Child Travel Power of Attorney in UAE

A Child Travel Power of Attorney (CTPOA) is a legal document that lets parents or guardians permit another trusted adult to travel with their child. This document allows the adult to take care of the child during the trip, speak to airline and immigration officials, and make important decisions, like getting medical help (if needed).

It’s only valid for a specific trip and doesn’t give any power over money or property. It simply allows the adult to act like a guardian while traveling.

A Child Travel POA is a specialized type of personal power of attorney created solely for travel purposes. It falls under the broader legal category of power of attorney in the UAE, which allows an appointed adult to act on behalf of another.

A Child Travel POA is only one category of legal authorization. Families and individuals in the UAE may need different types of POA depending on the situation. These include:

• Business POA– The Business Power of Attorney in UAE allows a representative to manage company operations, sign contracts, or handle commercial licensing.
• General POA– Grants broad authority for multiple legal and financial decisions. The General Power of Attorney is the most common form of power of attorney in the UAE.
• POA for Selling Property– The Power of Attorney to sell property is commonly used for selling the property or managing real estate.
• Vehicle POA– Enables someone to sell, register, or transfer a vehicle on your behalf. The Vehicle Power of Attorney has to be drafted with complete details of the vehicle and the owner to be legally valid.
• POA for Marriage– The Power of Attorney for Marriage authorizes a trusted person to complete marriage formalities if the bride or groom cannot be present.
• Inheritance POA– Used for succession matters and estate distribution in accordance with UAE law. The Inheritance Power of Attorney is more better drafted when done by a law practitioner.
• Police Clearance POA– A Police Clearance Power of Attorney allows an appointed person to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from UAE authorities.
• Court Case POA– With a Court Case Power of Attorney, you can appoint a lawyer or representative to act in legal disputes.
• Property Dispute POA– A Property Dispute Power of Attorney grants authority to handle Property or tenancy-related legal conflicts on your behalf.

Each type serves a different purpose, but they all share a common goal: allowing a trusted person to act legally on your behalf when you cannot be physically present.

A power of attorney for child travel is either mandatory or strongly advised in several common scenarios. The need is driven by UAE law, international airline regulations, and the immigration policies of destination countries.

• A child traveling with only one parent: Numerous countries and airlines mandate proof of consent from the parent who is not traveling.
• A child traveling with relatives or friends: A CTPOA is essential when grandparents, aunts, uncles, or family friends are the chaperones.
• A child traveling with a nanny or guardian: The CTPOA grants the child’s caretaker the necessary legal authority to manage the trip and handle any issues that may arise.
• A child traveling for school trips: For international educational tours or sporting events, schools almost always require parents to provide a notarized travel POA.
• A child traveling alone: Airlines have specific procedures for unaccompanied minors. However, a CTPOA provides an additional layer of legal protection.
• In cases of separated or divorced parents: In cases of separated or divorced parents, a CTPOA ensures both parents have formally consented to the travel, helping prevent legal disputes or allegations of abduction, especially when custody arrangements are involved.

The requirement of a Power of Attorney for a child’s travel is rooted in UAE law. The primary legislation is the UAE Personal Status Law (Federal Law No. 28 of 2005) and its subsequent amendments. This law establishes a clear distinction between the roles of a “Custodian” and a “Guardian,” which is fundamental to understanding travel rules.

• Custodian (Al Hadin): This role is focused on the child’s physical care. The custodian is responsible for the day-to-day upbringing, nurturing, and housing of the child. Following UAE law, custody of young children usually rests with the mother.
• Guardian (Al Wali): This role involves supervising the child’s affairs. The guardian oversees financial matters, education, and important life decisions. Crucially, this includes providing consent for the child to travel abroad. The father is typically the guardian.

This legal separation of duties creates a system of checks and balances. It ensures that major decisions, like international travel, require mutual agreement. This becomes even more crucial when the custodian and guardian are two different individuals, as each holds distinct legal responsibilities. That’s why explicit, written consent is almost always required, even if the child is traveling with one of their biological parents.

Key articles of the Personal Status Law illustrate this:

• Article 149: This article establishes that the guardian has the legal right to object to the custodian taking the child abroad if it poses a potential risk to the child’s wellbeing or violates the custody agreement.
• Article 150: This article requires the custodian to obtain the guardian’s explicit written consent before traveling internationally with the child, even for temporary purposes.
• Article 151: Balances this by stating the guardian cannot take the child abroad during the custody period without the custodian’s written consent.
• Article 157: Clarifies that the guardian has the right to hold the child’s passport but must give it to the custodian for travel once consent is given.

