Travel Authorization Letter to El Salvador: 2026 Requirements
The content of this article is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Multi Servicios 360 is not a law firm. If you need advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney in California.
The Salvadoran community is one of the largest in the United States, especially in California, Virginia, Texas, and New York. Many families travel to El Salvador to visit loved ones, and it's essential that they properly prepare documentation for their minor children.
El Salvador's General Directorate of Migration and Immigration (DGME) actively verifies documentation for minors at the airport and border crossings.
⚠️ Important notice: Multi Servicios 360 is a self-help document preparation software. We are not attorneys or licensed document preparers. This article is for informational purposes only. Consult the Salvadoran consulate or an attorney for your specific situation.
What does El Salvador require?
El Salvador's Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Protection Law (LEPINA) and immigration regulations establish that minors traveling without both parents must present authorization from the absent parent.
The document must be properly notarized and, in many cases, authenticated or apostilled to be recognized by Salvadoran authorities. Verify with the El Salvador consulate the current requirements at the time of your trip.
Airport and entry points
- •Monsignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez International Airport (SAL) — San Salvador / San Luis Talpa (only international airport)
- •Las Chinamas border crossing — border with Guatemala
- •El Amatillo border crossing — border with Honduras
- •El Poy border crossing — border with Honduras (north)
What should the letter include?
The authorization letter for El Salvador must include:
Minor's information: full name, date of birth, US passport number and DUI (Salvadoran Unique Identity Document if applicable), Salvadoran birth certificate number if applicable. Authorizing parent/guardian's information: full name, DUI (if applicable) or US passport, US address, contact phone number. Companion's information: full name, identification number, relationship to the minor. Travel details: departure and return dates, destination in El Salvador, airline and flight number if possible. Notarized signature: the signature must be certified by a notary public.Is an apostille needed?
For a US-notarized document to be legally recognized in El Salvador, an Hague Apostille may be required. This depends on whether the document will be presented to Salvadoran authorities or simply at the airport at the time of entry.
Consult with the nearest El Salvador consulate to determine if your specific case requires an apostille.
Special situations
Dual citizenship: If your child has a Salvadoran DUI or was born in El Salvador, authorities may apply Salvadoran law. The US passport does not eliminate this status. Single-parent family: If you are a single parent with legal custody, bring documentation proving custody (court order) translated into Spanish. Minors traveling alone: Verify unaccompanied minor conditions with the airline in advance.Airlines with flights to El Salvador
The main airlines flying from the United States to El Salvador are Avianca, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Spirit. Each airline has its own requirements for minors — confirm directly with the airline.
Prepare your document in advance
At Multi Servicios 360, we generate your travel authorization letter for El Salvador in minutes. The document includes all necessary information, in Spanish and English, correctly formatted and ready to notarize.
We are a self-help software — you enter the details, we generate the document. We are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice. → Prepare your travel authorization letter — $49Multi Servicios 360 is a self-help document preparation software. We are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice. For complex situations, please consult a qualified attorney.
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