What documents children need to travel abroad
A child's travel documents aren't quite the same list as an adult's — their own passport, sometimes a consent letter, sometimes a vaccination record. Here's how to gather what's needed and keep each child's documents separate if you have more than one.
Why children's documents are their own topic
A child doesn't need the same paperwork as an adult: many trips call for a consent letter, and the rules differ by the child's age and by who they're travelling with — both parents, one parent, or neither. It's calmer to sort this out ahead of time than at check-in.
The basic document list for a child
Start with what's needed for almost any trip, then check the rest for your route.
- •Child's own passport (not added to a parent's)
- •Birth certificate — often requested alongside the passport
- •Visa or entry permit, if required for the route
When a consent letter is needed
If a child is travelling with one parent, a grandparent, another relative, or unaccompanied, some routes require a consent letter from the other parent or both parents. The rules depend on the country of departure and destination, so check the official requirements in advance. doki.help doesn't issue consent letters or give legal or immigration advice — it stores documents and sends reminders about deadlines.
Medical documents for a child
Travel insurance is worth having, and a vaccination certificate can be requested by some countries, schools or camps abroad, depending on the destination and purpose of the trip. Requirements vary, so check them officially.
Keeping documents straight with more than one child
Give each child their own profile and keep their documents there, so one child's passport doesn't end up mixed in with another's insurance policy. In doki.help you can organize documents by each family member separately.
How doki.help helps
doki.help keeps each child's documents in private storage, transferred over HTTPS, with access isolated to your family at the database level (row-level security). Owner, editor and viewer roles let you decide who sees what, and two-factor login is available. Add the "valid until" date on a passport or visa and get an email reminder 30, 15, 7 and 1 day before. Share a single document with a link that expires and can be revoked, with a view limit and a log of every open — the recipient needs no account. It's in beta, doesn't replace your originals, and doesn't issue consent letters — check the official requirements of the departure and destination countries.
FAQ
What documents does a child need to travel abroad?
Usually their own passport, a birth certificate, and a visa if the route requires one. Some trips also need a consent letter — the rules depend on the country, so check officially.
Does a child need a consent letter to travel with one parent?
Sometimes, depending on the country of departure and destination. doki.help doesn't issue these letters or give legal advice, so check the official requirements in advance.
How do I keep documents straight with several children?
Give each child their own profile so their documents don't get mixed up with a sibling's or a parent's.
Will I be reminded before my child's passport expires?
Yes, by email, before the "valid until" date you set. The reminder comes 30, 15, 7 and 1 day before that date.
Can I securely share a child's document with a school or relative?
Yes. Share it with a link that expires and can be revoked at any time, with a view limit and a log of every open — the recipient needs no account.
Less than 15 minutes — and order that lasts.
Organize your child's travel documents