"They Wouldn't Let Me Leave Panama With My Own Child!"
The airport rule trapping expat families that NO ONE tells you about
It happened on what should have been a routine departure day. Bags packed, passports in hand, and child excited for our planned trip. But at Tocumen International Airport, everything came to a grinding halt.
"We need to see an authorization letter from the other parent," the immigration officer said firmly.
Like many expat parents in Panama, I had made a critical assumption: that a valid passport would be sufficient documentation for my child to exit the country with only one parent. I was wrong, and that mistake nearly derailed our entire trip.
The Wake-Up Call
Three previous trips out of Panama in 2024 with one parent had gone smoothly, with no questions asked. But on our fourth trip, which happened to fall right after completing our Panamanian residency process, everything changed. Immigration officials at Tocumen stopped us, requesting documentation I didn't have on hand.
It happened to be a Saturday, and the Panamanian consulate in Florida - near my waiting spouse and father of said child - was closed until Monday. COPA Airlines graciously rebooked us for Wednesday at no extra charge, but we still had to wait for our luggage to be removed from the plane and scanned at Customs.
Meanwhile, I had already shut down our apartment, cleared the fridge, and locked everything up in anticipation of being gone for a while. Thankfully, we didn't have any pressing commitments waiting for us at our destination, but the experience was still deeply unsettling – being told I couldn't leave the country with my own child despite having legal custody. It was a harsh lesson in paying attention to regulations that we won't soon forget.
The Legal Requirements
What I've since learned, and what I wish local attorneys emphasized more with families seeking permanent residence, is that Panama has specific legal requirements for minors exiting the country. These requirements are based on Panama's family law regulations designed to prevent child trafficking and international abduction.
Here's what parents of minor Panama residents need to know:
Both Parents Traveling Together: Even when both parents are traveling with the minor, you may need to carry the child's original birth certificate to verify parentage - some reports say the birth certificate needs to be an apostilled original.
One Parent Traveling with the Minor: You need an apostilled authorization letter in Spanish from the absent parent permitting you to travel with the child.
Child Traveling Alone or with a Non-Parent: You need notarized apostilled permission letters from both parents.
Deceased Parent: If a parent listed on the birth certificate is deceased, you must carry a copy of the death certificate.
The requirements seem to vary in their application:
Sometimes officials want copies to keep; other times they just review originals
Sometimes they request translated documents; other times the originals suffice
Occasionally they request apostilled documents; most times originals are acceptable
The "Blanket Authorization" Solution
After our ordeal, we discovered a practical solution: a general permission letter that remains in effect until the child turns 18. This document can authorize:
Either parent to travel with the children without the other parent
The children to travel alone without either parent
While these letters cost a few hundred dollars each, they're invaluable for frequent travelers. It's a one-time investment that prevents future travel disruptions - especially for families that are quick to hop on planes separately and together.
Recommendations for Expat Families
Based on my experience, I recommend:
Keep a folder with original birth certificates and photocopies whenever traveling
Consider getting a general travel authorization letter valid until your child turns 18
Keep digital copies of all important documents in cloud storage as a backup
Arrive at the airport extra early when traveling with minors
If you have different last names from your child, be especially vigilant about carrying proper documentation
Lesson Learned
I share this experience not to alarm fellow expat parents but to prepare you. The feeling of being unable to leave with your own child is not one I'd wish on anyone. Immigration requirements might seem burdensome, but they exist to protect children from trafficking and abduction.
Local lawyers helping families obtain residency should emphasize these requirements more clearly. Many of us come from countries where crossing borders with your own children requires minimal documentation beyond passports, making this Panamanian requirement easy to overlook.
Have you had similar experiences traveling with minor residents in Panama? I'd love to hear your stories and solutions in the comments below.
This article is based on personal experience and community information. While I've referenced relevant laws, I am not a legal professional. For specific situations, particularly those involving sole custody arrangements, please consult with an immigration attorney knowledgeable in Panamanian Law.
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As a fellow Substack writer, I've gotta ask: Who did the art for this post?
Ah I see! Thanks for the details ☺️