Permission to Travel for Egypt

Children Travelling Between the U.S. and Egypt Without Both Parents

Every summer, thousands of children of Egyptian families travel between the United States and Egypt with one parent, with grandparents or with other relatives. Airlines, U.S. border officers and Egyptian passport control may all ask whether the absent parent agrees. A written consent letter from that parent, legalized for Egypt, answers the question before it becomes a problem at the airport.

Dual-national children and Egyptian family law

Children with Egyptian nationality are treated as Egyptians when they enter and leave Egypt, whatever passport they use. Under Egyptian family law, the father is generally the child’s legal guardian. In family disputes, Egyptian courts can also order that a child may not leave the country. If a child travels with the mother or another adult, carry the father’s consent, and if the parents are separated or a dispute is possible, take advice from an Egyptian family lawyer before booking. The return journey from Egypt is where problems most often arise.

What the consent letter should say

Name the child, with date of birth and U.S. and Egyptian passport numbers, the consenting parent and the accompanying adult, with their passport or national ID numbers. Give the travel dates and destinations, and the consenting parent’s contact details. Attach a copy of the consenting parent’s passport. If both parents are absent, both sign. Where one parent has sole custody under a U.S. order, a certified, legalized copy of that order can be carried as well.

Legalizing it for Egypt

The consenting parent signs the letter in person before a U.S. notary, with the notary’s seal on the same page as the signature. The notary’s state authenticates the notarization, the U.S. Department of State authenticates the state, and the Egyptian Embassy, or the consulate for that state, legalizes it. Egypt does not accept apostilles. Egyptian parents in the U.S. can also ask the Egyptian consulate whether it can prepare a consular travel authorization, which some families find simpler for Egyptian-national children.

Practical tips

A bilingual Arabic/English letter is easier for Egyptian officers to read. Carry the original legalized letter, not a copy, together with the child’s birth certificate, and keep both with the child’s passports for the whole trip. Allow several weeks for legalization before the departure date.