NOTICE TO TRAVELERS WITH MINOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18

In order to prevent instances of child abduction, some airlines in the region have begun to enforce new document controls for air travel with minors. These measures can be poorly advertised and inconsistently applied, and the changes have interrupted the travel plans of some U.S. citizens.

For any minor child arriving to or departing from Togo by air travel, U.S. Embassy Lome recommends that accompanying adults be prepared to demonstrate that both biological parents have consented to the minor’s travel. If both biological parents are not physically traveling with the minor, we recommend that the adult(s) traveling with the minor have the following documents available for inspection by security officers and airline employees:

• Passport of minor;
• Original, full birth certificate of minor;
• Notarized affidavit, signed by biological parents, that names another adult with whom the child is authorized to travel;
• Other legal documents showing that an adult who is not the minor’s biological parent has been granted legal custody of the minor.

Please also consider other important steps to take before traveling outside of the United States (English only):

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/checklist.html 

For U.S. citizens who experience difficulties while traveling in Togo, please contact the U.S. Embassy in Lome at +228 22 61 54 70. The Embassy is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week..