ESTAESTA GuideTravel authorisation for the USA

ESTA INFORMATION

Travelling to the USA with Children: ESTA, Passports and Consent Letters

The most important rule first: every child — including babies — needs their own ESTA and their own electronic passport. If you only discover this at the airport, your child will not be able to fly. Here is an overview of all the rules for families.

Each child needs their own e-passport

No e-passport of their own = no travel on ESTA

The Visa Waiver Program requires every traveller to hold an e-passport— and this applies to children of every age, too. Check your child's passport well before you travel.

What your child needs:

  • An electronic passport (with a chip) — just like adults
  • The passport must be issued in the child's own name and be valid
  • Children who are only listed in a parent's passport are not eligible for ESTA

Allow plenty of time to obtain the passport — you can only apply for your child's ESTA once you have the passport number.

A separate ESTA for every child — from birth

  • Accompanied and unaccompanied children need their own ESTA authorisation regardless of age
  • This explicitly includes infants without their own plane ticket
  • A third party, such as a parent or relative, may submit the application on the child's behalf

For a step-by-step guide to the application, see Applying for ESTA.

Travelling with only one parent: consent letter

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advises carrying documents for accompanying minors:

  • If the child is travelling with only one parent, that parent should carry a note from the other parent confirming that they consent to the trip
  • If the child is travelling without their parents (for example with grandparents), the accompanying adult should carry a letter from both parents
  • If you have sole custody, a copy of the court custody document can replace the other parent's letter
Does the letter need to be notarised?The current DHS wording only refers to a note from the other parent. An older CBP leaflet from 2007 recommended notarisation “if possible” — it is not a requirement.

Security screening (TSA) with children and baby food

  • Children aged 12 and under may keep their shoes, light jackets and headwear on during screening
  • Children are not separated from their parents; babies and toddlers may be carried through the metal detector
  • Baby formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby food (including pouches) are allowed in hand luggage in quantities over 100 ml and do not need to go in your liquids bag
  • Declare these liquids to the TSA officer at the start of screening and take them out of your bag for separate screening
  • Ice packs and gel packs are allowed
  • On US domestic flights, the TSA does not require ID for children under 18 — airlines may have their own rules

For all the rules on liquids in hand luggage, see TSA liquids rule.

Related information

USA travel guide

All the practical topics at a glance

Applying for ESTA

Step-by-step guide

TSA liquids rule

100 ml, the bag and exceptions

Sources and currency

Last checked: 12 October 2026. This website is an independent information service and is not an official website of the US Government.