirm that this consent is freely and voluntarily given.
2. Travel Details
Destination(s): [Destination Country]
Departure date from New Zealand: [Departure Date]
Expected return date to New Zealand: [Return Date]
Purpose of travel: [Purpose of Travel]
Accommodation: [Accommodation Details]
3. Accompanying Adult
[Child Name] will be travelling with [Companion Name] ([Companion Relationship], passport number: [Companion Passport Number]). I authorise [Companion Name] to accompany [Child Name] on this trip and to make any reasonable decisions regarding the child's welfare and travel arrangements during the stated period.
4. Guardianship
Regarding the guardianship of [Child Name]: [Other Guardian Status]. Other parent / guardian: [Other Guardian Name].
5. Emergency Contact in New Zealand
In case of emergency, the following person in New Zealand can be contacted:
Name: [Emergency Contact Name]
Relationship: [Emergency Contact Relationship]
Phone: [Emergency Contact Phone]
6. Declaration
I declare that the information provided in this letter is true and correct. I am available to be contacted to verify this consent at the phone number and email address provided above.
Signed: ___________________________
Name: [Consenting Parent Name]
Date: [Letter Date]
Consenting Parent / Guardian
________________
Signature
Date: ________________
What Is a Permission to Travel Letter (New Zealand)?
A Permission to Travel Letter in New Zealand records the care, contact, and decision-making arrangements for a child between the parents or guardians, consistent with the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017.
Under the Care of Children Act 2004 (COCA 2004), guardianship of a child includes the responsibility for determining matters of importance in the child's life, including international travel. Section 16 of COCA 2004 requires that a guardian must not remove a child from New Zealand — or consent to the child being removed — in contravention of a parenting order, without the consent of the other guardian or guardians, or contrary to any court order.
A parental travel consent letter serves several purposes in the New Zealand and international context. First, it provides evidence that the non-travelling parent or guardian is aware of and consents to the trip, reducing the risk of the child being stopped at the New Zealand border or at the destination country's immigration control. Second, it helps airline staff verify that the child's travel has been authorised by their parent or guardian, particularly where the accompanying adult is not a parent. Third, many destination countries — including Australia, the United States, Canada, and European Union member states — have their own requirements for consent documentation when children travel internationally, and a well-prepared consent letter helps meet those requirements.
New Zealand children — particularly those travelling to Australia, which is by far the most common international destination — may be questioned by the Australian Border Force if accompanied by only one parent or a non-parent adult. While Australia does not have a statutory requirement for a written consent letter, the Australian Border Force advises strongly that a consent letter should be carried.
For New Zealand Māori families and families with cross-cultural connections, the Care of Children Act 2004 also recognises the importance of whakapapa, cultural identity, and tikanga Māori in matters affecting tamariki (children). A consent letter may be needed to support visits to whānau in other countries, cultural exchange visits, or educational trips.
The letter should be prepared before travel, witnessed by a Justice of the Peace (JP) where possible, and carried with the child's passport throughout the trip. In cases where there is a parenting order under COCA 2004 that restricts travel, legal advice from a New Zealand family lawyer is essential before attempting to travel internationally with a child.
When Do You Need a Permission to Travel Letter (New Zealand)?
A Permission to Travel Letter is needed in New Zealand in a range of circumstances involving international travel by children.
The most common situation in which a travel consent letter is needed is when a child is travelling internationally with only one parent. Even where there is no legal prohibition on the travel, immigration authorities in New Zealand and destination countries may question why the other parent is not present and may ask for documentation confirming consent. This is particularly common when travelling to or from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
A travel consent letter is also needed when a child is travelling with a non-parent adult, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, family friend, or school teacher. In these cases, border control agencies need to verify that the child's parents or guardians have authorised the adult to travel with the child. Airlines may also require documentation from a non-parent adult accompanying a child.
When a child is travelling as an unaccompanied minor — without any accompanying adult — airlines require UM documentation and parents or guardians need to provide contact details and consent for the specific airline's process. A written consent letter should still be prepared and given to the child.
For divorced or separated families where there is a parenting order under the Care of Children Act 2004, international travel typically requires the consent of both parties or a variation of the parenting order permitting the travel. A consent letter from the non-travelling parent — ideally prepared with legal advice — is essential in these situations.
In all cases, a travel consent letter should be prepared well in advance of the intended travel date, signed, witnessed by a JP if possible, and kept with the child's travel documents throughout the journey. Copies should be provided to the accompanying adult and retained by the consenting parent.
What to Include in Your Permission to Travel Letter (New Zealand)
An effective New Zealand Permission to Travel Letter should include all of the following key elements to be recognised and accepted by airlines, border control agencies, and immigration authorities.
Consenting parent or guardian's details: The full legal name, relationship to the child, New Zealand address, phone number, and email of the parent or guardian giving consent. These details must be accurate and verifiable. The consenting parent should be clearly identified as the mother, father, legal guardian, or adoptive parent.
Child's identifying information: The child's full legal name, date of birth, passport number, and nationality. All details must match the child's passport exactly. Any discrepancy between the consent letter and the child's passport may result in the letter being rejected.
Accompanying adult's details: The full name, relationship to the child, and passport number of the adult accompanying the child. For non-parent adults, it is particularly important that their identity is clearly stated and verified.
