Child Travel NOC in Dubai: Who Needs One, Documents & Steps (2026)

By SRK Solutions October 13, 2026

What Is a Child Travel NOC?

NOC stands for No Objection Certificate. For child travel, it is a written declaration from the non-travelling parent saying they agree to the child leaving the country, with whom, to where, and for how long.

You will also hear it called:

Parental consent letter
Child travel consent letter
Travel authorization for a minor

A simple signed letter carries little weight on its own. Once it is notarized, the notary has confirmed the identity of the person signing, which is why airlines, immigration officers and foreign embassies take it seriously.

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Quick Answer

A child travel NOC is a signed, notarized letter in which a parent (or guardian) who is not travelling gives permission for their child to travel abroad. You will usually need one when a child under 18 travels with only one parent, with relatives or friends, with a school group, or alone. In the UAE, it is prepared in Arabic and English and signed in front of a notary, either in person or through Dubai Courts’ remote notary service using UAE Pass.

What Is a Child Travel NOC?

You will also hear it called:

Parental consent letter
Child travel consent letter
Travel authorization for a minor

Is a Child Travel NOC Mandatory in the UAE?

Here is the honest answer: not every family needs one for every trip, but many families need one without realising it.

Both parents travelling with the child:usually no NOC needed.
Child travelling with one parent:the airline or the destination country may ask for consent from the other parent. Some countries, such as Canada, strongly recommend it, and others refuse entry without it.
Separated or divorced parents:UAE personal status rules require the written consent of the other parent (or court permission) for travel. This is where an NOC matters most.
Travel ban on the child:if either parent has registered a travel ban on the child, departure is blocked at immigration no matter what documents you carry. Only a court order can lift it.

Our advice: if only one parent, or neither parent, is on the trip, get the NOC. It costs far less than a missed flight.

When Do You Need a Child Travel NOC? (Quick Reference)

Travel situation	Who signs the NOC	What else to carry
Child travels with mother only	Father	Birth certificate, father’s passport and EID copy
Child travels with father only	Mother	Birth certificate, mother’s passport and EID copy
Child travels with grandparents, uncle or aunt	Both parents	Companion’s passport copy, birth certificate
School trip or sports tour	Both parents	School’s travel letter, companion details
Child flies alone (unaccompanied minor)	Both parents	Airline’s unaccompanied minor form, receiving adult’s details
Parents separated or divorced	The other parent (or court permission)	Custody order or divorce documents
One parent has passed away	Surviving parent / guardian	Death certificate, guardianship document if applicable

NOC, Consent Letter or Power of Attorney: Which One Do You Need?

Travel NOC / consent letter: Best for a single trip, such as a holiday, family visit or school tour. It names the dates and destination.

Power of attorney (POA) for a minor: It’s better when a relative or trusted adult will travel with the child repeatedly, or must also handle visa applications, hospital decisions or school matters while abroad. See our POA Services.

If you’re not sure, tell us the purpose of the trip and we’ll recommend the right document.

What Must a Child Travel NOC Include?

A vague letter is the number one reason consent documents get rejected. Make sure yours clearly states:

Full details of both parents:names exactly as in the passport, nationality, passport numbers and Emirates ID numbers.
Full details of the child:name as in the passport, date of birth, passport number and UAE residence details.
The travelling companion:full name, relationship to the child and passport number.
Travel details:destination country (and transit countries), departure and return dates, flight numbers if available.
A clear consent statement:that the parent has no objection to the child travelling with the named person for the stated purpose.
Contact details:phone number and email of the non-travelling parent, in case an officer wants to verify.
Signature, notary stamp and date.

Documents Required for a Child Travel NOC in Dubai

Keep these ready before you start:

✅ Passport copies of both parents and the child
✅ Emirates ID of both parents (valid, not expired)
✅ UAE residence visa copies (if applicable)
✅ Child’s birth certificate (with certified translation if not in Arabic or English)
✅ Passport copy of the travelling companion (if not a parent)
✅ Flight booking or travel itinerary
✅ Custody order, divorce certificate or guardianship document (for separated, divorced, or guardian situations)
✅ Death certificate (if one parent has passed away)

Step-by-Step: How to Get a Child Travel NOC in Dubai

Step 1: Gather the documents. Use the checklist above. Check every name and passport number against the original passport.

Step 2: Draft the NOC in Arabic and English. Notaries in Dubai work in Arabic, so the document is prepared bilingually. A professional draft avoids wording that gets questioned later.

Step 3: Choose how to notarize.

In person:at a Dubai Courts notary office or a licensed private notary in Dubai.
Remotely:through Dubai Courts’ online notary service. The signing parent logs in with UAE Pass, joins a short video call with the notary, and signs digitally. No office visit is needed.

Step 4: Sign in front of the notary. The notary verifies the signing parent’s identity (Emirates ID and passport) and confirms they understand what they are signing.

