Letter of consent: meaning, common types and how to write one
Reviewed in October 2026
A letter of consent is a signed letter in which one person gives permission for something to happen, such as a child traveling, a medical treatment or the use of personal information. It names who gives consent, to whom, for what and for how long.
Common types of consent letter
| Type | Who signs | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Travel consent for a minor | Parent or guardian not traveling | A child travels with one parent or another adult |
| Medical consent | Patient or parent | Agree to a treatment, or let a caregiver authorize care |
| Parental consent for activities | Parent | School trips, sports, camps |
| Consent to background check | Job applicant | Lets an employer run a consumer report |
| Photo and media consent | Person photographed or parent | Use of images in marketing |
| Landlord consent | Landlord | Approve a sublease or alteration |
| Research consent | Participant | Take part in a study |
What a letter of consent should include
- 1The name and contact details of the person giving consent.
- 2The name of the person or organization receiving it.
- 3Exactly what the consent allows.
- 4Dates, places or limits.
- 5The relationship, for example parent of the child.
- 6A way to revoke consent, when it applies.
- 7Signature and date.
Travel consent letter for a minor
US Customs and Border Protection recommends that a child traveling with only one parent, or with other adults, carry a consent letter signed by the absent parent or parents. Airlines and foreign border officers may ask for one too.
- The child full name, date of birth and passport number.
- The adult traveling with the child.
- Destination and dates.
- Contact details of the absent parent.
- Many travelers have it notarized, since some countries ask for that.
Medical consent letter
A medical consent letter lets a caregiver, such as a grandparent or a coach, authorize treatment for a child when the parents cannot be reached. It names the child, the caregiver, the dates and any known allergies or conditions.
For an adult who cannot decide, the right document is a health care proxy, not a consent letter.
Consent to a background check
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, an employer that orders a background report from a reporting company must give the applicant a clear disclosure in a document by itself and get written authorization first.
The authorization can be signed electronically. Keep it with the application.
The first lines of a consent letter
- 1Opening. I, [full name], of [address], give my consent for [person or organization] to [describe the action].
- 2Details. This consent covers [dates, places and limits].
- 3Relationship. I am the [parent, guardian, owner] of [name], born on [date].
- 4Contact. I can be reached at [phone and email] during this period.
Use the full letter of consent template
How to sign a letter of consent online
Upload a letter of consent to SignSolú or start from a template. Add each signer with a name and a phone number or email.
Each signer gets a link by WhatsApp or email. On a phone they tap the brown bar at the bottom that says «Sign as …».
They draw their signature once with a finger and press «Sign and Send». Every place in the document that needs it gets filled.
A line next to that button records their consent to sign electronically, with a link to the disclosure.
The signed PDF ends with an audit certificate. It shows each signer, the time, the IP address and a SHA-256 hash of the file.
If the other side sends their own PDF form instead, fill in the PDF form online, add the date and your signature, and download it.
A parent who cannot be present signs from their phone. The certificate shows when they signed, which helps when an airline or school asks how recent the letter is.
Consent letter and authorization letter
A consent letter says «I agree that this may happen». An authorization letter says «this person may act for me», such as picking up a document. People often use the terms loosely.
For broader powers, such as managing money or property, use a power of attorney.
Common mistakes
- 1Vague permission. «I consent to everything» is hard for anyone to rely on.
- 2No dates. An open-ended letter raises questions.
- 3Missing contact details. The receiver cannot confirm the letter.
- 4Only one parent signs when both should. Some countries ask for both.
- 5No copy kept. Nobody can show what was agreed.
An example
A mother lets her son travel to Mexico with his grandparents for two weeks. She writes a consent letter with his passport number, the travel dates and her phone number, and signs it before a notary.
At the same time she signs a medical consent letter so the grandparents can authorize care if he gets sick. Both travel in the carry-on bag.
Consent for photos and personal data
Businesses ask for consent before using a person photo in marketing or sharing their data with a partner. The letter says which images or data, for what use and for how long.
For minors, a parent signs. Keep the signed consent with the image or the record it covers, so anyone can check it before reuse.
Consent letters for schools and activities
Schools ask parents to sign consent letters for trips, sports, photos and online platforms. Each one says what the child may do, on which dates and who to call.
Sending them by WhatsApp and getting them back signed saves the lost slips in backpacks. The school sees who has not signed and reminds only those parents.
Checklist before you sign
- Your name, the other person name and the relationship are correct.
- What you allow is written in specific words.
- Dates and places are included.
- Your contact details are current.
- You know whether a notary is needed for this use.
- You keep a copy.
Consent letters in business
Businesses use consent letters for a landlord approval of a sublease, a supplier approval of an assignment, or a customer agreement to receive documents electronically.
People also ask
What is the meaning of a consent letter?
A signed letter in which a person gives permission for a specific thing to happen, for a specific person and period.
Does a consent letter need to be notarized?
Not always. Travel consent letters are often notarized because some countries and airlines ask for it.
Who can write a letter of consent?
The person whose permission is needed, such as a parent, a patient, an owner or an applicant.
Is a consent letter legally binding?
It is evidence of permission. Its weight depends on how clear it is and the rules that apply to the situation.
Can consent be withdrawn after signing?
Often yes, for future actions. Tell the receiver in writing.
How long is a consent letter valid?
For the dates it states. Without dates, the receiver may ask for a recent one.
Does a consent letter need a witness?
Most do not. Some travel and legal uses ask for a notary, which serves the same purpose of confirming who signed.
What is a consent letter for a passport?
When a child applies for a US passport and one parent cannot appear, that parent signs a statement of consent on the State Department form, which must be notarized.
Can a minor give consent?
For many decisions, no. A parent or guardian consents for them, with exceptions set by state law for some medical care.
Who keeps the original consent letter?
The person or organization that relies on it, such as the school, the airline or the clinic. The signer keeps a copy.
Is verbal consent enough?
Sometimes, but it is hard to prove. Written and signed consent shows exactly what was agreed and when.
Can a consent letter be emailed?
Yes. A signed PDF sent by email works for most uses. Some offices ask for an original or a notarized copy.
How do you write a short consent letter?
State who you are, who receives consent, what you allow, the dates and how to reach you. Then sign and date it.
Can a consent letter be handwritten?
Yes. A clear handwritten and signed letter works. A typed letter is easier to read.
What is informed consent?
Consent given after receiving the information needed to decide, such as the risks of a treatment or a study.
Related templates and guides
Sources
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection, guidance on children traveling with one parent
- Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681b(b)
- ESIGN Act, 15 U.S.C. 7001, on govinfo.gov
Frequently asked questions
What is a letter of consent?
A signed letter giving permission for something specific to happen.
Can I sign a consent letter online?
Yes. An electronic signature works for most consent letters. Some travel uses ask for a notary.
Do both parents need to sign a travel consent?
If only one travels, the absent parent signs. If neither travels, both sign.
What is the difference between consent and authorization?
Consent agrees that something may happen. Authorization lets someone act for you.
Should a consent letter have an end date?
Yes. Dates make it easier to rely on.
Is a consent form the same as a consent letter?
They do the same job. A form has fields to fill and a letter is written as text.