Mexican Regulation Regarding Minors Traveling Alone
A Mexican Regulation requires that minors (under 18 years of age) travel with special documentation when:
- The minor is departing Mexico (i.e. not entering);
- The minor is traveling by air or sea ;
- The minor is traveling alone or with someone other than a parent or legal guardian who is of legal age (grandparent, uncle/aunt, school group leader, etc.); and
- The minor is using Mexican documents to travel (birth certificate, passport, temporary or permanent Mexican residency).
The minor will be required to present a Consent to Travel Document showing the consent to travel from at least one parent (or legal guardian) in order to leave Mexico. Please Note, this regulation does NOT apply to a minor traveling with one parent or legal guardian.
Online Spanish Consent to Travel Document:
A parent may fill out the authorization document online on INM’s website. This document does NOT need to be notarized or have an apostille. Rather, the parent prints three copies and must obtain official stamps from INM at the airport on the day of travel prior to passenger check-in with the airline. For more information on this process please click here (PDF – 304kb). For a video, here. Please note the online form, presentation, and video are in Spanish only.
Paper-version English-Spanish Consent to Travel Document:
Alternatively, the travel consent document may be independently-produced, but it must be in Spanish (English versions must be accompanied by a Spanish translation), contain several pieces of required data, and be notarized or have an apostille. For information, fees, and how to make an appointment for notarial services at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City please click here. The State Department has provided a sample minor travel consent letter (PDF – 92KB).
Required Supporting Documents:
A Consent to Travel Document is valid only for 180 days (whether the online or paper-version described above). It may only be used for one trip. Moreover, the following items MUST accompany the Consent to Travel Document:
- Copy of minor’s passport (biographic page containing photo);
- Copy of minor’s birth certificate;
- Copy of parent or legal guardian’s valid, government-issued identification; and
- Copy of valid, government-issued identification for the adult accompanying the minor.
What About Dual Citizen Mexican-American Children?
The regulation DOES apply to dual national minors (Mexican plus another nationality) since under Mexican law the minor is required to enter and depart Mexico using Mexican documents. After departing Mexico with a Mexican passport the minor would then enter the United States using his/her U.S. passport.
If you have any questions, you should speak with a local immigration attorney.
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