Travel details: The specific destination country or countries, the departure date from New Zealand, the expected return date, and the purpose of travel. Vague travel descriptions (such as 'visiting family') should be supplemented with accommodation details where possible.
Guardianship status: A statement regarding the situation of the other parent or guardian — whether they have also consented, whether the consenting parent is the sole guardian, whether the other parent is deceased, or whether a court order under the Care of Children Act 2004 is in place.
Emergency contact: The name, relationship, and New Zealand phone number of a person in New Zealand who can be reached in an emergency during the trip.
Witness or certification: While not legally required in New Zealand, a JP or solicitor's witnessing of the letter significantly increases its credibility. The letter should be dated and signed.
Date: The letter should be dated close to the travel date. Stale letters may be questioned or rejected by immigration authorities. The forms-legal.com Permission to Travel Letter (New Zealand) provides a ready-to-use template that meets New Zealand legal requirements.
Cite this page
Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Permission to Travel Letter (New Zealand) (New Zealand) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/new-zealand/personal/family/permission-to-travel-letter-new-zealand
"Permission to Travel Letter (New Zealand) (New Zealand)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/new-zealand/personal/family/permission-to-travel-letter-new-zealand.
@misc{formslegal-permission-to-travel-letter-new-zealand,
author = {{Forms Legal}},
title = {Permission to Travel Letter (New Zealand) (New Zealand)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/new-zealand/personal/family/permission-to-travel-letter-new-zealand}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017}
}Also available for these jurisdictions:
Frequently Asked Questions
New Zealand does not have a strict legal requirement for a written parental consent letter for every child travelling internationally. However, under the Care of Children Act 2004 (NZ), a guardian must not remove a child from New Zealand contrary to a parenting or guardianship order. Many destination countries — including Australia, the United States, Canada, and most European Union countries — strongly recommend or require a written parental consent letter when a child is travelling with only one parent, a non-parent adult, or alone. Airlines and border control agencies in destination countries may request a consent letter to verify that the child has permission to travel. Immigration New Zealand may also question returning children travelling with a single parent or non-parent. established standards is always to prepare a consent letter, have it witnessed by a New Zealand Justice of the Peace (JP), and carry it with the child's passport. A letter certified by a JP at jps.org.nz carries additional authority with immigration officials.
A child travel consent letter for New Zealand travel should include the following elements. First, the consenting parent or guardian's full legal name, address, phone, and email. Second, the child's full legal name, date of birth, passport number, and nationality — all matching the child's actual passport. Third, the full name, relationship, and passport number of the adult accompanying the child. Fourth, the specific destination countries, departure date, and expected return date. Fifth, the purpose of travel. Sixth, an emergency contact in New Zealand who can be reached during the trip. Seventh, a statement about the guardianship situation — whether both parents have consented, whether one parent is the sole guardian, or whether a court order is in place under the Care of Children Act 2004. Finally, the letter should be dated, signed, and ideally witnessed by a Justice of the Peace or New Zealand solicitor. Avoid vague consent letters — immigration officials in destination countries may reject letters that do not clearly identify the parties and the scope of travel.
Taking a child overseas without the consent of the other guardian is potentially a serious breach of the Care of Children Act 2004 (NZ) and may also constitute an offence under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act and international child abduction law. New Zealand is a signatory to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction 1980, which provides a mechanism for the return of internationally abducted children between signatory countries. Under the Care of Children Act 2004, a court can make an order preventing a child from being removed from New Zealand (a 'non-removal' order). If a child is wrongfully removed, the left-behind parent can apply to the Family Court of New Zealand under the Care of Children Act 2004 and to the relevant Hague Convention Central Authority. It is critical that if you have concerns about your child being taken overseas without consent, you obtain legal advice immediately from a New Zealand family lawyer and consider applying for a non-removal order from the Family Court.
New Zealand does not legally require a parental travel consent letter to be witnessed or notarised. However, witnessing by a Justice of the Peace (JP) or New Zealand solicitor significantly increases the letter's credibility and reduces the likelihood that immigration officials in destination countries will question it. A JP can witness your signature on the letter and certify a copy. JP services are free throughout New Zealand — find your local JP at jps.org.nz. For travel to some countries, particularly where the letter may be used with immigration authorities, it may be advisable to have the letter apostilled by the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs if the destination country requires an apostille under the Hague Apostille Convention 1961. Your local solicitor or the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs can advise on apostille requirements for specific countries.
Yes, a child can travel internationally as an unaccompanied minor, but specific airline and destination country requirements apply. Most airlines have unaccompanied minor (UM) policies that require advance booking of UM services, payment of a UM fee, and completion of UM documentation before travel. Airlines typically set a minimum age for unaccompanied international travel — commonly 12 to 16 years depending on the route. A parental consent letter should clearly state that the child is travelling as an unaccompanied minor and should include the full contact details of a responsible adult in both New Zealand and the destination country. Destination country immigration may require additional documentation. Under the Care of Children Act 2004 (NZ), all guardians should consent to the child travelling as an unaccompanied minor. Parents should contact their chosen airline directly for specific unaccompanied minor requirements well in advance of the intended travel date.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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