If a child under 18 is travelling without both parents — with one parent, a grandparent, a school group, or alone — immigration officers will ask for proof that the parents agree. That’s the consent letter. Without it, they can stop the child at Lagos, Abuja, or at the UK/US border.
It’s not a government form in Nigeria. You write it yourself, sign it, and often get it notarized. Here’s how to do it right the first time.
When You Need One
You need a consent letter if:
- Child travels abroad with only mum or only dad
- Child travels with a relative, family friend, teacher, or coach
- Child travels alone as an unaccompanied minor
- Parents are divorced/separated and only one is travelling
- Child is applying for a visa (UK, Canada, Schengen, US all ask for it)
Airlines will ask at check-in. NIS (Nigeria Immigration Service) will ask at departure. The destination country will ask at arrival. Carry 3 printed copies.
What Must Be Inside – The Checklist
Forget long stories. Officers look for 8 facts:
- Full name of child as on passport, date of birth, passport number
- Full names, addresses, phone numbers of BOTH parents/guardians
- Full name, relationship, passport/ID number of the adult travelling with the child
- Exact travel details: destination country, flight numbers, departure and return dates
- Purpose of trip: holiday, school competition, medical, visiting family
Clear statement of consent: “I/we give full consent…” - Contact details for emergencies
Signature, date, and place signed
If only one parent is signing, explain why: “I am the sole custodial parent” or “the father is deceased” or “mother is unavailable and has given written authorization attached.”
Step-By-Step: Write It In 10 Minutes
Step 1: Use a simple heading. “Letter of Consent for Minor Travel”
Step 2: Address it generally. “To Whom It May Concern” works for immigration. If for a specific embassy, address “The Visa Officer, Canadian High Commission, Abuja.”
Step 3: Introduce the child. One sentence with all identifiers.
Step 4: State consent clearly. “I, [Parent Name], mother of, hereby give my full consent…”[Child]
Step 5: Give travel specifics. Dates, flight, who they’re with.
Step 6: Add authorization for medical decisions. This is critical. “I authorize [Adult Name] to make medical decisions in case of emergency.”
Step 7: Attach copies. List them at the bottom: child’s birth certificate, data page of child’s passport, parents’ ID (NIN slip, international passport, or driver’s licence).
Step 8: Sign and notarize. Go to a High Court or Notary Public with your ID. They will stamp it. Cost in Nigeria is ₦5,000–₦15,000 in 2026. Some embassies insist on notarization.
Sample 1: Both Parents Consenting – Child Travelling With Grandmother (UK Holiday)
LETTER OF CONSENT FOR MINOR TRAVEL
To Whom It May Concern,
We, CHINEDU EMEKA OKORO (Nigerian Passport No: B12345678, Phone: 0803 111 2222) and NGOZI AMARA OKORO (Nigerian Passport No: B87654321, Phone: 0805 333 4444), both of 12 Peter Odili Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, are the biological parents of DAVID CHINEDU OKORO, born 14 March 2012, Nigerian Passport No: B11223344.
We hereby give our full and unequivocal consent for our son David to travel to the United Kingdom for holiday from 10 August 2026 to 5 September 2026, in the company of his maternal grandmother, MRS. EUNICE AMARA NWANKWO (Nigerian Passport No: A99887766).
He will fly Air Peace P47890 departing Lagos on 10 August and return Virgin Atlantic VS651 on 5 September.
We authorize Mrs. Nwankwo to make any necessary medical decisions on our behalf during this period. We can be reached at any time on the numbers above.
Signed this 6th day of July 2026 at Port Harcourt.
________ ________
Chinedu E. Okoro Ngozi A. Okoro
Father Mother
Witnessed by Notary Public:[Stamp]
Attachments: Copy of child’s birth certificate, parents’ passports data page, child’s passport data page.
Sample 2: One Parent Travelling – Other Parent Consenting (Canada School Trip)
To The Visa Officer,
Canadian High Commission, Abuja
I, FATIMA BELLO (NIN: 12345678901), mother of AISHA BELLO (DOB: 22/09/2010, Passport: B55667788), give my full consent for Aisha to travel to Toronto, Canada with her father, MUSA BELLO, from 15 November 2026 to 20 December 2026 for an academic exchange program at Greenwood College.
I am not travelling due to work commitments in Nigeria. I have no objection to this trip and authorize Mr. Musa Bello to travel with and make decisions for our daughter.
Contact: 0706 555 6666, fatima.bello@email.com
Signed: _____ Date: 6 July 2026
Notarized at FCT High Court.
Sample 3: Single Parent / Sole Custody – Child Travelling Alone
LETTER OF CONSENT
I, GRACE OBI (Passport No: B44556677), of 45 Ozuoba Road, Port Harcourt, am the sole legal parent and guardian of EMMANUEL GRACE OBI (DOB: 05/01/2014, Passport: B77889900). The father is deceased (death certificate attached).
I give consent for Emmanuel to travel unaccompanied as a minor on Qatar Airways QR1405 from Lagos to Doha and QR15 to London on 20 December 2026, returning 10 January 2027, to visit his aunt.
I authorize Qatar Airways staff and his aunt, MRS. JOY OBI, to take custody and make emergency medical decisions.
Signed: Grace Obi – 6 July 2026
Sample 4: Short Version For Domestic Travel (For School Excursion Within Nigeria)
CONSENT LETTER
I, MR. JOHN ADEYEMI, father of TOLUWANI ADEYEMI (12 years, JS2), permit her to travel with Christ The King School, Port Harcourt, to Calabar for the National Quiz Competition from 12–16 August 2026 under the supervision of Mrs. Kemi Yusuf (Teacher, 0803…).
I consent to basic medical treatment if needed.
Signed: John Adeyemi – 0802… – 6/7/2026
What To Attach
Always staple these behind the letter:
- Copy of child’s birth certificate (shows parent names)
- Copy of data page of child’s international passport
- Copy of both parents’ valid IDs (passport or NIN slip)
- If divorced: copy of custody order
- If one parent deceased: death certificate
- If one parent unavailable: their signed consent letter too
Common Mistakes That Get Children Stopped
Writing “I allow my child to travel” without dates or destination. Too vague.
Different names on birth certificate and passport (use affidavit for name change).
Only mum signs when both parents are alive and together. Immigration will ask “where is dad?”
No phone number. Officers call to verify.
Handwritten letter with cancellations. Type it, print it.
Do You Need A Lawyer?
No. You can type it yourself. But you MUST notarize for UK, Canada, Schengen, US, and South Africa visas. In Nigeria, go to any High Court (Port Harcourt, Abuja, Lagos). Take original IDs. They’ll stamp same day.
For local travel, a signed letter with phone number is usually enough.
Quick Template You Can Copy Now
LETTER OF CONSENT FOR MINOR TRAVEL
To Whom It May Concern,
I/We, [Full Name(s) of Parent(s)], parent(s) of [Child Full Name], born [DOB], Passport No, hereby give full consent for our child to travel to [Country/City] from [departure date] to [return date] in the company of [Adult Full Name, Relationship, Passport No].[number]
Purpose of travel: [holiday/school/medical].
I/We authorize [Adult Name] to make medical decisions in case of emergency. I/We can be reached on and.[phone][email]
Signed at on.[City][Date]
________
[Parent Signature]
[Printed Name]
Notary Stamp: ___
