Why is a Consent Form Necessary for Visa Processes?

The question of what a consent letter is particularly relates to an official procedure encountered when children travel abroad. Known in Turkish as "izin belgesi," a consent letter is a legal document that shows the consent of one parent for a child to travel abroad with the other parent. This document is mandatory for children under the age of 18 when traveling to certain countries. The consent letter also serves as proof of approval or agreement in official procedures and inter-organizational transactions.

During the process of obtaining this document, the consent letter fee, which can be processed through e-government or a notary, as well as issues like joint custody, come to the forefront. Permission to travel is directly related to situations such as official institutions and court decisions, and it frequently arises in international travel procedures such as Spain visa or Canada visa applications. This article aims to provide detailed information about how the consent letter process works, the necessary documents, and the varying requirements for consent letters depending on the countries involved.

Who Needs a Consent Letter?

A consent letter is necessary for children to travel abroad under certain circumstances and conditions. These situations can be listed as follows:

• Traveling with a Single Parent or Guardian:
  • Children under the age of 18 need a consent letter when traveling abroad with a single parent or legal guardian.
  • If the child is traveling with one of the parents or another adult.
• Solo Travel:
  • Children under the age of 18 require a consent letter when traveling alone.
• Dual Citizenship Situations and Exceptions:
  • Dual citizenship children do not need a consent letter if they are traveling with the passport of the country they are in and are traveling with both parents.
  • A consent letter is not required for children who are over 18 or married.

These requirements are established to ensure the safety of children and protect legal responsibilities. The consent letter is a notarized document issued by a notary or police department that includes the child's and parents' full names, address information, the country to be traveled to, and the duration of travel. If the parents are divorced, the custody situation must be specified in the document. If a consent letter needs to be obtained without the consent of the other parent, permission can be obtained through a court decision.

Where and How to Obtain a Consent Letter?

The steps and places required to obtain a consent letter are as follows:

1. Obtaining a Consent Letter from a Notary:
   • A consent letter can be obtained from a notary. Both parents must be present at the notary for this process.
   • If the other parent does not consent, a consent letter can be obtained through a court decision.
   • The notary prepares the document after receiving the necessary checks and approvals when an application is made with a petition for the preparation of the consent letter.
   • As of 2024, the cost of obtaining a consent letter from a notary is approximately 1,400 TL. This may vary depending on the length of the consent letter.
2. Obtaining a Consent Letter from Police Departments:
   • A consent letter can also be obtained from police departments, and it is sufficient for the parent holding custody to be present during this process.
   • No fee is charged when obtaining a consent letter from the police department. Police departments may direct you to notaries to ensure that the process is valid and approved in every country. Since the staff at the police department do not frequently perform this process, they may enter information such as passport numbers and countries incorrectly in the consent letter, and you may encounter problems.
3. Obtaining a Consent Letter via E-Government:
   • A consent letter can also be obtained through the E-government system, but this process can only be done for address declaration. It is healthiest to obtain the consent letter related to international visa procedures from notaries.

The validity of the consent letter from the date it is issued in Turkey is six months for many countries. During your international travels, the currency of the consent letter may be questioned upon entry into the country. If necessary, an apostille stamp may be required for the document to be recognized in the destination country.

Required Documents for a Consent Letter

The required documents for a consent letter are an important part of the application process, and these documents must be presented completely and accurately:

• Child's Identification Information:
  • Child's full name, date of birth, and passport number.
  • Indication of the relationship with the person(s) traveling.
• Parent Information:
  • Names, dates of birth, and addresses of both parents.
  • If the child is traveling with only one parent, the consent of the other parent must be included in the consent letter.
• Additional Documents:
  1. Child's identity card or passport, parents' identity cards or passports.
  2. Divorce decree and court decision regarding custody for divorced parents.
  3. If necessary, additional documents such as the child's birth certificate, court decision, or death certificate.

Collecting and preparing these documents accurately is critical for the smooth progress of the consent letter acquisition process. If the other parent's consent is not available or cannot be reached, it is possible to obtain a consent letter through the court.

Consent Letter Requirements by Country

Understanding the consent letter requirements by country helps prevent difficulties that children may encounter during international travel. In this context, some countries have specific requests and certain conditions for the consent letter:

• Apostille Stamp Requirement:
  • Some countries require an apostille stamp for the consent letter.
  • For example, a notarized consent letter is required for a Canada Visa, and for Spain Visa applications, the consent letter must be specifically prepared for Spain.
• Country-Specific Consent Letter Requirements:
  • Countries such as the USA, Germany, France, the Netherlands, the UK, Spain, Italy, and Portugal have established specific requirements for the consent letter.
  • In the context of visa applications, countries like the USA and Germany require notarized consent letters from both parents or legal guardians for applicants under the age of 18.
• General and Special Cases:
  • The consent letter is necessary for children traveling to any country, and this applies to countries that are parties to the Schengen area, European Union member countries, non-European Union member countries, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

Differences in Consent Letters by Country

There are important differences to consider when obtaining a consent letter. These differences are critical in terms of the validity and acceptability of the consent letter:

• Language Preference:
  • It is recommended that the consent letter be written in the language of the destination country, if possible.
  • An English consent letter should be prepared, and it is advisable to have it translated by a sworn translator.
• Validity Period:
  • The consent letter does not have a specific time limitation; however, some countries may request a recently issued consent letter.
• Requirement Status:
  • Some countries do not require a consent letter.

Being aware of these differences helps ensure the smooth progress of the consent letter process and prevents potential mishaps that children may encounter during international travel. It is important to remember that each country has its own unique requirements and standards. Therefore, being informed in advance about the specific consent letter requirements for the country to be traveled to will be beneficial to avoid any surprises.

Common Situations and Special Conditions

Under Common Situations and Special Conditions, various scenarios related to the consent letter and the paths to be followed in these scenarios can be listed as follows:

• Obtaining a Consent Letter Without the Other Parent's Consent:
  • If the other parent does not consent, one can apply to the court to obtain a consent letter.
  • The court may offer the opportunity to file a claim for moral or material damages and may decide to return the child in case of unauthorized removal from the country.
• Custody and Travel Permissions:
  • If the parents are divorced and custody of the child belongs to one parent, that parent can take the child abroad without the consent of the other parent. However, the non-custodial parent may request a travel ban if there is a risk of permanent removal of the child from the country.
  • Moving abroad with the child by one parent requires the approval of the other parent, except in cases where the other parent has abandoned or failed to fulfill parental duties.
• Uses of the Consent Letter:
  • The consent letter can be used for various purposes such as passport processing or school registration. It is also necessary for situations such as a minor's participation in sports clubs, inheriting a vehicle, or obtaining a passport for a child under the age of 18.

Information Required in the Consent Letter

The information required in the consent letter plays an important role in protecting the legal responsibilities of the child and parents. This document must contain all necessary information to ensure the child travels safely and smoothly:

1. Basic Information:
   • Child's full name, national ID number, passport number, date and place of birth, nationality.
   • Names, addresses, and phone numbers of parents or legal guardians.
   • Name of the country to be traveled to, purpose of travel, and duration of stay.
   • Who the child will be traveling with; if it is the mother, father, or another adult, the full name of that person.
2. Legal Warnings and Approvals:
   • The consent letter is a legal document, and providing false information may have legal consequences.
   • Signatures of both parents or legal guardians must be signed in the presence of a notary official.
3. Special Conditions and Validity: