Checklist

Documents for a child travelling and studying abroad

For a child to travel abroad without one of the parents, the border service or the consulate almost always requires the notarised consent of the absent parent; for enrolment in a foreign school the school asks for a birth certificate and, where the child is moving from senior classes, a school report or transcript. Most of these documents are apostilled by the civil registry or the Ministry of Justice, depending on the type.

Checked on 21 September 2026

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apostille or legalisation translation

Needed almost always

Child's birth certificate The base document for the visa, the school and for proving the relationship with the accompanying adult Route
Notarised parental consent for the child's travel Needed where the child travels without both parents; check the wording and the dates of the trip Route
Child's international passport Not apostilled; a copy is needed for the visa and the school file

Often requested

School report or transcript from the Russian school Requested when transferring to a foreign school during the academic year Route
School leaving certificate Needed for entry to senior classes or a college abroad Route
Child's medical certificate and vaccination record The examinations and vaccinations required are set by the school or the immigration service
Parents' marriage or divorce certificate Requested where the child's surname differs from that of one of the parents Route

Sometimes needed

Change-of-name certificate for the child or a parent Needed where a name changed and the child's and parent's documents cannot otherwise be linked Route
Notarised power of attorney for the accompanying adult Needed in addition to the travel consent where the child is accompanied by someone other than a parent Route

A common mistake is not checking the validity and the wording of the travel consent: some countries require it to name the dates of the trip or the particular country, rather than a general permission to travel abroad. The second point often missed is that where a child stays abroad to study for a long period rather than a single trip, the school and the immigration service may need a separate consent to residence and study.

The exact list, the wording of the consent and the translation requirements are set by the school, the consulate or the border service of the particular country. Check the general list below against them before travelling.

By country

Schengen countries — Germany, Spain, Italy — usually accept a Russian notarised travel consent with an apostille and a translation, though some consulates require the text to state the dates and the route. The United Kingdom and the United States have no single required form for a child's entry, but airlines and border officers may ask for a document showing the accompanying adult's right to be with the child, and an apostilled consent settles most questions. For long-term boarding school (the UK, Switzerland) the school normally requires a separate consent to medical decisions and local guardianship, which is a different document from the travel consent. Turkey and the UAE sometimes check travel consents at the border for children travelling with one parent, even where the trip has nothing to do with study.

Germany United Kingdom Spain Switzerland Türkiye

Questions

Is the second parent's consent needed if the child flies with a grandparent?

Yes. Where a child travels with anyone other than a parent — a grandparent, a coach, a school representative — the border service or the consulate usually requires notarised consent from both parents or legal guardians.

Can a travel consent be drawn up for a long period, say a whole school year?

Many notaries will state a period and a list of countries without tying the consent to a particular flight, but some consulates and schools prefer specific dates. Confirm what the receiving institution requires before going to the notary.

Does a school report need an apostille to transfer a child mid-year?

Requirements vary widely: some schools accept a plain translated report as supporting information, others only an official transcript with an apostille. Check with the particular school's admissions office in advance.

What if one parent refuses to consent to the child's travel?

Travel can then be arranged only by a court decision permitting it without that consent. This is a separate court procedure and cannot be resolved through a notary.

Checked on 21 September 2026

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