Parental Consent Request Letter: Free Template and What to Include

If you need to request consent from the other parent for a specific decision about your child, a written letter is the recommended first step — it creates a clear record and shows you're pursuing the matter formally. Below is what a strong parental consent request should include.

What this letter needs to cover

• Identify the child
• The parents or those with parental responsibility
• The specific matter requiring consent
• Set out the relevant background
• Reference section 3 of the Children Act 1989 on parental responsibility
• Request written consent and propose a reasonable response timeframe

When you need the other parent's consent

Certain decisions about a child — such as changing their school, taking them abroad, or changing their surname — generally require the consent of everyone with parental responsibility, not just the parent the child lives with day to day. Getting this in writing, even informally, protects both parents and avoids disputes later about what was actually agreed.

What to include before you send it

• A clear description of the specific decision you're seeking consent for
• Your reasoning, where helpful — particularly for decisions affecting the child's welfare or stability
• A reasonable deadline for a response
• What you intend to do if consent is withheld unreasonably

If consent is refused

If the other parent unreasonably refuses consent for something genuinely in the child's best interests, you may be able to apply to court for a Specific Issue Order, which asks the court to decide the matter directly. This is generally a last resort after attempting to resolve things directly and, where appropriate, through mediation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need written consent for every decision about my child?
No — day-to-day decisions don't require formal consent, but significant decisions affecting a child's welfare, education, or where they live typically do if both parents have parental responsibility.

What if the other parent doesn't have parental responsibility?
If they don't hold parental responsibility, their consent generally isn't legally required, though it's often still good practice to keep them informed depending on the circumstances.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Postcode]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Name]
[Address]
[Postcode]
[Date]

Dear [Name],

Subject: Request for your consent – [Child's Name]

I am asking for your written consent about our child, [Child's Name], born [Date of Birth]. We both have parental responsibility for [him / her / them], as defined in section 3 of the Children Act 1989.

The decision: [choose: to take [Child's Name] abroad on holiday / to change [his / her / their] school to [School] / other].

[If travel:]
• Destination: [Country and City]
• Leaving: [Date]
• Returning: [Date]
• Staying at: [Accommodation]
• Contact while away: [Your Phone Number]

Background: [e.g. this is a family holiday with my parents / the new school is closer to home and has a place available from January].

Please sign and return the enclosed consent form by [Date, e.g. 14 days from this letter]. [For travel: I may need to show it, with a copy of your passport, at the border.]

If you have any concerns, please tell me so we can discuss them.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]