Consent: templates and forms

For a parent in Scotland leaving a child with grandparents, a friend, a childminder or another carer: a signed letter arranging for the carer to consent to the child’s medical treatment while the child is with them, and to speak to doctors and dentists. A parent may not give up parental responsibilities and rights but may arrange for another person to exercise them on their behalf (Children (Scotland) Act 1995, s 3(5)). You choose emergency treatment only, or routine care too, and the dates. The carer keeps the letter.

For a parent with parental responsibility who is not going on the trip: a signed letter consenting to the child travelling abroad, the Republic of Ireland included, with the other parent, grandparents, a school or another family. Taking a child under 16 out of the United Kingdom without everyone’s consent or the court’s leave can be an offence (Article 3 of the Child Abduction (Northern Ireland) Order 1985). There is no official form; the letter names the child, the trip and the dates.

For a parent in Northern Ireland leaving a child with grandparents, a friend, a childminder or another carer: a signed letter arranging for the carer to consent to the child’s medical treatment while the child is with them, and to speak to doctors and dentists. A parent may arrange for someone to meet part of their parental responsibility but cannot hand it over (Article 5(8) of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995). You choose emergency treatment only, or routine care too, and the dates.

For a parent or anyone else with parental responsibilities and rights who is not going on the trip: a signed letter consenting to a child travelling abroad with the other parent, grandparents or a school. In Scotland no one may take a child under 16 who lives here habitually out of the United Kingdom without the consent of a person who has the right to have the child living with them or to keep in contact — of both parents, where both have it (Children (Scotland) Act 1995, s 2(3) and (6)). There is no official form. The letter names the child, the trip and the dates, and gives your telephone number so that border staff or an airline can check it.

For a parent anywhere in the UK who wants a grandparent, a childminder, a friend or another adult to collect their child from school. A signed letter to the school naming each person allowed to collect the child, when the authorisation applies, and how they will prove who they are, which stays in force until you withdraw it in writing. Handed in at the school office. Many schools have their own collection form or app; use it first if yours does.

For a parent or anyone else with parental responsibility who is not going on the trip: a signed letter consenting to the child travelling abroad with the other parent, grandparents, a school or a friend’s family. Taking a child under 16 out of the UK without the consent of everyone with parental responsibility, or the court’s permission, can be an offence (Child Abduction Act 1984, s 1). There is no official form. The letter names the child, the trip and the dates, and gives your telephone number so that border staff or an airline can check it. Give it to the adult travelling, with a copy of your passport or driving licence.

For the registered keeper of a car in the UK who lends it to someone, most often for a trip abroad, where officials may ask a driver who is not the keeper for proof of the keeper's permission. The letter names the keeper, the driver, the vehicle, the dates and any countries, and says which insurance covers the driver. It gives permission only: insurance, not a letter, decides who may drive. A hired or leased vehicle needs the company's vehicle on hire certificate (VE103) instead.

For a parent leaving a child with grandparents, a friend, a childminder or another carer: a signed letter arranging for the carer to consent to the child’s medical treatment while the child is with them, and to speak to doctors and dentists. A parent can arrange for someone else to meet part of their parental responsibility (Children Act 1989, s 2(9)) but cannot hand it over. You choose emergency treatment only, or routine care too, and the dates. The carer keeps the letter.

For anyone who wants a relative, friend or carer to speak to their bank, energy or phone company, council or landlord for them: a signed letter naming the person, the accounts or matter, and whether they may only discuss it and receive information or also give instructions. It lets the organisation share your personal data with them, and you can withdraw it at any time. Many organisations have their own free form; use that if they ask.

For a parent or other person with parental responsibility who agrees that the other parent, or someone else, may apply for a British passport for the child. Usually one person with parental responsibility signs the application, but HM Passport Office may ask for the consent of everyone who has it — for example after a separation. The letter names the child and the applicant, gives your contact details and encloses a copy of your ID. Send it with the application, or as HMPO asks.

For a private landlord or letting agent in England answering a tenant’s written request to keep a pet under section 16A of the Housing Act 1988. Choose one answer: consent, consent with reasonable conditions, a refusal with reasons, or a request for further information — given in writing within 28 days of the request. A refusal must be reasonable and specific to the home and the animal, such as a head lease that forbids pets. The letter confirms that no fee or extra deposit is charged for the pet.