Only one parent or legal guardian needs to be present for a Global Entry interview when the applicant is a minor. Customs and Border Protection’s guidance uses the singular: “a parent or legal guardian must give permission and must be present at the time of the interview.”1U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Global Entry Frequently Asked Questions Both parents are not required to show up together. If custody is shared, though, the parent who cannot attend should sign a written consent letter for the attending parent to bring along, because officers can ask for proof that the absent parent agreed to the enrollment.
What CBP Requires at a Minor’s Interview
The minor must attend in person, regardless of age, and at least one parent or legal guardian must be there with them. CBP requires parental or legal guardianship permission for any applicant under 18, but the agency does not require both parents to appear.1U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Global Entry Frequently Asked Questions
In practice, when both parents share legal custody and only one plans to attend, the officer may want to see that the absent parent consented. Arriving without documentation of that consent risks having the interview rescheduled.
Consent Letter From the Absent Parent
If you share custody and your co-parent is not coming to the interview, bring a signed letter from them giving permission for the child to enroll in Global Entry. USA.gov recommends that the letter be notarized and written in English, and that it state the non-attending parent acknowledges the child is being enrolled with their permission, along with the name of the accompanying parent.2USAGov. International Travel Documents for Children
A stronger letter also includes the absent parent’s full legal name, current contact information, and the minor’s full legal name. Bring the original, signed document. A scan on a phone or a photocopy is not going to satisfy a CBP officer.
When You Do Not Need a Consent Letter
Two situations remove the need for the absent parent’s permission entirely:
- Sole legal custody. Bring the court order granting you sole custody. The order itself demonstrates that no other parent’s permission is required.
- Deceased parent. Bring the death certificate.
These need to be originals or certified copies. Officers will not accept a photograph of a custody order or an uncertified printout.
Documents to Bring for the Minor
The attending parent should come prepared with paperwork for both the child and themselves. For the minor, bring:
- A valid passport. If the child holds passports from more than one country, bring all of them so CBP can add each to the file.3U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Trusted Traveler Program – What Do I Need to Bring to My Interview
- A permanent resident card, if the child is a lawful permanent resident rather than a U.S. citizen.
- The original birth certificate, not a photocopy.
- The conditional approval letter, printed from the child’s TTP account.
Minors do not need to provide their own proof of address. The attending parent supplies proof of residency on the child’s behalf, which can be a driver’s license with a current address, a utility bill, or a mortgage or rental statement.4U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Trusted Traveler Program – What Do I Need to Bring to My InterviewGlobal Entry – Frequent International Travelers
The parent also needs their own valid passport or government-issued photo ID. If a consent letter, custody order, or death certificate applies to your situation, bring that as well.
What Happens During the Interview
The interview is short. A CBP officer reviews the application, checks documents, and asks basic questions about the child’s travel history. For younger children, the officer directs most questions to the parent.
Fingerprints are collected from applicants 14 and older. Children under 14 are not fingerprinted. A photograph is taken of every applicant regardless of age. The officer confirms details on the application and flags any discrepancies that need correction.
When the paperwork is in order, families are usually in and out within about 15 minutes. A missing consent letter or an expired passport can stop the process, so double-check everything the night before.
Fees and Eligibility for Minors
Children under 18 can enroll in Global Entry for free when a parent or legal guardian is already a member or has submitted their own Trusted Traveler Program application in at least pending or conditionally approved status.1U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Global Entry Frequently Asked Questions Adults pay a $120 non-refundable application fee, and membership lasts five years for both adults and minors.5U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Global Entry
A minor whose parent is not enrolled can still apply, but the parent or guardian must still give permission and be present at the interview.1U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Global Entry Frequently Asked Questions The fee waiver only applies when the parent or guardian has their own application in the system.
Minors must meet the same eligibility standards as adults: U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent resident status, or citizenship in a country with a Global Entry agreement. Any criminal convictions or violations of customs, immigration, or agriculture laws can disqualify an applicant.6U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Eligibility for Global Entry For younger children this rarely comes up, but teenagers with a prior record could be denied.