If your minor child is traveling abroad without you, it is advisable to provide them with an informal letter of consent along with the necessary identification documents. This letter confirms your agreement to the trip.

The consent form should include the following information:

• Your child's personal details
• Your personal details and how to contact you
• Itinerary
• If applicable, the personal details of the accompanying adults

If your child has a different surname than you, it is advisable to include a copy of the birth certificate.

In some countries, a declaration of consent is not only recommended but mandatory. You may also need to have the declaration notarized and, if necessary, provide a translation of the entire declaration of consent into the local language. You can find the specific regulations for each destination country in the travel and security advice of the Federal Foreign Office. If you require further information, you can also contact the embassy or consulate of your destination country in Germany.

You can obtain a certified copy from various places, for example at:

• a notary public
• an authority such as your city administration

In some countries, a declaration of consent may also be required if the child is traveling with you alone, even though both parents have custody. In this case, you will need a notarized declaration of consent from the other parent with custody. Otherwise, you would have to present a court order regarding custody.