Step 5: Receive the notarized NOC. You get the stamped document, usually the same day once everything is in order.

Step 6: Attest it if it will be used abroad (when required). Some embassies or foreign authorities ask for MOFA attestation of a UAE-notarized document. Check the destination country’s rules, or ask our Attestation Services team.

What If the Non-Travelling Parent Is Outside the UAE?

This is very common for expat families. The parent abroad can:

Sign the NOC before a notary in their country, then have it attested by the UAE Embassy there and by MOFA in the UAE, or
Sign at their own country’s consulate, if it offers this service.

If the document is not in Arabic or English, it will also need an attested Arabic translation for use in the UAE.

Separated or Divorced Parents: What You Need to Know

This is where child travel gets sensitive, so it’s worth getting right.

Under Article 116 of Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024 (Personal Status Law), a parent with custody can travel with the child abroad with the written consent of the other parent. Where consent isn’t given, the court can allow travel for up to 60 days a year in total, with a guarantee that the child will return.
Under the civil personal status framework for non-Muslims (Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 and Cabinet Decision No. 122 of 2023), neither parent should take the child outside the UAE without the other parent’s consent during joint custody.
Either parent can request a travel ban on the child through the courts. Once registered, it blocks departure at the airport until a court lifts it.

In practice: if your relationship with the other parent is cooperative, a notarized NOC is the simplest route. If there’s a disagreement or a travel ban, speak to a qualified lawyer before booking anything.

Common Mistakes That Stop Children from Flying

❌ Name mismatch:the parent’s or child’s name doesn’t match the passport exactly.
❌ Wrong or old passport number:especially after a passport renewal.
❌ Expired Emirates IDat the time of notarizing. (Need a renewal? See our Emirates ID Services.)
❌ Open-ended wording:no dates, no destination, or “any country”.
❌ Missing transit countries:some transit airports ask questions too.
❌ Carrying only a photocopy:always carry the original notarized NOC.
❌ Leaving it to the last day:an urgent rush is when errors happen.

Airport Tips for Parents

Carry the original NOC, plus a copy on your phone and in your email.
Keep the child’s birth certificatewith you, especially if the child’s surname differs from the travelling parent’s.
Check your airline’s minor travel policybefore departure. Some carriers have their own forms.
Check the destination country’s entry rulesfor minors. Their requirements can be stricter than the UAE’s.
Save the other parent’s phone numberin case an officer wants to verify consent.

How SRK Corporate Services Helps

At SRK Corporate Services, based in Riggat Al Buteen, Deira, we prepare child travel NOCs for families across Dubai. We take care of the paperwork so you can focus on the trip.

✅ Bilingual Arabic–English drafting, with every detail checked against the passports
✅ Notary appointment support, in person or remote through UAE Pass
✅ Power of attorney for minors, when a one-time NOC isn’t enough
✅ Birth certificate and document attestationand certified translation
✅ Guidance for parents abroadon embassy and MOFA attestation
✅ Fast, clear updates on WhatsApp

Related SRK Services

POA Services: power of attorney for minors, relatives and guardians, drafted in Arabic and English
Attestation Services: birth certificate, MOFA and embassy attestation
Translation Services: certified translation of birth certificates, custody papers and NOCs in 150+ languages
Emirates ID Services: renew an expired Emirates ID before you notarize
Amer Center Services: residence visa support for your child and family
PRO Services: end-to-end government document support

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child need an NOC if both parents are travelling together?

Usually not. An NOC is needed when at least one parent is not on the trip.

Can a mother travel alone with her child from Dubai?

Yes, provided there’s no travel ban on the child. A notarized NOC from the father is strongly recommended, and it’s essential for separated or divorced parents.

How long does it take to get a child travel NOC in Dubai?

Once the documents are ready, notarization is often completed the same day, especially through the remote notary service.

Can the NOC be done online?

Yes. Dubai Courts offers remote notarization. The signing parent needs an active UAE Pass and a valid Emirates ID.

How long is a child travel NOC valid?

It is valid for the trip and dates written in it. For repeated travel, consider a power of attorney for the minor instead.

Does the NOC need to be in Arabic?

For notarization in Dubai, yes. It is prepared in Arabic, usually alongside English, so foreign authorities can also read it.

My child’s surname is different from mine. Is that a problem?

It can lead to questions. Carry the child’s birth certificate showing both parents’ names, together with the NOC.

What if there is a travel ban on my child?

An NOC cannot override a travel ban. It must be lifted by court order or by the parent who registered it. Speak to a lawyer.

Travelling Soon? Get Your Child Travel NOC Sorted Today

Don’t let one missing document cancel your family’s holiday. Send us your trip details and we’ll tell you exactly what you need.

📞 Toll-free: 800 775 775
💬 WhatsApp: +971569859775
✉️ Email: info@srksolutions.ae
🌐 Website: srksolutions.ae
📍 Riggat Al Buteen, Deira, Dubai

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Deira, Dubai