A consent letter is recommended, not legally required in Canada. Check the airline and destination, prepare the unsigned letter, and book an online declaration appointment or an in-person [Orléans office](/locations/orleans) or mobile visit if notarization is chosen.
Last updated: September 23, 2026
Last-Minute Travel Consent Letter Ottawa: What to Do When the Flight Is Tomorrow
Quick answer: A child travel consent letter records permission from a non-travelling person with decision-making responsibility. It is not legally required in Canada, but the Government of Canada recommends carrying one because officials or airlines may ask for it. Any adult may witness it; the Government strongly recommends a notary public. Minute Notary can commission the letter online when it is prepared as a statutory declaration (the parent declares the consent and the notary commissions the declaration over secure video under O. Reg. 431/20), or witness the signature in person at our Orléans office or by mobile visit when the airline, border service or consulate asks for a notary-witnessed signature — $24.95 per seal plus HST either way, subject to the appointment calendar. Check the airline and destination rules, review the Travel Consent Letters service, leave the letter unsigned, and book with travel consent preselected.
The three decisions to make now
| Question | Current guidance | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Is the letter legally required in Canada? | No. The Government of Canada recommends it, and officials or airlines may ask for it. | Check the airline and destination-country instructions. |
| Must a notary witness it? | No. Any adult may witness it; the Government strongly recommends a notary public. | Follow any receiver-specific witness or form requirement. |
| Can Minute Notary help before the flight? | Online commissioning (as a statutory declaration), our Orléans office, and mobile visits are available when the calendar has a slot. | Leave the letter unsigned and check the exact booking path. |
No witness or seal guarantees boarding or entry. The airline and destination authority apply their own rules.
What to prepare before booking
- The Government of Canada consent-letter form or another complete draft.
- The child's name and travel details exactly as they appear in the travel documents.
- The names and contact details of the travelling and non-travelling adults.
- Valid government-issued photo ID for each person signing before the notary.
- The document unsigned. A notary cannot retroactively witness a signature.
- Any airline, destination, court-order, or receiving-party instructions relevant to the trip.
Carry the original signed letter while travelling. Ask the airline whether it requires a specific form, translation, supporting document, or original before relying on the letter.
In-person notarial witnessing
For a notary-witnessed signature, the signer attends our Orléans office or a mobile appointment, shows valid photo ID, and signs while the notary watches. A travel consent letter can instead be commissioned online when it is prepared as a statutory declaration — the parent declares the consent and the notary commissions the declaration over secure video under O. Reg. 431/20. If the airline, border service or consulate asks for a notary-witnessed signature, book the in-person appointment; if it accepts the declaration form, book online.
Availability is calendar-dependent. “Last-minute” does not mean a same-day slot is promised. If the flight is close, check the travel-consent booking page and call (613) 434-5555. If no appointment fits the deadline, contact the airline for its instructions rather than assuming a photographed or emailed signature will be accepted.
What a notary does — and does not do
The notary verifies the signer's identity, takes the declaration or watches the signature, and records the act with the appropriate wording, signature, date, and seal.
The notary does not:
- decide who has decision-making responsibility;
- interpret a parenting plan, separation agreement, or court order;
- make an airline or foreign authority accept the letter;
- replace consent that is unavailable or disputed; or
- give legal advice about whether the child may travel.
If consent is unavailable, unsafe to request, or disputed, speak with a family lawyer before travel. Bring any applicable court order, but do not ask a notary to interpret it.
Price and exact booking path
A travel consent letter is $24.95 per seal plus HST, online or in person. The first signer is included; each additional signer is charged an additional-signer fee of $24.95, shown with any card-processing fee before payment.
- Review the Travel Consent Letters service.
- Book with travel consent preselected.
- Leave the letter unsigned and have valid photo ID ready.
- Carry the original signed letter and re-check the airline and destination instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Is a notarized travel consent letter legally required in Canada?
No. The Government of Canada says a consent letter is not legally required in Canada, but recommends carrying one when a child travels without every person who has decision-making responsibility. Officials or airlines may ask for it.
Does the consent letter have to be witnessed by a notary?
No. Any adult may witness it, while the Government of Canada strongly recommends a notary public. A notarial seal records the witnessed signing; it does not guarantee acceptance.
Can Minute Notary notarize the letter online?
Yes, when the letter is prepared as a statutory declaration: the parent declares the consent and the notary commissions the declaration over secure video under O. Reg. 431/20. If the airline, border service or consulate asks for a notary-witnessed signature instead, that is an in-person appointment at our Orléans office or a mobile visit. Do not pre-sign.
Can I get an appointment before tomorrow's flight?
Availability depends on the live calendar and is never guaranteed. Check the preselected booking page and call (613) 434-5555 when the deadline is very close. Confirm the airline's own deadline and document rules.
What if consent is unavailable, unsafe, or disputed?
Speak with a family lawyer before travel. A notary cannot decide who has decision-making responsibility, interpret a court order, or replace missing consent.
Related travel-consent guides
- Complete Travel Consent Letter Guide
- Preparing a Travel Consent Letter Online
- Travel Consent Letters service
Sources
Related notary services
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About the author
Kai Mai
Content Editor, Minute Notary
Kai Mai writes and edits the Minute Notary guides, working from the published federal and Ontario guidance each article links, and from what Ottawa clients actually run into with certified copies, affidavits, statutory declarations, travel consent letters, and immigration paperwork. These guides are general information written by our editorial team — not legal advice, and not a professional opinion on your document. The receiving authority always has the final say.