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Family Travel Guides

MSC Minor Consent Form: One Parent and Child Travel Permission

If a child is traveling on an MSC cruise without one or both parents or legal guardians, a notarized authorization letter may be required depending on the traveler, itinerary, and MSC’s current rules. iRemoteNotary can help the signing parent or guardian complete an eligible online notarization before sailing.

iRemoteNotary Editorial Team

Published and reviewed by iRemoteNotary
Last reviewed September 27, 2026

Quick Answer

Should I notarize an MSC minor travel consent letter?

If a child is traveling without one or both parents or legal guardians, an MSC consent or authorization letter may need to be notarized depending on the sailing, itinerary, and who is accompanying the child. MSC currently says a one-parent sailing needs a notarized letter from the parent who is not traveling, signed in front of a notary, with a copy shown at check-in.

If an adult is sailing with someone else’s child, MSC currently requires the child’s travel documents and an original notarized letter from a parent or legal guardian. That letter should authorize the cruise, name the adult who is responsible, and cover medical decisions. A notarized letter can help show that the signing parent or guardian verified identity and gave permission.

Check MSC’s current policy, your booking documents, and the requirements for each port of call before sailing. A notarized letter does not guarantee boarding or acceptance, and online notarization acceptance may depend on the receiving party.

Need an MSC child travel consent letter notarized online?

iRemoteNotary can help the signing parent or legal guardian complete an eligible MSC minor travel consent notarization online. The signer verifies identity, appears by video before a commissioned notary, and signs during the session.

Before booking, have the unsigned consent letter ready, confirm who must sign, and check whether your sailing, destination countries, or port requirements ask for specific wording.

Notarize the letter before you sail

Check MSC’s current policy for your sailing. Online notarization acceptance can depend on the receiving party. A notarized letter does not guarantee boarding.

Start My MSC Consent Notarization

What the cruise line currently says

This is a summary of the current published rule. Confirm it on the cruise line’s own page before you travel.

QuestionCurrent status
Minor definitionUnder 21 on voyages that include a U.S. port; under 18 otherwise
Non-parent adultRequired notarized authorization plus medical authority
One parentRequired notarized absent-parent consent — not a recommendation
Official formNo public U.S. parental-consent PDF confirmed
Check-in formatCopy of the signed notarized form presented at check-in
Matching surnamesMSC says no extra carrier documents beyond ordinary travel documents; destinations may still add rules
RON acceptanceNot expressly stated
Last verified2026-09-14

Who needs this document?

MSC currently states a minor means under 21 on voyages that include a U.S. port and under 18 on cruises that do not include a U.S. port.

The non-parent rule applies when an adult is traveling with someone else’s child. The one-parent rule applies when only one parent is sailing.

Who signs?

For a non-parent adult, MSC currently says the document must be signed in the presence of a notary by at least one parent or legal guardian.

For one-parent travel, the non-traveling parent must give notarized permission, signed in the presence of a notary.

Is there an official form?

No public U.S. MSC consent form has been found. Follow the current MSC USA Children & Teens FAQ and use a letter that matches what MSC describes.

View Official MSC Cruises Children & Teens Policy

MSC currently requires notarization for non-parent and one-parent sailings described in its Children & Teens FAQ. It does not say remote online notarization is accepted. Check MSC’s current policy for your sailing. A notarized letter does not guarantee boarding.

View Official MSC Cruises Children & Teens Policy(opens in a new tab)

What the authorization should cover

Non-parent authorization must allow the child to travel on the cruise, the accompanying adult to take responsibility, and medical authority.

One-parent authorization must state that the non-traveling parent gives permission for the child to travel.

MSC warns boarding may be denied without the required authorization.

Original vs electronic documents

MSC currently says an original notarized letter is required for the non-parent scenario and that a copy of the signed/notarized form is presented at check-in. Confirm the current check-in instruction. MSC does not expressly state remote online notarization acceptance.

Does it need notarization?

MSC currently calls for a notary on these one-parent and non-parent letters. iRemoteNotary can help the signing parent or guardian complete an eligible online notarization.

MSC has not said it will accept a letter notarized online. Check MSC’s current policy for your sailing. Remote online notarization may not be accepted for every receiving-party requirement. A notarized letter does not guarantee boarding or acceptance.

Need an MSC child travel consent letter notarized online?

iRemoteNotary can help the signing parent or legal guardian complete an eligible MSC minor travel consent notarization online. The signer verifies identity, appears by video before a commissioned notary, and signs during the session. Check MSC’s current policy before you rely on an electronic format. A notarized letter does not guarantee boarding.

Start My MSC Consent Notarization

Supporting documents

Depending on your situation, a cruise terminal or border officer may ask for more than a consent letter. No family needs every item.

  • Child’s valid travel documents.
  • If names differ, MSC lists birth certificate, marriage certificate or license, divorce documentation, adoption documentation, and government name-change documentation.
  • If the traveler is sailing with their own children and last names match, MSC’s FAQ says no additional documentation is required beyond ordinary travel documents. Destination-country rules can still add more.

Country rules are separate

The country on your itinerary may still ask for its own permission, even when the cruise line does not. Check the cruise line’s rule and child travel consent requirements by country separately.

Mistakes that cause problems at the terminal

  • Treating the one-parent letter as optional.
  • Using a generic sample as if MSC had published its own form.
  • Assuming matching last names cancel a destination country’s own rules.
  • Assuming a notarized letter means MSC will accept an online notarization.

If you are leaving soon

Already at the cruise terminal, leaving today, or holding a form the cruise line just handed you? Work the current official instruction first. If you need this at the terminal today, use the Cruise Port Emergency Minor Consent Guide.

  • Determine exactly what the cruise line or destination says is missing.
  • Obtain the current official form where one exists. Do not use an outdated PDF if the current form is reservation-based.
  • Confirm who must sign — one parent, both living parents, a legal guardian, and whether the accompanying adult must also sign.
  • Do not sign before the notarial session if execution must occur before the notary.
  • Have valid government photo ID ready.
  • Confirm whether an original paper document is required.
  • Ask whether the cruise line will accept a remotely notarized document. A notarized letter is not the same as permission to board.

Sources

Check the official page again before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

Does MSC require a notarized letter for minor travel?

MSC’s current Children & Teens FAQ requires a notarized authorization letter when an adult who is not the parent or legal guardian sails with a child, and a notarized letter from the non-traveling parent when only one parent is sailing. The exact document can still depend on the sailing, booking documents, itinerary, and who is accompanying the child. Check MSC’s current requirements before the session. A notarized letter does not guarantee boarding.

Can grandparents sail with a child on MSC?

MSC currently requires an original notarized letter from a parent or legal guardian authorizing the cruise, the accompanying adult’s responsibility, and medical authority. Boarding may be denied without it.

Related pages

Sources and Official References

The following primary sources support the legal and procedural information in this guide. Requirements can change, so confirm current rules with the receiving organization before relying on a notarized document.

Need an MSC child travel consent letter notarized online?

Have the unsigned consent letter ready, confirm who must sign, and check whether your sailing, destination countries, or port requirements ask for specific wording. iRemoteNotary does not provide legal advice or decide MSC’s acceptance requirements. A notarized letter does not guarantee boarding or acceptance.

Start My MSC Consent NotarizationAsk About My MSC Consent Letter