Planning an exciting overseas trip with a beloved grandchild? As important as the flight and hotel is the parental travel consent that ensures the minor's safe entry. As child-protection checks tighten worldwide, more travelers are held up at the airport without it. Depending on whether the destination — Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan and so on — is a Hague country, it is handled by apostille or by embassy legalization. Apostille Korea's unaccompanied-minor team handles it in one stop.
What is a parental travel consent?
A parental travel consent (Parental Travel Consent Letter / Parental Authorization Letter) officially proves that a parent who is not traveling consents to a minor's trip, used when the child is not accompanied by both parents. Under international human-rights norms it is strongly recommended to prevent child abduction, trafficking and forced departure — and if it is requested and you don't have it, entry can be refused.
When do you need one?
- A grandparent and grandchild travel abroad on their own
- Only one parent travels with the child
- Group departures — school trips, church or religious-group service trips
- A child attends an overseas camp or language program with an escort teacher
- A minor boards a flight alone
Documents to prepare
| Document | Purpose | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Parental travel consent | Proof of guardian consent | Must match passport romanized name |
| English family relation certificate | Proves parent–child relationship | Issuable via Gov24 |
| Minor's & parents' passport copies | Identity verification | Confirm romanized names match |
| Basic certificate (detailed) | Confirms guardianship | For single-parent / sole custody |
The process
- Draft the consentWritten to match the child's and parents' passport romanized names exactly, then translated into the destination language with administrative-scrivener verification.
- Notarization agencyThe parents' hand-signed consent is notarized to publicly confirm its authenticity.
- Apostille or embassy legalizationHague countries (U.S., Japan, Taiwan, etc.) finish with an apostille. Non-members like Vietnam or the Philippines need MOFA consular confirmation, then embassy legalization in Korea.
- Receive documents & prepare to travelCarry the finished original; scans or copies may not be accepted depending on the officer.
How to apply
Tell us the destination and that you need a parental travel consent. Our dedicated unaccompanied-minor team handles documents to each country's standard. Groups of ten or more save on cost, and a rush service is available for urgent departures.
FAQ
Can entry really be denied without a parental travel consent?
Yes. If a local immigration officer asks for it and you can't present it, the minor may be denied entry and sent home. Airlines sometimes check at check-in too.
What documents does a grandparent need to take a grandchild abroad?
Besides the consent: an English family relation certificate (or a notarized translation of the Korean version), the minor's passport and the grandparent's passport. A basic certificate and others may be added depending on the destination and situation.
Does an apostille work for non-members like Vietnam or the Philippines?
No. Non-members require MOFA consular confirmation and legalization at that country's embassy in Korea — not an apostille.
If there are several children, does each need their own documents?
Immigration is handled per person, so prepare separate documents under each child's name.
How do single-parent or sole-custody families prepare?
Provide a consent signed by the one guardian, plus a translated and notarized detailed basic certificate proving custody.
Why Apostille Korea
- One-stop remote handling — issuance, translation, notarization, authentication and delivery — all online.
- 180-country network — country-specific teams who know each destination's submission standards.
- 300,000+ cases handled — experience and 99% satisfaction that minimize the risk of rejection.
- Recognized credibility — selected for 'Innovative Companies, National Representatives 1000', and backed by professional liability insurance.
- B2B strength — 10,000+ corporate clients and an official export-voucher provider.