How to obtain permission for a child to travel abroad: everything you need to know

Obtaining a child's travel permit is an important step in any trip abroad. In 2025, especially in the context of war, the process has become simpler but still requires diligence and preparation. Find out what rules apply when travelling abroad with a child

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When planning a trip abroad with a child, it is important to familiarise yourself with the regulatory requirements in advance. A travel permit is not a formality, but a means of protecting the rights of the child and parents. Since 24 February 2022, due to the martial law in Ukraine, the rules have been significantly simplified: when travelling with one parent or close relatives, the consent of the other parent is not required, but it is important to understand in which cases and what documents are required. Please note that this applies to children under the age of 16 — special rules apply to them.

When is consent required for travel?

When accompanying a child crossing the border, different rules apply depending on family ties. If accompanied by:

▪️ One parent — the consent of the other parent is not required if martial law is in effect; a passport or birth certificate is sufficient.

▪️ Close relatives (grandparents, adult siblings) — consent is not required, family ties must be confirmed by documents.

▪️ Third parties (coaches, teachers, etc.) — a notarised written power of attorney from one of the parents is required when accompanying the child.

▪️ Unaccompanied — according to the law, children under 16 can only travel with an accompanying person; an agreed document is always required for unaccompanied travel.

Exceptions when consent is required from only one parent, not both:

▪️ The other parent is a foreigner or stateless person;

▪️ No record of one of the parents in the birth certificate or passport (e.g., deceased, deprived of parental rights, declared incapacitated/missing, or has child support arrears of more than 4 months).

For more details on whether a parent's permission is required for a child to travel abroad in 2025, please see here.

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What documents are required when crossing the border with a child?

1. Child's passport (biometric foreign passport, if available);

2. Birth certificate – required if the child does not have a passport or is not accompanied by a parent;

3. Passport of the accompanying person – Ukrainian, when travelling with a parent or relative;

4. Documents confirming kinship – originals/copies: certificate, references, extracts.

Also, don't forget that any trip abroad requires a careful approach to your safety. That's why it's important to get medical insurance in advance, which will give you complete confidence in the protection of your health and unforeseen expenses in case of emergencies. You can get this insurance at Visit Ukraine.

What documents are required to issue a power of attorney for a child?

1. Passport(s) of the parent(s) giving consent;

2. Tax identification number;

3. Travel details: itinerary, countries, dates.

Procedure for issuing a power of attorney

As for the procedure for obtaining a power of attorney, the first step is to collect the necessary documents. By the way, the lawyers at Visit Ukraine will always help you with this. Our specialists will advise you and answer any other questions you may have about travelling abroad.

After collecting the documents, you need to contact a notary who will check all signatures, affix their seal and register the document.

Please note that you can choose the type of power of attorney: one-time (for a specific trip with exact dates) or multiple (for a number of trips as agreed with the notary).

Is it possible to leave Ukraine with a child without the consent of the other parent, and how can the court help?

If you are an accompanying person and have the consent of only one parent, you can only leave the country with your child without the consent of the other parent in the following cases:

1. Alimony debt > 4 months;

2. Death or incapacity of the other parent, etc. (certificate, references, court decisions are required).

Through the court

If consent cannot be obtained, prepare:

1. A claim for permission to leave;

2. Documents about the purpose of the trip (education, medical treatment, sports);

3. Proof of attempts to obtain consent;

4. Receipt of payment of the fee.

Consideration of such a case usually takes 1-2 months (under a simplified procedure).

If you need practical assistance, please contact the lawyers at Visit Ukraine!

Reminder! The procedure for confirming a child's citizenship in Ukraine is mandatory for obtaining a Ukrainian passport and other important documents. Find out about the necessary documents, processing times and the specifics of the procedure for different categories of applicants.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

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Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

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