1. Introduction
When a child travels without both parents — whether with one parent, relatives, or guardians — airlines and immigration authorities often require formal authorization. This isn’t just a rule; it’s a protective measure ensuring that every child’s travel is secure, verified, and legally approved by their guardians. In the UAE, especially in Dubai, such documentation comes in two main forms: a Child Travel Consent Letter or a Child Travel POA. Both serve a similar purpose — confirming that a child has permission to travel with another adult — but they differ slightly in format and authority.
At Attestation Services Dubai, we simplify this process for families across the UAE through fast, online, and professional documentation services. Whether your child is traveling for a family visit, schooling abroad, or a holiday, our team ensures your paperwork is valid, recognized, and ready for any authority that requests it.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn everything about child travel POA and child travel consent letters, including their importance, contents, process, and how to get yours quickly from the comfort of your home.
2. Understanding Child Travel Documentation
2.1 What Is a Child Travel POA?
A Child Travel Consent Letter is a written document that shows one or both parents give permission for a minor to travel with someone else — such as another parent, grandparent, teacher, or guardian. It acts as official proof that the child’s journey is authorized.
This letter can be required by:
- Immigration officers at airports
- Airlines during check-in
- Foreign embassies when processing visas
- Schools organizing international trips
In most cases, the consent letter includes the child’s details, the accompanying adult’s information, and the travel destination. It’s a straightforward but crucial document that helps prevent misunderstandings or travel restrictions.
2.2 What Is a Child Travel POA?
A Child Travel POA is a slightly more formal document than a consent letter. It grants another adult temporary authority to make certain decisions for a child during travel.
For example, if a child travels with an aunt or uncle, the parents can use a POA to authorize that person to make travel, accommodation, or medical decisions during the trip.
While both documents serve similar purposes, the POA carries more weight in situations where legal decision-making or extended travel is involved.
2.3 Why These Documents Matter
Airlines, immigration offices, and even border security agencies are increasingly cautious about child travel to prevent complications such as unauthorized movement or disputes over custody.
Having a properly prepared document shows that:
- The child’s guardians are aware and have consented.
- The accompanying adult has authority to act responsibly.
- The journey follows recognized documentation standards.
By arranging your consent letter or POA in advance, you ensure peace of mind — no last-minute airport issues, no delays, and no risk of denied boarding.
3. When and Why You Need a Child Travel POA or Consent Letter
3.1 Common Situations Requiring These Documents
Parents and guardians often ask: “Do I really need a consent letter or POA for my child’s travel?”
In Dubai and across the UAE, while it may not always be legally mandatory, it’s strongly recommended — and in many cases, required by airlines or destination countries.
Here are some common scenarios where you’ll need one:
- Solo Parent Travel: When one parent is traveling with the child while the other stays behind.
- Travel with Relatives or Family Friends: When grandparents, uncles, or aunts accompany the child.
- School or Group Trips: For educational excursions abroad organized by schools.
- International Custody Situations: Where parents live in different countries or share joint custody.
- Extended Travel Abroad: When a child travels for education or long vacations.
Each of these cases requires clarity — and these documents provide exactly that.
3.2 Benefits of Having a Child Travel POA Consent Letter or
A properly drafted document offers multiple advantages:
- Smooth Airport Clearance: Avoid unnecessary questioning or travel interruptions.
- Proof of Guardian Approval: Official documentation of consent for authorities.
- Emergency Readiness: The accompanying adult can handle emergencies confidently.
- Trust and Safety: Reassures both parents and authorities about the child’s well-being.
- Global Acceptance: Properly attested documents are valid internationally.
3.3 Who Can Be Authorized
The accompanying adult can be:
- A relative (grandparent, uncle, aunt, older sibling)
- A family friend
- A school staff member or guardian
- A travel chaperone appointed by the parents
When preparing your document, it’s important that the authorized adult is clearly identified with full name, passport number, and contact details.
3.4 Duration and Validity
Typically, these documents are valid for the duration of a single trip. However, you can choose to make them valid for multiple trips or specific dates depending on your needs.
At Attestation Services Dubai, we help you prepare a customized validity period that matches your travel plan, ensuring your paperwork is always accepted.
4. Key Components of a Child Travel POA or Consent Letter
To be recognized internationally, a child travel consent letter or POA should contain specific information. This ensures clarity and acceptance by authorities.
Below are the standard sections included in every document prepared by Attestation Services Dubai:
4.1 Child’s Information
The child’s complete details must be included, such as:
- Full legal name
- Date and place of birth
- Passport or Emirates ID number
- Nationality
4.2 Accompanying Person Details
The adult traveling with the child should be identified with:
- Full name
- Relationship to the child
- Passport number and contact information
- Residence or address in the UAE
4.3 Travel Itinerary
Authorities want to see clear travel details, including:
- Destination country and cities
- Dates of departure and return
- Airline or travel method (if available)
4.4 Parental or Guardian Consent Statement
A simple, clear statement declaring that the parent(s) grant permission for the child to travel under the supervision of the named adult.
