Travel Authorization Letter to Mexico: 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.
Every year, thousands of Latino families in California, Texas, Illinois, and Florida send their children to visit grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins in Mexico. Sometimes they travel with mom, sometimes with dad, sometimes with a relative. What many families don't know is that Mexican law requires a specific document when a minor travels without both parents.
Without that document, immigration authorities at the airport or border can deny the minor entry or exit from Mexico. It doesn't matter if they have a US passport or dual citizenship — the rules apply the same.
What does Mexican law say?
Mexico's Immigration Law (Article 42) clearly states: a minor under 18 traveling accompanied by only one parent, or by a third party (grandparent, uncle, family friend), needs written and notarized authorization from the absent parent or guardian.This applies at all points of entry to Mexico: international airports (AICM in Mexico City, Cancún, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Los Cabos), land border crossings (Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, Laredo, El Paso), and seaports.
Who needs this document?
You need a travel authorization letter if your minor child under 18 is traveling to Mexico:
- •With only one parent (the other parent must authorize)
- •With grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other relatives (both parents must authorize)
- •With family friends or school groups (both parents must authorize)
- •Alone (if old enough to travel unaccompanied)
What should the letter include?
A valid travel authorization letter for Mexico must contain:
Minor's information: full legal name, date of birth, passport number, citizenship. Authorizing parent/guardian's information: full name, ID number, relationship to the minor. Information about who will travel with the minor: full name, passport or ID number, relationship to the minor. Travel details: departure and return dates, specific destinations in Mexico (city/state), airline or border crossing point. Notarized signature: the letter must be signed before a notary public. Many airlines also require this even when the government doesn't always specify it — it's best to have it.Most common destinations in Mexico
Latino families of Mexican origin in the United States typically travel to:
Central: Mexico City, State of Mexico, Puebla, Hidalgo, Querétaro Western: Jalisco (Guadalajara), Michoacán, Guanajuato, Colima Northern: Nuevo León (Monterrey), Chihuahua, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Baja California Southern: Oaxaca, Guerrero, Veracruz, Chiapas, Tabasco Caribbean/Tourist: Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum), YucatánThe authorization requirement applies throughout the country, regardless of destination.
Which airlines require it?
Airlines like Volaris, Aeroméxico, VivaAerobus, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest may ask for the letter at check-in, especially if the minor is traveling without both parents. Some airlines are stricter than others, but it's not worth the risk.
Unaccompanied minor policies vary by airline and by the child's age (generally children under 12 require special service, and under 15 in some cases).
Land border crossing
If your family crosses at Tijuana-San Diego, Nogales, Ciudad Juárez-El Paso, Nuevo Laredo-Laredo, or any other land border crossing, Mexican immigration agents at the entry checkpoint may request the letter.
The land crossing is especially important for families visiting communities in Sinaloa, Michoacán, Guerrero, or Oaxaca, where many people drive from California.
Difference between a simple letter and a notarized letter
A simple letter written at home is not enough. Mexican authorities require the document to be notarized — meaning signed in the presence of a notary public who certifies the authenticity of the signature.
Also, if the document is in English, it can be helpful to have a Spanish version to present to Mexican authorities.
At Multi Servicios 360 we prepare bilingual letters (Spanish and English), properly notarized, and valid for presentation at both airports and land border crossings.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an apostille for the letter to be valid in Mexico? No. Unlike other countries, Mexico accepts notarized letters directly without an apostille. However, if you'll also use the document in another country during the same trip, check that country's requirements. What if the parent is deceased or cannot be located? If one parent is deceased, bring the original death certificate. If there is a sole custody order, bring the court order. If the parent simply won't cooperate, consult a family law attorney — the solution may be a court order. Does the letter have an expiration date? There is no official expiration date established by Mexican law, but the practice is that it be specific to the trip (with entry and return dates). A very old letter may raise questions. Does it work if I write it in English? Technically yes, because Mexico accepts English-language documents at international entry points. However, for land crossings and in smaller cities, a Spanish version is more practical.Prepare your letter today
Don't leave this document for the last minute. Airlines won't wait, and immigration agents won't either.
At Multi Servicios 360 we prepare your travel authorization letter to Mexico in minutes, with bilingual review, correct format for airports and land border crossings, and ready to notarize.
→ Prepare your travel authorization letter for Mexico — $49Multi Servicios 360 provides legal documents at affordable prices for Latino families. We are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice. For complex situations (custody disputes, complicated dual citizenship), please consult a family law attorney.
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