Traveling with Children

Your child must have a valid passport or identity Map. This also applies if your child is under 14 years of age.

Are you traveling abroad with your children, and do they have a different last name? If so, this could cause problems during passport control at the airport. The parents, guardians, or persons with legal custody of the child must provide that authorisation .

When a parent traveling alone needs authorisation

Various situations may arise where a parent travels alone with a minor child. For example:

A parent with joint custody is traveling alone with a child. For this, you will need authorisation the following
A parent with sole parental authority (single parent) is traveling alone with a child. You do not need a authorisation for this, but you do needadditional documents
A parent without parental authority is traveling alone with a child. For this, you will need authorisation the following
If one parent has passed away, you will need an extract from the parental authority registry. Youcan request an extract from the parental authority registry in writing at. You can do this at a court in your local area ( neighbourhood).

How does it work?

Please take into account additional rules and extensive checks by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee at the borders. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee checks parents who travel into or out of the Schengen area alone with a child. This is done to prevent international child abduction.

What to do?

Check the website of Rijksoverheid to see if you need a " authorisation " (statement of consent) from, for example, the other parent.
If you need a " authorisation ," please fill out the form titled "authorisation : Traveling Abroad with a ' minor '" at .
Sign the form together with the other parent.
If you are travelling with multiple children, complete a authorisation form for each child.
If necessary: an extract from the custody register.

Your child is travelling with another adult

If your child is under 18 years of age and is traveling abroad with another adult, a “ authorisation ” (Travel Authorization) from the parent(s) with legal custody is required. Examples include a vacation with a grandparent or the parents of a friend. You can arrange this using the form “authorisation : Traveling Abroad with minor ”.