Minors travelling unaccompanied
It is advisable that anyone under the age of 18, not in the care/company of an adult, presents the following documentation. Evidence of consent from a parent or guardian of the child, such as:
- A signed letter from the child’s parent(s)/guardian giving consent for travel and providing his/her contact details
- A copy of a document identifying the parent/guardian, for example, a copy of the picture page of a passport or driving licence
- Evidence of the parent/guardian relationship with the child, for example, a copy of a birth or adoption certificate, or guardianship papers
- A death certificate in the case of a deceased parent.
If the minor is not ordinarily resident in Ireland:
- Full address of where they will be staying
- Full contact details of who they will be staying with.
Meeting an unaccompanied minor on arrival
An immigration officer may also seek to establish the relationship between an unaccompanied minor and any adult meeting the child on arrival at an airport, before permitting the child to enter the State. In this case the immigration officer may seek similar documentation to that outlined above.
Travelling with a minor who is not your child/has a different surname
It is advisable that children under the age of 18 present to an immigration officer as part of their family unit or group and not individually.
An immigration officer may ask questions to establish the identity of persons presenting at the border. In the case where a minor is accompanied by an adult with a different surname or by a person who is not his/her parent, the officer may seek to determine the relationship between the minor and accompanying adult.
It is important to note that in a situation where a child is travelling with one parent only, an immigration officer may seek evidence of consent from the child’s other parent. It is advisable to have the following documentation for presentation to an immigration officer to assist with such enquiries.