If a guardian or custodian unreasonably withholds consent, the other party has the right to petition the family courts for a final decision.

Read More: Travelling with Kids? Know more about the Child Travel POA in the UAE

A well-drafted Child Travel POA must be precise and detailed. Vague or incomplete documents risk being rejected by airlines or immigration authorities. The following information is essential for a compliant Child Travel Power of Attorney draft.

• Child’s Details: Full name, date of birth, place of birth, and passport number with issuance and expiry dates.
• Parent/Guardian Details (The Principal): The full names, contact information, and passport/Emirates ID numbers of the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) granting permission.
• Accompanying Adult’s Details (The Attorney): The full name, relationship to the child, contact information, and passport/Emirates ID number of the trusted adult who will be traveling with the child.
• Travel Details: A clear and specific travel itinerary. This must include the destination country (or countries), the exact start and end dates of the trip, and flight numbers if available.
• Explicit Consent Statement: A direct and unambiguous declaration stating that the parents/guardians grant full permission for the child to travel with the named adult for the specified journey.

Additional Clauses or Restrictions

A robust Child Travel POA should include more than just basic travel permission. Parents can and should customize the document to include specific powers and limitations.

• Medical Authorization: It grants the accompanying adult the authority to consent to emergency medical or dental treatment on the child’s behalf. Scope of Authority: The document can specify the exact powers being delegated. This can include the authority to handle flight changes, manage lost luggage, and generally ensure the child’s safety and well-being throughout the journey.
• Limitations and Restrictions: Parents should include clear limitations. For example, the document can explicitly state that the authorization is valid only for the specified trip and destination and does not grant permission for any other travel.

Additional Clauses or Restrictions

A robust Child Travel POA should include more than just basic travel permission. Parents can and should customize the document to include specific powers and limitations.

• Medical Authorization: This is one of the most critical additional clauses. It grants the accompanying adult the authority to consent to emergency medical or dental treatment on the child’s behalf. This power is a key advantage of a POA over a simple consent letter and can be vital in an emergency.
• Scope of Authority: The document can specify the exact powers being delegated. This can include the authority to handle flight changes, manage lost luggage, and generally ensure the child’s safety and well-being throughout the journey.
• Limitations and Restrictions: Parents should include clear limitations. For example, the document can explicitly state that the authorization is valid only for the specified trip and destination and does not grant permission for any other travel. This prevents any potential misuse of the document.

Creating a legally valid CTPOA in the UAE involves a clear, sequential process. Each step builds upon the last, and performing them in the correct order is essential for the document’s acceptance by authorities. This “chain of validation” ensures the document is authentic and legally enforceable.

Step 1: Drafting the Document

The first step is to prepare a comprehensive Child Travel Power of Attorney draft. It is highly recommended to use a legal expert or a reputable Power of Attorney online service for this.

Step 2: Legal Translation

In the UAE, Arabic is the official language of all legal proceedings. If the Child Travel Power of Attorney (CTPOA) is initially drafted in English or any other language, it must be translated into Arabic by a legal translator certified by the UAE Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The final version submitted to the notary must be in Arabic.

Step 3: Notarization

The Child Travel Power of Attorney notarization gives the document its legal power within the UAE. Both parents or legal guardians must sign the drafted and translated POA in the presence of a UAE Notary Public. This can be done at a government Notary Public office or through a licensed private notary service.

Step 4: Attestation (for International Use)

If the CTPOA will be used outside the UAE, notarization alone may not be sufficient. The document may require further validation through a Child Travel Power of Attorney attestation. This is a two-part process:

• First, the notarized POA must be attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).
• Second, it must be attested by the embassy or consulate of the destination country, which is located within the UAE.

This final stamp confirms the document is valid for use in that specific country.

Note: Attestation is not usually required if the child is traveling within the UAE.

Every POA type has unique requirements mandated by the legal authorities. Check out how to get a Power of Attorney in the UAE to know about the most crucial steps.

Gathering the correct documents beforehand will make the process much smoother. The following table provides a clear checklist of the documents required for a Child Travel Power of Attorney in the UAE, consolidating information from various legal and official sources.

