Travel documents for minors: what you need to know

With the summer holiday season approaching, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) lecturer at the Faculty of Law and Notary Assistant Inga Kudeikina advises on the documents needed when travelling abroad with children, minors travelling alone or together with a teacher, coach or grandmother.   

When travelling abroad, a child must have a passport and must be insured. If the minor is travelling together with their parents, the child must be entered in the passport of at least one of the parents. If the parents are travelling with their ID cards only, they must have the child’s birth certificate with them or a notarially certified copy. If the child is travelling with unmarried parents, the child must be recorded on the passport of at least one of the parents, or the parents must be able to present the child’s birth certificate or a notarially certified copy of the birth certificate.< /p>

Children who are citizens of the Republic of Latvia can travel in the countries of the European Union (EU) unaccompanied, without a power of attorney, however, Inga Kudeikina recommends the parents draw up a power of attorney “for a person you trust, who, if necessary, could travel to the country of the child’s destination at the earliest convenience as the laws of all countries foresee the duty of care for minors." In order to consult a doctor or any responsible official of the foreign country, the minor must be accompanied by an adult.< /p>

In case the child is travelling with someone who is not his parent, you will require the child’s birth certificate or a certified copy and, as recommended by RSU lecturer Inga Kudeikina – the parental consent, a power of attorney or a letter of confirmation. The costs of issuing a certified power of attorney (without translation) are approximately 20 EUR. < /p>

What to choose – a power of attorney or a certification? A certification is issued for children that have reached the age of 7. It does not contain the name of a specific person accompanying the child, which means that the doctor, police officer etc. of the country of destination will request to provide legal grounds on which the adult, i.e. the grandmother or the coach is accompanying the child who is travelling abroad without his parents. Because of this, Inga Kudeikina recommends you choose a power of attorney that can be obtained at any notary office and contains the name of the person with whom the child is allowed to travel. Besides, it is worth remembering that a power of attorney may be issued concurrently for several persons and can cover the term from their date of birth until they reach the legal age. Although, as a rule, no translation is needed when travelling in the EU, to avoid any potential misunderstandings with medical staff or police officers, it is recommended to prepare an English translation of the power of attorney.< /p>

"To enjoy your summer vacation and the trip abroad, think of the safety of your children and prepare the required documents in a timely manner!" recommends the lecturer of the RSU Faculty of Law.