Permission to Travel for Bahrain

Children Travelling To and From Bahrain Without Both Parents

Bahrain International Airport sees many family journeys: expatriate children flying home for the summer, Bahraini children visiting relatives in the U.S., and children joining a parent who has moved to Bahrain for work. When a child travels without both parents, airlines and immigration officers may ask for proof that the absent parent agrees. A consent letter signed in the U.S., notarized and apostilled, is the clearest way to provide it.

Expatriate families living in Bahrain

Children of expatriates usually hold Bahraini residence as dependants of one parent, often the parent whose employer sponsors the family. If the child travels with the other parent or with a relative, carry a consent letter from the sponsoring or absent parent, together with the child’s passport and residence details. This matters most on the return journey into Bahrain and when leaving with one parent during a family dispute.

Children of Bahraini citizens

Under Bahraini family law, guardianship over a child is generally held by the father, and in some situations, such as custody disputes, courts can restrict a child’s travel. A child holding Bahraini nationality who travels with the mother or another adult may therefore be asked for the guardian’s consent. Families should confirm current requirements with the Bahraini authorities or a family lawyer before travel, particularly if parents are separated.

What to put in the letter

Identify the child (full name, date of birth, passport number and, if resident, CPR number), the consenting parent and the accompanying adult (full names and passport numbers), the itinerary and dates, and the consenting parent’s contact details. Attach a copy of the consenting parent’s passport. If the child travels alone as an unaccompanied minor, follow the airline’s own form as well. Where one parent has sole custody, a certified, apostilled copy of the custody order can serve in place of the other parent’s consent.

Signing and authentication

The consenting parent signs the letter in person before a U.S. notary, and the Secretary of State of the notary’s state adds the apostille. Bahrain has accepted apostilles since December 31, 2013, so nothing more is needed on the U.S. side. A bilingual English/Arabic letter is easier for Bahraini officers to read at the counter. Carry the original apostilled letter, not a copy, and keep it with the child’s passport for the whole trip.