At what age can I travel abroad on my own?

If you are 18 or over, you can travel abroad on your own without needing the consent of your parents.

If you are under 18, it depends on the airline or travel operator, and on the rules of the country you’re travelling to. You should always check:

• The airline’s policy on children and young people travelling unaccompanied
• The visa or entry rules for the destination country on children and young people travelling unaccompanied

If it is the case that you need your parents’ consent and cannot obtain it, it may be possible to apply to the court for permission. For information on this, please complete our contact form.

Can I travel abroad with one of my parents if the other disagrees?

If you’re travelling abroad with only one of your parents, the parent you’re travelling with must get the consent of all other people with parental responsibility for you beforehand. If they don’t have this consent, you may not be allowed to travel. If consent isn’t given, the parent you’re travelling with can apply to court for an order allowing you to travel abroad.

At what age can I get my own passport?

You can apply for an adult passport without consent from a parent or guardian if you are aged 16 or over (or will be in 3 weeks).

However, there is an exception to this rule if you are subject to a court order until you are 18, such as a child arrangements order. Also, if you are in care or if you have been adopted. If you’re in that situation, do contact the Passport Office adviceline for help.