Travel Consent and Passport for a Grandchild in Kinship Care in Nova Scotia

Taking a grandchild on a trip shouldn't require a legal degree. But when you're not the child's parent, crossing a border — or even flying domestically — raises questions about authority and consent. Here's what Nova Scotia kinship caregivers need to know.

Domestic Travel Within Canada

For travel within Canada, there is no legal requirement to carry a consent letter when travelling with a child who is not your own. Airlines don't routinely ask for proof of guardianship for domestic flights.

That said, carrying a signed letter from the child's parent (if available) is a sensible precaution. If a police officer, border agent, or airline staff member asks about your relationship to the child, a simple letter explaining the care arrangement avoids unnecessary complications.

A practical travel consent letter includes the child's full name and date of birth, the parent's name and signature, your name and relationship to the child, the travel dates and destination, and a statement that the parent consents to the child travelling with you.

International Travel: Passport Application

Getting a Canadian passport for a child requires the participation of the parents or legal guardians who have authority over the child. If a court order or agreement sets out decision-making responsibility, its terms determine who can apply.

If you have a court order granting you decision-making responsibility under the Parenting and Support Act, include it with the passport application. Only the person with decision-making responsibility can apply when a valid order sets that out; submit all current court documents that address parenting, custody, or travel.

If you're an informal caregiver without a court order, the parents or legal guardians with authority must participate and sign the passport application. If you are not a legal guardian or person with parental authority, include a letter from one of them authorizing you to apply and receive the passport. If they are unreachable or will not provide authorization, contact the Passport Program or seek legal advice about a court application.

If the child is in formal agency care through the Department of Opportunities and Social Development, decision-making is shared between the agency and approved kinship caregiver. Coordinate the passport application with the child's caseworker and submit the care documents they identify.

The Consent Letter for International Travel

The Canadian government recommends that any adult travelling internationally with a child who is not their own carry a consent letter. While not a legal requirement at every border, it's expected at many and can prevent the child from being refused entry or delayed at customs.

The Government of Canada suggests the letter include:

• The child's full name, date of birth, and passport number
• The travelling companion's full name, date of birth, and relationship
• Both parents' (or legal guardian's) full names, addresses, telephone numbers, and signatures
• Travel dates, destinations, and carrier information
• A notarisation or witness signature (recommended for extra weight)

For kinship caregivers, also bring a copy of any written care agreement, court order, or letter from a social worker confirming the care arrangement.

When a Parent Won't Consent

If the child's parent refuses to consent to travel or a passport application, your options depend on your legal standing:

• With a court order: If the order gives you sole decision-making responsibility or expressly authorizes the travel or passport application, submit it with the application. If responsibilities are shared or the order does not address travel, get legal advice before proceeding.
• Without a court order: You cannot override parental consent for a passport. You would need to apply to the court for decision-making responsibility or for a specific order authorising international travel.

For urgent travel (a family emergency abroad, a medical trip), a family lawyer can apply for an emergency court order specifically authorising the travel and passport issuance.

Practical Tips

• Start the passport application early — processing takes several weeks, and issues with parental consent can add months
• Keep a certified copy of any court order in the child's travel bag
• Save the parent's signed consent letter on your phone as a backup
• If you travel frequently with the child, consider whether applying for a formal court order would simplify future trips

The Nova Scotia kinship financial help guide covers the court application process alongside the financial supports — because the same order that gives you decision-making authority for travel also settles medical consent, school registration, and benefit eligibility.

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