JUST YOU AND ME - TRAVELING ALONE WITH A MINOR CHILD
Making a holiday and going on a trip is one of the greatest things you can do as a family. As an expat who has raised children in Austria you might like to visit your family and friends in your home country whenever it’s possible. If you travel with your minor child from Austria to another country, there are some things you definitely have to consider before going on a trip and make sure to meet all the entry regulations of your destination, and prepare all the documents you need - especially when traveling without your partner.
THE PARENTAL CONSENT TRAVEL DOCUMENT
When one parent is planning to travel abroad with their child and the other parent or legal guardian is not coming along, they may need to obtain a so-called parental declaration of consent from the other parent if they share legal custody. The purpose of this is because both parents typically have equal rights and responsibilities when it comes to making decisions about their child's well-being.
The parental declaration of consent document should include the full names and contact information of both parents, as well as the child's name, date of birth, and passport information. It should also include details about the trip, such as the destination, travel dates, and itinerary.
In case you are looking for a template, ÖAMTC provides a parental declaration of consent document in many different languages which can be filled and signed up by the parent who needs to give his/her consent. It is recommended to carry along the declaration of consent in English or the corresponding national language of the travel country (as well as the countries traveled through) together with a copy of the pass of the not traveling legal guardian and a copy of the birth certificate of the child.
DOES THE CONSENT DOCUMENT NEED TO BE NOTARIZED?
In some cases, such as when traveling to Greece or Bosnia and Herzegovina, the parental consent document may need to be notarized depending on the requirements of the destination country. Notarization can be obtained from a notary or at the regional court and costs, according to the ÖAMTC website, between 35 and 50 Euros.
It is important to research the specific requirements of the country you are traveling to and allow plenty of time to obtain any necessary documents, especially since terms of entry regulations may change. If you need more information on travel related and legal questions or need to find out more about the country you are planning to travel to, make sure to contact the Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs.
By following the appropriate procedures and obtaining all necessary documents, you can help ensure a smooth and successful trip while protecting the child's best interests.