4.5 Emergency and Medical Authorization
This section allows the accompanying adult to seek medical attention or make emergency decisions on behalf of the child if needed. It’s a practical inclusion that helps avoid complications abroad.
4.6 Validity Period
Parents may specify whether the consent is valid for:
- One specific trip
- A recurring travel arrangement
- A fixed period (e.g., six months or one year)
4.7 Signatures and Authentication
The document should include signatures of the parents or guardians and must be authenticated through notarization and attestation to ensure acceptance in the UAE and abroad.
4.8 Translation and Formatting
Because Arabic is the official language in the UAE, the document is often prepared in both English and Arabic. Attestation Services Dubai ensures all documents meet this bilingual standard for maximum recognition.
5. Step-by-Step Process: How to Get a Child Travel POA or Consent Letter in Dubai
Preparing a child travel authorization doesn’t need to be complicated. At Attestation Services Dubai, we’ve simplified the process into a few clear steps so that parents and guardians can complete everything online or in person with minimal effort.
5.1 Step 1: Consultation and Document Collection
The first step is understanding your travel needs. Our team will ask for basic details such as:
- The child’s passport copy or Emirates ID
- The parent(s)’ identification documents
- Details of the accompanying adult (passport copy or Emirates ID)
- Travel itinerary or destination information
Once these are received, our experts verify the details and prepare the draft that best suits your travel plan.
5.2 Step 2: Drafting the Document
Our legal documentation specialists draft your Child Travel Consent Letter or Child Travel POA using the information provided.
The document is written in professional, standardized language to ensure smooth acceptance by airlines, immigration offices, and embassies.
We ensure:
- All key elements are present (child’s details, authorized adult, travel route)
- The wording is clear and suitable for UAE and international use
- The document reflects your specific situation, whether single parent travel or guardian travel
5.3 Step 3: Translation (If Required)
Because Dubai is a multilingual environment, documents are often required in both English and Arabic. Our in-house translation service ensures both versions are aligned word-for-word to maintain authenticity.
5.4 Step 4: Notarization
Once the draft is approved, it must be signed and notarized to become legally valid. Notarization confirms that the signatures on the document are genuine.
With Attestation Services Dubai, you can choose:
- In-person notarization at our Dubai office, or
- Online notarization, where permitted, for your convenience.
5.5 Step 5: Attestation and Legalization
To ensure international recognition, the notarized document may need to be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and sometimes by the destination country’s embassy.
We handle this entire process on your behalf — from submission to collection — saving you valuable time.
5.6 Step 6: Final Delivery
Once your document is ready, we provide:
- A digitally scanned copy (for online verification), and
- A physical copy with all seals and stamps, delivered to your preferred address.
Our clients appreciate the speed and simplicity — often receiving their finalized document within 1–2 business days, depending on requirements.
6. Pricing and Packages
At Attestation Services Dubai, we believe in transparent, affordable, and flexible pricing. We provide different package options to match every client’s requirements and urgency.
6.1 Standard Package
Perfect for single-trip child travel consent or POA documents.
- Drafting + notarization + digital delivery
- Processing time: 2 business days
6.2 Premium Package
Designed for clients who need faster turnaround or additional services.
- Priority processing within 24 hours
- Includes certified translation (English & Arabic)
- MOFA attestation included
6.3 Comprehensive Package
For international travel requiring multiple levels of legalization.
- All services from Premium Package
- Embassy attestation for destination country
- Multiple copies and courier delivery
Our pricing is competitive and tailored to your requirements. You only pay for the services you need — no hidden fees.
You can request a free quotation anytime through our website or WhatsApp chat, and our team will respond promptly with a breakdown.
7. Why Choose Attestation Services Dubai
When it comes to preparing sensitive travel documents for children, experience and reliability matter most. At Attestation Services Dubai, we combine local expertise with efficient online service to make the process effortless.
7.1 Professional Expertise
Our team specializes in preparing and attesting personal, business, and family documents in Dubai. With years of experience in child travel documentation, we understand exactly what airlines, embassies, and government offices expect.
7.2 End-to-End Service
We manage everything — from drafting and translation to notarization and final attestation. You don’t need to visit multiple offices or coordinate between agencies.
7.3 Online Service Across the UAE
Whether you’re in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, or Fujairah, our services are available 100% online. You can submit your details digitally, sign electronically (where applicable), and receive your attested documents without visiting our office.
7.4 Fast Turnaround
We understand that travel plans can be last-minute. That’s why we offer express processing options — ensuring you get your consent letter or POA in record time.
7.5 Customer Trust & Satisfaction
Our clients include parents, schools, travel agencies, and corporate organizations. Their testimonials reflect our commitment to accuracy, timeliness, and personalized service.
7.6 Competitive Advantage
Unlike many service providers who simply prepare templates, we provide customized, attested, bilingual, and internationally recognized documents ready for official use.
With Attestation Services Dubai, your child’s travel paperwork is handled by professionals who care about every detail.
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is a child travel consent letter mandatory in Dubai?
