When a child under the age of 17 is sent to study in Canada, the Canadian government requires that an adult be appointed to be their "custodian". The Custodian agrees and is legally obligated to look after the child's welfare while they are studying. 

The Canadian government defines a Custodian as, "a responsible adult, who is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, who will take care of and support the minor child. A custodian is optional for minors 17 years of age and older, but an officer can request one on a case-by-case basis."

In order to appoint a Custodian, you must send a Custodian Declaration Form along with the minor's study permit. You can find the Custodian Declaration form here!

The parents of the child need to sign the second page in front of a notary public in their home country. If there is only one parent alive, or the child is being looked after by a Guardian, it would be useful to attach some explanation as to why there are not two parents. This letter must accompany the child when they are travelling into Canada. 

If both parents are not residing in the same country, it would be advisable for each parent to sign the second page of a different Custodian Declaration Form and each have it notarized separately. You may also want to consider attaching a letter explaining why the signatures of the parents are not on the same page. In this situation, both signed and notarized documents must be present with the child when they are travelling to Canada.

The Custodian needs to sign the first page of the Custodianship Declaration Letter in front of a Canadian notary public. Please note, a child studying in Canada for more than 6 months must apply for a study permit before entering Canada. 

There are other requirements to keep in mind when signing this Custodianship Declaration Letter and it is advisable to consult an immigration specialist. 

Notary-toronto.ca has extensive experience notarizing Custodianship Declaration Letters. Click on the buttons above to book your appointment online today! You can also send us a message using the form below.