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Requirements for minors
In some countries, passengers younger than 18 years old may leave the country if:
- They are traveling with both of their parents.
- They are traveling with one of their parents, and they have a notarized letter of authorization from the parent who is not present.
- They are traveling with one of their parents, who has custody and has obtained court authorization. If one of the parents is deceased, the death certificate of the deceased parent will also be required.
- They are traveling alone or with an adult other than a parent or legal guardian, with a notarized letter of authorization from both parents.
The authorization documents for minors must be translated into the language of the destination country.
Note: We recommend that you confirm the applicable requirements with the appropriate authorities in your country of origin, and also with the appropriate authorities in your destination country, in order to ensure that all applicable requirements are met. Requirements regarding international documents may vary depending on your destination.
International flights
In addition to a valid passport, minors must carry their original birth certificate. This also applies to Panamanian minors who carry passports from other countries and foreign minors residing in the Republic of Panama. The National Immigration Office of Panama is accepting the presentation of minor identification cards in the event that the parents do not have a birth certificate at the airport at the time of departure.
Minors must meet the following requirements to travel:
- Be accompanied by his/her mother and father.
- It is not necessary to present the notarized letter from the other parent or parents who are not traveling, provided that both parents are physically present at the airport and appear before the National Migration Service official at the point of departure. The official will certify the authorization of the parent or parents, comparing it against the individual´s identity card and requesting that he or she place his or her fingerprint on the document provided.
- If accompanied by one parent who holds custody, said parent must have a duly empowered judge's authorization for travel, and in the event of one parent's death, the death certificate of the absent parent will also be required.
- If accompanied by a third party, carry the written consent of both parents according to items #2 and #3 mentioned above.
- If the minor is traveling alone, he or she must submit written permission from both parents, according to items #2 and #3 mentioned above.
Important: It is not necessary to present the notarized letter from the other parent or parents who are not traveling, provided that both parents are physically present at the airport and appear before the National Migration Service official at the point of departure. The official will certify the authorization of the parent or parents, comparing it against the individual´s identity card and requesting that he or she place his or her fingerprint on the document provided.
For more information please click here (available only in Spanish)
Note: Underage children of foreign nonresidents are excluded from this provision.
Domestic flights within Panama
Any minor traveling on a domestic flight within Panama will be required to show a birth certificate or the minor identification cards, and the following requirements must be met:
- If the minor is traveling with one or both parents, proof of identity will be required for the minor and for the parent(s) traveling with him or her. For parents, personal ID cards will be accepted as proof of identity; for minors, birth certificates or the minor identification cards will be accepted as proof of identity.
- If the minor is traveling with someone other than a parent, the following documents will be required:
- An authorization letter signed by one or both parents. For domestic flights within Panama, the authorization letter does not need to be notarized.
- A copy of the personal ID card(s) of the parent or parents authorizing the minor’s travel.
- A copy of the minor’s identification card or birth certificate.
- A copy of the personal ID card of the adult traveling with the minor.
- If the minor is traveling alone, the following documents will be required:
- A copy of the special assistance form for unaccompanied minors, which will be provided by the airline and must be completed correctly.
- A travel authorization letter from the parent or parents authorizing the minor’s travel (round-trip). For domestic flights within Panama, the authorization letter does not need to be notarized.
- A copy of the minor’s identification card or birth certificate.
- A copy of the personal ID card(s) of the parent or parents authorizing the minor’s travel.
Mexican or foreign minors traveling alone or with a third party who is of legal age are permitted to enter and leave the country, without the document executed before a notary public or issued by an authority able to do so, until January 24, 2014.
- They must travel accompanied by a person having legal custody or guardianship of them, in compliance with the requirements established by civil legislation.
- Foreign or Mexican minors up to age 17, who are traveling to Mexico or from Mexico abroad accompanied by a person who is not their father, mother, or person having legal custody/guardianship of them, or traveling unaccompanied, must present (in addition to their immigration documents) a notarized document authorizing the minor to travel without such persons. If the document is issued abroad, it must be legalized or have an apostille and must be translated into Spanish.
- The Form Authorizing Departure from the Territory of the United Mexican States by children, adolescents, and individuals under legal guardianship may be completed online, on the Mexican Immigration Agency´s website, by going to: www.inm.gob.mx.
- Children and adolescents who reside in Brazil and are traveling abroad:
It is not necessary to have court authorization for Brazilian children or adolescents who reside in Brazil and are traveling abroad, under the following circumstances:- The minor is accompanied by both parents.
- The minor is accompanied by one parent, provided that authorization, including a legitimate signature, has been obtained from the other parent
- The minor is traveling alone or accompanied by a third party who is an adult designated by the minor´s parents, provided that authorization, including a legitimate signature, has been obtained from both parents.
- Brazilians who reside outside of Brazil, regardless of whether they hold other citizenship:
It is not necessary to have court authorization for Brazilian children or adolescents who reside outside of Brazil (regardless of whether they hold other citizenship) and are returning to their country of residence, under the following circumstances:- The minor is accompanied by one parent, regardless of any written authorization.
- The minor is traveling alone or accompanied by a third party who is an adult designated by the minor´s parents, provided that written authorization, including a legitimate signature, has been obtained from the parents.
Court authorization is REQUIRED for children and adolescents under the following circumstances:
- When one parent is unable to give authorization because of travel, illness, or unknown whereabouts.
- When a child or adolescent born within Brazilian territory is traveling abroad accompanied by foreigners who reside or have their registered address abroad, even if authorization has been obtained from both parents.
For more information, consult the "Handbook for Minors Traveling Abroad" from the National Council of Justice, link here: http://www.cnj.jus.br/programas-e-acoes/viagem-ao-exterior