Documents for children travelling to Indonesia

Every child travelling to Indonesia should carry their own passport, with names matching the booking. When only one parent travels, or a grandparent takes the children, a signed consent letter and copies of identity documents are a sensible precaution. Entry rules can be updated, so check the official immigration pages before you fly.

This guide sits within the Malaysian departure planning hub, which gathers the questions that come before the holiday itself.

Which documents does each child need?

Start with the passport, because everything else depends on it. Check the expiry date against your return date, not against today, and look at the blank pages as well. The adult guide on passport validity and onward ticket checks sets out the same checks in more detail.

Then gather the booking proof: flight confirmations, the first night’s hotel and any ferry tickets. Put the files for every family member in one shared folder on a parent’s phone, and save an offline copy.

Finally, complete the arrival declaration for each traveller through the official portal. The arrival card glossary entry explains the form, and the guide on fake arrival card sites helps you avoid copies.

What changes by who is travelling?

Who travels with the child	What to prepare
Both parents	Passports, booking proof, and a birth certificate copy if you have one
One parent	The above, plus a signed consent letter from the other parent with a copy of their identity document
Grandparents or another adult	Consent letters from both parents, identity copies, birth certificates and contact numbers
Adults with a different surname from the child	Documents that show the family link, such as a birth certificate copy

The consent letter is a precaution, and requirements differ between airlines. Ask the airline what it wants to see, and keep the answer in writing.

What else should a family check?

Look at the age rules for hotels and attractions, since they differ by property. The guide on child age policies and fees explains what to ask before you pay.

Bring a small medical note if a child takes regular medication, and carry the medicine in its labelled pack. Keep a printed list of emergency contacts and the hotel address in the day bag. If your child is a light sleeper or travels badly, plan arrival times with the guide to choosing arrival times.

What should I ask the airline and agency?

• What does the airline want to see for a child travelling with one parent or a grandparent?
• Are infant and child seats, bassinets or meals confirmed in writing?
• Who holds the booking references if the phone battery fails?
• Does the first hotel allow early check-in for a tired child?

When is it better to sort this earlier?

If the trip falls in a busy school holiday, ask these questions well ahead of the peak, because airline staff answer faster before the queues build. A passport renewal also takes time, so start it as soon as you notice a short expiry date.

Once the documents are clear, you can turn to the fun part, such as where to stay in Bali with young children.