Entry requirements for minors (under 18 years old) traveling to Mexico.

In an effort to keep children safe while traveling internationally, many governments have initiated procedures at entry and exit points, including requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission of the parent(s) or legal guardian not present for the child's travel. Parents of minor children (under 18 years old) should carefully document legal custody prior to traveling to Mexico.

• If a minor child is traveling with only one parent, the absent parent must provide notarized consent.
• If only one parent has legal custody, that parent should be prepared to provide a court order of child custody to airlines and Mexican authorities.
• If a minor child is traveling to Mexico alone or in someone else's company, both parents (or the sole, documented custodial parent) must provide notarized consent.
• If a child traveling to Mexico has a different last name from the mother and/or father, the parents should be prepared to provide evidence to airlines and Mexican authorities, such as a birth certificate or adoption decree, to prove that they are the parents.
• If one parent is deceased, a death certificate is required.
• If the birth certificate shows that the minor only has one parent, it will be sufficient to hold only a notarized copy of the birth certificate.

Travelers should be aware that Mexican entry regulations require Spanish translations of all legal documents, including notarized consent decrees and court agreements.

For further information concerning entry and visa requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of Mexico at 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Washington D.C. 20006, or by telephone at (202) 736-1000, or any Mexican consulate in the United States.