While not always legally mandatory, it’s strongly recommended. Most airlines and immigration authorities require it when a child travels without both parents. Having one prevents travel disruptions.
Q2. What’s the difference between a consent letter and a power of attorney?
A consent letter is a simple declaration of permission for travel.
A power of attorney (POA) grants additional decision-making authority to the accompanying adult, such as medical or emergency decisions during the trip.
Q3. Can I prepare these documents online?
Yes. At Attestation Services Dubai, you can complete the entire process online — from submission to notarization — without visiting our office physically.
Q4. What if the other parent cannot sign?
You may still be able to issue a consent letter as a single parent if you have custody or legal authority. We can help guide you through the documentation requirements to ensure your letter is accepted internationally.
Q5. Are bilingual documents necessary?
Yes, bilingual (English and Arabic) documents are recommended. They’re recognized across UAE government offices and foreign embassies, ensuring no translation issues later.
Q6. How long is the consent letter or POA valid?
Typically, validity matches the travel duration. However, you can request extended validity for recurring trips or multiple destinations.
Q7. Can I use one document for multiple children?
Yes, you can include multiple children in a single document, provided they share the same travel itinerary and accompanying adult. Each child’s details must be listed separately for clarity.
Q8. Can I get urgent service?
Absolutely. We offer same-day and express services for urgent travel needs. Simply inform our team, and we’ll prioritize your request.
9. Sample Example: Child Travel Consent Letter or POA
To give you a clearer idea of what a complete and professional Child Travel Consent Letter or Power of Attorney (POA) looks like, here’s a general example layout prepared by Attestation Services Dubai.
(Note: This is for informational purposes only — each document is customized for accuracy and individual cases.)
Child Travel Consent Letter Example
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
From: [Parent’s Full Name]
Address: [Parent’s Address in UAE]
Contact Number: [Parent’s Phone Number]
To Whom It May Concern,
I, [Parent’s Name], parent/legal guardian of [Child’s Full Name], born on [Date of Birth], holding passport number [Passport No.], hereby give full consent for my child to travel with [Accompanying Person’s Name], [Relationship to Child], holding passport number [Passport No.], to [Destination Country] from [Start Date] to [Return Date].
During this period, [Accompanying Person’s Name] is authorized to act on my behalf regarding any travel, accommodation, or medical matters relating to my child.
Parent/Guardian Signature: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Witness/Notary Confirmation: [Stamp & Signature]
At Attestation Services Dubai, we prepare a professionally formatted and notarized version of this letter in both English and Arabic, ensuring it meets official requirements and is accepted worldwide.
Each document is customized to match your situation — whether you’re a single parent, guardian, or both parents providing joint consent.
10. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing a Child Travel POA or Consent Letter
Many parents and guardians unintentionally make small mistakes that lead to document rejection or travel delays. Avoiding these errors will ensure a smooth journey.
10.1 Missing or Incomplete Information
Every detail — from the child’s full name to passport number — must match official records. Even a small mismatch can raise concerns with authorities.
10.2 Not Getting the Document Notarized
A handwritten or unsigned letter often lacks credibility. Notarization verifies that the signatures are genuine and the consent is legitimate. Without it, airlines or immigration officers may reject the letter.
10.3 Using Outdated Templates
Some families rely on free online templates that don’t meet UAE or international standards. Attestation Services Dubai ensures your document follows the most up-to-date formatting and requirements recognized by authorities.
10.4 Ignoring Translation Requirements
Many parents forget that official Arabic versions are often required for UAE attestation. Always prepare bilingual copies to avoid complications later.
10.5 Failing to Include Emergency Authorization
Leaving out the emergency or medical authorization clause can cause major issues abroad if medical attention is required. Always authorize your chosen guardian to make emergency decisions for the child.
10.6 Missing Attestation for International Use
If your child is traveling outside the UAE, the document often requires Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and embassy attestation. Without these stamps, it might not be recognized overseas.
10.7 Waiting Until the Last Minute
Document processing, translation, and attestation take time. Always plan at least a few days before travel. With Attestation Services Dubai, our express service ensures you’re covered even for last-minute travel needs.
11. Conclusion
Traveling with children should be a joyful experience — not a stressful one filled with documentation confusion. By preparing a Child Travel Consent Letter or Power of Attorney (POA) in advance, you ensure a smooth, hassle-free journey that meets all official requirements.
At Attestation Services Dubai, we help families all over the UAE get their child travel documents professionally drafted, translated, notarized, and attested — quickly and conveniently. Our mission is to make documentation simple, reliable, and fully compliant for every traveler.
Whether your child is traveling with one parent, relatives, or guardians, we handle everything from start to finish. With our online processing system, you can complete the entire procedure from home and receive your document on time — without standing in long queues or worrying about legal complexities.
Your child’s safety, comfort, and compliance are our top priorities.
Choose Attestation Services Dubai — your trusted partner for fast, accurate, and reliable child travel documentation.
12. Legal Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or create a client relationship. For personalized assistance, please contact Attestation Services Dubai for professional documentation services.