Permission to travel with a minor child
What would you like help with?
Do not take a child across the border without the required permission. This may be treated as international child abduction.
Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
If a minor child travels abroad without all parents with parental authority, permission must be demonstrable. This helps prevent international child abduction.
General information about Dutch law · Review date not recorded · How we work
On this page
Check who has parental authority
In the case of joint parental authority, permission from the parent with parental authority who remains behind is required. In the case of sole parental authority, you must be able to demonstrate that you alone have parental authority.
Take the correct evidence with you
Use a completed consent form for each child. Also take valid travel documents and evidence of parental authority, relationship and any travel arrangements. Also check the requirements of the destination country.
Permission is refused
Request permission in writing in good time, including travel dates, accommodation address and contact details. If refusal continues without a solution, substitute consent from the court may be required.
Your checklist
Prepare your next stepFill in and save · Word
Tick what you have checked or collected. Note what is missing and take your overview to a meeting.
Unless saved in My overview: Your entries stay only on this screen. Download before leaving; closing or reloading clears them. Do not enter identity numbers, passwords or unnecessary personal details.
What do you still need for your next step?
Item 1 / 6 · Where do you stand with this item?
Valid passport or identity card
This overview follows your own answers. It does not assess your rights or guarantee that your file is complete.
Your choices stay here. Use the buttons below if you want to save or download.
View all details, notes and timeline
Your timeline and evidence
List events and contacts. Note where you keep the evidence; no upload is needed.
What goes in my timeline?
Record what happened, when, the response and where to find the letter, message or photo. Mark uncertain dates.
Is my evidence sent?
No. You only note where it is kept. No files are uploaded or sent automatically.
How do I save my timeline?
Your entries are not saved automatically. Choose Save and continue later to store this preparation, including your timeline, in My overview. Wait for confirmation and save new changes again. You can also download a Word file without an account.
Up to 20 events. Choose a different position for an event to change the order.
0 / 6 · Checked or collected
For each event, note the date, what happened and where the evidence is kept. Example: 3 October — letter received — correspondence folder.
Describe the solution you would like, such as an explanation of a deduction and repayment of the outstanding amount.
For example: which document is missing, who can provide it and what should I do first?
Record the date and its source. If unknown, note this and check promptly. This tool does not calculate or monitor deadlines.
After your conversation
These are your own notes. Confirm agreements with the other person; these notes do not prove their agreement.
This is your preparation, not a submitted request, objection or legally reviewed document. A tick records only your own progress. Check the procedure and deadline in the original letter.
Save and continue later
Clear entries
Download anything you want to keep first. Clearing cannot be undone.
- Valid passport or identity card
- Consent form for each child
- Copy of the other parent's proof of identity
- Proof of parental authority
- Travel dates and accommodation address
- Rules of destination and transit countries
Frequently asked questions
Do I need permission in the case of sole parental authority?
Not from the other parent without parental authority, but you must be able to prove during an inspection that you alone have parental authority.
Does the form also apply if the child travels with grandparents?
Yes, a companion without parental authority must also be able to demonstrate permission from the parent or parents with parental authority.