Notes / Source Snippets

For a full checklist with examples, refer to: Important documents required for Power of Attorney in Dubai

The cost of obtaining a Child Travel Power of Attorney in the UAE is not a single fixed fee. It is the sum of several different services, and the final price can vary depending on the complexity of the document and the service provider chosen.

Some online service providers advertise starting prices from AED 599. More comprehensive packages that include drafting and notary fees can range from AED 1,350 to AED 1,590. It is always advisable to request a detailed, all-inclusive quotation upfront to understand the full cost and avoid any unexpected charges.

A CTPOA is not an open-ended document. It is a temporary legal instrument designed for a specific purpose and for a limited time. The document itself must explicitly state its period of validity. This is almost always tied to the specific dates of a single planned trip. For example, the POA will state that it is valid from the date of departure to the date of return.

While it is technically possible to draft a POA for a longer duration or to cover multiple trips, this is not standard practice and is generally discouraged. Such documents may face higher scrutiny from immigration officials who prefer clear, unambiguous authorization for a single, defined journey.

Once the trip is completed or the end date specified in the document has passed, the POA automatically becomes invalid.

Parents can learn more about legal timelines here: How long a Power of Attorney is valid in the UAE?

Using a dedicated platform for your Child Travel Power of Attorney online offers several distinct advantages over traditional methods.

• They are drafted and regularly updated by legal experts to ensure full compliance with current UAE laws and regulations.
• The entire process can often be completed from the comfort of your home or office, saving valuable time and multiple trips to a law firm.
• Reputable platforms typically offer a bundled package. This includes the initial Child Travel Power of Attorney draft, the mandatory translation, and full assistance with the notarization.
• Online services often operate with transparent, fixed pricing.
• The process can be managed remotely, liaising with authorities for online notarization.
• Many platforms provide customer support to guide you through each step of the process, offering peace of mind.

Don’t let paperwork slow you down; let Safe Ledger FZCO handle your Child Travel POA so you can focus on the journey ahead.

The terms “Power of Attorney” and “Consent Form” are often used interchangeably, causing significant confusion. While both documents grant permission for travel, they are legally distinct. A CTPOA offers far greater legal authority and protection. The table below clarifies the key differences.

The Cancellation of Child Travel Power of Attorney is a crucial final step to ensure the agent no longer holds any legal power on your behalf.

The process to cancel a POA in Dubai is formal and mirrors the process of creating one:

• Draft a Revocation Notice: The “Revocation of Power of Attorney” must be drafted, identifying the original POA by its date and reference number. It must state the principal’s unequivocal intent to cancel it.
• Notarize the Revocation: The revocation notice must be signed by the principal in front of a UAE Notary Public, such as the Dubai Courts Notary Public or the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Notary.
• Formally Notify the Agent: It is a written requirement informing the agent that their authority has been revoked. This notification should be sent by registered mail or a courier that provides proof of delivery, to avoid any future disputes.
• Notify Relevant Third Parties: If the original POA was registered with any institutions, such as a bank or a government department, a copy of the notarized revocation should be submitted to them to update their records.

You may update authority or reassign responsibilities. Learn more here: Can a Power of Attorney be Transferred

Whether a parent is traveling from Dubai, Abu Dhabi or any other emirate, Safe Ledger helps ensure the Child Travel POA is legally valid both in the UAE and abroad. Get in touch with Safe Ledger FZCO for the cancellation of Child Travel Power of Attorney in the UAE!

Parents can obtain Child Travel Power of Attorney (CTPOA) services across all Emirates in the UAE. However, procedures, attestation requirements, and processing timelines may vary depending on the Emirate where the POA is issued or notarised.

1. With a POA in Dubai, parents can draft and notarize a child travel draft through Dubai Courts Notary Public or authorized private notary offices. Many service providers also assist with bilingual (Arabic–English) drafting to meet immigration requirements.
2. In Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) offers both in-person and online POA notarisation services. Parents residing in the capital often prefer digital notarisation options for POA in Abu Dhabi, boosting faster processing.
3. With a POA in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, parents can access POA services through local courts or authorized typing and legal service centres. These Emirates may require physical presence for notarisation and additional attestations depending on travel destination requirements.

Across all Emirates, including a POA in Ajman, parents should ensure the draft clearly mentions the child’s details, travel dates, accompanying adult details, and consent from both parents, if applicable. For international travel, authorities may also require MOFA attestation and embassy attestation, depending on the destination country.