Leaving Peru with a Peruvian Child

Updated 17 November 2011

This is ONLY if the child has entered on a Peruvian passport and is leaving the country. If you travel within Peru you should be fine. If they entered on a foreign passport then this rule does not apply.

NOTE: If a Peruvian passport holder is leaving the country with a child with a foreign passport, they also might need permission to leave. For example, if a Peruvian mother leaves with her American son, but the American father doesn't leave with them, then the American father might need to give the Peruvian mother permission to leave. I'm honestly not sure if the American father MUST do this, but it's better to just have the letter and be safe rather than sorry.

If the child entered on a Peruvian passport with one parent LESS than three months ago, the child can also leave with that same parent with no letter. Take note that the three month rule depends on the immigration official.

This rule is for when the couple is married or if the other parent has officially recognised the child as being his/hers. If the father/mother is not married to the woman/man and has not officially recognised his/her child, then the mother/father does not need permission. So if you travel with your child, and your name is the only name listed on the birth cert, then you will not need a notarised letter. However, you will still have to present the apostillised/translated birth certificate to show that you are the only one with custody.

If the parent resides outside of Peru then they will need to go to the Peruvian consulate and request the authorization to travel with a minor. The parent in Peru who will be traveling with the child will need to have this document with them.

You will need two things in order to leave the country.
1. A recent apostillised birth certificate for your child. If it's not in Spanish, it will have to be offically translated into Spanish.

2. A notarised letter. See Letters to immigration for the format. (If the child travels outside of Peru alone, both parents will have to sign the letter. If the child is travelling with one parent, then the other will have to sign the letter.) Here's an example of a permission to travel letter.

If only one parent has custody, proof will have to be shown. Here's an example for a parent with sole custody. For a widow(er), there are exceptions, you either present ID showing that you are a widow(er) or bring a death certificate. The death certificate should probably be apostillised and translated as well.

Resources: Check out the Ultimate Peru List's recommended ebooks and The LA Jobs List's free list of schools in Peru.