As overseas travel rises over the Chuseok holiday, Apostille Korea is advising families taking a minor abroad to prepare the parental travel consent in advance, noting that the document — and its certification — should be ready before the trip rather than left to the last minute.
- Many destinations ask for a parental travel consent when a minor travels without one or both parents.
- The exact form and certification depend on the destination country's rules.
- For Hague member states the consent is typically notarized, translated and apostilled; for non-members it goes through foreign-ministry and embassy legalization.
- Apostille Korea handles drafting, notarization, translation and certification online, ahead of the holiday rush.
Why a parental consent matters during Chuseok travel
During the Chuseok holiday, families often travel abroad with children, and many destination countries protect minors by asking for evidence that the accompanying adult has the parents' permission. When a child travels with only one parent, with relatives, or alone, immigration officers may request a parental travel consent at the border. Because the holiday creates a concentrated wave of departures, Apostille Korea says the document should be prepared early: a consent that is incomplete, untranslated or not yet certified can hold up a family at check-in or arrival, exactly when offices are closed for the holiday.
How the consent is certified for each destination
The certification route follows the destination country. For a country that belongs to the Hague Apostille Convention, the consent is generally notarized, translated, and apostilled so it is recognized abroad. For a country outside the Convention, it instead goes through foreign-ministry confirmation and then legalization at that country's embassy. Apostille Korea says it prepares the wording, notarization, translation and the matching certification online, so families can finish the paperwork without an in-person visit and have it in hand before they leave for the Chuseok trip.
Frequently asked questions
When should I prepare the consent?
Before departure, with margin for the holiday. Certification can take several business days, and offices close during Chuseok, so starting one to two weeks ahead is safer.
My child is travelling with only one parent — is a consent still needed?
Often yes. Many countries request a parental travel consent whenever a minor is not accompanied by both parents. Confirm the destination's rule before you travel.
How is the consent certified for use abroad?
It depends on the destination: notarization, translation and apostille for a Hague member country, or foreign-ministry and embassy legalization for a non-member.
Source: 이투뉴스 (e2news.com) ↗