Key Summary
- DefinitionThis is a document that provides parental consent when a minor child goes abroad or undergoes local procedures without his or her parents.
- PurposeRequired for study abroad, language training, group travel, camps, visa applications, etc.
- FeaturesThis is not a document issued by a government office, but a private document written by parents.
- CertificationTranslation, notarization, Apostille, or embassy authentication are required depending on the submission country and destination.
There are frequently asked questions. “I am sending my child to study abroad alone, but they ask me to submit a parental consent form. Where do I get this?”
There is something to organize here first. Parental consent is not a document issued by a government office. This is a document written by parents themselves. So, there is no place to go to get it issued, but instead, the key is what content it contains and how to get it certified.
In this article, we will explain under what circumstances a parental consent form is needed, how to prepare it, and how to obtain certification.
Situations requiring parental consent
Parental consent is required when a minor child does something without parental supervision. Let’s look at a representative case.
The most common ones are study abroad and language training. If a minor attends school abroad alone, the school or local agency verifies parental consent. It is often required during the visa application process.
Group trips and camps are also available. When several minors leave the country together under the guidance of a school or organization, it may be necessary to prepare a parental consent form for each child. In this case, the guidance agency will handle multiple cases at once.
May also be required on trips accompanied by only one parent. Some countries also require consent from the other parent for child protection purposes.
In addition, it may be required when a minor creates an account or goes through certain procedures locally.
What content should I include?
The parental consent form does not have a set standard format, but is filled out with the content requested by the submission site.
The general information included is the parents' personal information, the child's personal information, the relationship with the child, the content of consent, its scope and period, and the parent's signature. In some cases, you may be asked for your passport number or contact information.
There are cases where the submission destination specifies the format. In this case, the school or visa application agency downloads the form, and in this case, you can use the form as is. If a form is not provided, you will fill it out with the necessary information.
Whether consent from both parents is necessary or whether one is sufficient varies depending on the submission site. Both signatures are required, but often only one side is prepared and then rewritten.
How do I translate and authenticate?
Since the parental consent form is a document written in Korea, it must be translated into the language of the submission country or English if it is to be submitted overseas. Additionally, a process is required to verify that the document was truly written by the parent.
Parental consent is not an official document issued by a government office, but a private document written by an individual. So, you cannot receive an Apostille right away; it must be notarized first. After receiving notarization, if the country of submission is a signatory to the Apostille Convention, an Apostille will be obtained, and if the country of submission is not a signatory, consulate confirmation and embassy authentication will be obtained.
However, the level of requirements varies depending on the submission source. Some places only accept translation certification, some require notarization, and still others require an Apostille. Taking unnecessary steps will waste money and time, so it's a good idea to check first what the submitter's requirements are.
Requirements vary by country
Requirements for parental consent differ depending on the country in which it is submitted.
If you are a member of the Apostille Convention, the process is completed with one step of Apostille after notarization. These countries include the Philippines, Singapore, the United States, Mongolia, and Japan. On the other hand, if you submit it to a country that has not signed the agreement, consular authentication and embassy authentication are required.
In the case of Vietnam, the Apostille Convention will come into effect on September 11, 2026, and thereafter, Apostille will be processed without embassy authentication.
Additionally, the content that must be included in the consent form may vary depending on the country or organization. Some places ask you to specify the period of stay or whether you will designate a guardian.
When multiple cases need to be processed at once
There are cases where study abroad centers, travel agencies, or institutions need to prepare parental consent forms for multiple children at the same time.
At this time, documents can be completed separately for each child, but the authentication process can be completed all at once. However, since a parent's signature is required for each child, it takes time to collect signatures. If you have a set departure schedule, it is safe to calculate backwards and start with plenty of time to spare.
If your organization processes it repeatedly, you will have to go through the same procedures every time, so if you organize the forms and procedures once, it will be much easier next time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where can I obtain a parental consent form?
This is not a document issued, but a document filled out by the parents themselves. If the submission destination specifies a format, fill it out. If not, fill it out with the necessary information.
Q. Do both parents have to sign?
Depends on where you submit. There are places where consent from both sides is required and there are places where one side is enough. If you don't check it in advance, you may end up having to rewrite it.
Q. Do I need to get it notarized?
Depends on level of request from submission source. In some cases, only translation certification is required, and in other cases, notarization and Apostille are required. Taking unnecessary steps will waste money, so it's best to check first.
Q. Can I file documents for multiple children at once?
It is possible. Documents can be completed for each child, but certification can be done together. However, since it takes time to collect parental signatures, it is recommended to calculate backwards and allow some time in your departure itinerary.
Q. If I am going to submit a payment to Vietnam, do I need to get embassy authentication?
From September 11, 2026, Vietnam will become a signatory to the Apostille Convention and Apostille will be processed without embassy authentication. Cases received before then will follow existing procedures.
Conclusion
Parental consent is not a document issued, but rather a document written by parents, and the key is to prepare it according to the content and certification level required by the submission site. What you need to prepare will vary depending on whether you need signatures from both parents or notarization and Apostille, so it is better to check first before starting.
Nanum Global handles everything from reviewing the parental consent form to translation, notarization, apostille, and consular authentication in accordance with the requirements of the country of submission. We will help you determine what steps are necessary so you do not have to go through unnecessary procedures. If you are concerned about your child's departure documents, please let us know the country to which they are to be submitted, their purpose, and departure schedule. We will guide you through the necessary documents and procedures. If you are an organization that handles multiple cases repeatedly, such as a study abroad agency or travel agency, we can organize the forms and procedures for you.
Are you having trouble preparing the parental consent form?
If you tell us the country of submission, purpose, and departure schedule, we will guide you through the necessary procedures including writing, translation, notarization, and Apostille.
