TRAVEL FOR MINORS UNDER 14 – ACCOMPANYING DECLARATION
When it is required
A minor under the age of 14 may travel abroad:
- accompanied by at least one parent or legal guardian, without the need for an accompanying declaration;
- accompanied by another adult, subject to an accompanying declaration;
- entrusted to the transport company (for example, an airline or shipping company), subject to an accompanying declaration.
Before purchasing the ticket, it is nevertheless necessary to check with the transport company that the minor under 14 may travel while entrusted to the company itself.
Who can request the declaration
The accompanying declaration is provided exclusively for Italian minors under the age of 14 who travel:
- outside the national borders;
- or, if resident abroad, outside the borders of their country of residence;
and who are accompanied by a person other than the person exercising parental or guardianship responsibility.
It is NOT required when the minor travels with their mother, father or guardian.
Validity of the declaration
The accompanying declaration is valid for a single journey, either a one-way journey or a round trip, to a specific destination.
The maximum validity is normally 6 months and must cover both the departure date and the return date.
In the presence of justified circumstances, the competent Office may authorize a longer period of validity, for instance in cases where the minor is entrusted to a healthcare or educational institution.
In any event, the declaration cannot be valid beyond the expiry date of the minor’s passport.
Minors who have reached the age of 14
A minor who has already reached the age of 14 may travel unaccompanied, in accordance with the legislation currently in force concerning passports and equivalent identity or travel documents (Law No. 1185/1967).
However, it is necessary to check in advance the conditions established by the airline or transport company.
Required documentation
To request an accompanying declaration, the following must be submitted:
- Accompanying declaration form completed [click here].
- Copy of the identity documents of the parents or persons exercising parental or guardianship responsibility.
- Copy of the minor’s Italian identity document.
- Copy of the accompanying person’s identity document.
- Copy of the travel document/ticket, if already available.
Signature of a non-EU citizen parent or guardian
The signature of a parent or guardian who is a citizen of a country outside the European Union must be authenticated:
- at the Passport Office of the Embassy of Italy in Dublin; or
- by an Irish public official (Garda).
How to submit the application
The application, together with the required documentation, may be submitted:
By ordinary mail
Embassy of Italy in Dublin
Consular Chancellery
63-65 Northumberland Road
Dublin 4 Ireland
By email
Collection of the declaration
The accompanying declaration may be collected by one of the parents or by the person acting in their place at the Passport Office of the Embassy, during public opening hours.
Important Applicants are strongly advised to submit the request well in advance of the departure date.
The Office responsible for issuing the declaration may, at its discretion and in the best interests of the minor, require the persons concerned to attend in person.