Children's Passports and ID for Travel from Sweden
Updated 3 min read
It happens more often than parents expect: a child's passport, issued a few years ago when they were younger and change faster, has quietly expired, or a check-in agent asks a question about parental consent that no one thought to prepare for. Both are avoidable with a check well before departure day, rather than a scramble at the Arlanda check-in desk.
This guide points you to what to verify and where the official guidance lives — we're not the authority on passport or consent law, but knowing what to check and who to check it with saves a departure morning from turning into a crisis.
Check the passport expiry date early
Children's passports are typically issued for a shorter validity period than an adult's, precisely because their appearance changes faster — which means a passport that felt recently issued can be closer to expiry than a parent assumes. Check the date as soon as a trip is booked, not the week before, since renewal can take time depending on where you're applying from.
Some destinations also require a passport to be valid for a set period beyond your travel dates, not just valid on the day you fly — check your destination country's specific entry requirements alongside the expiry date itself.
Consent when travelling with one parent
If a child is travelling with only one parent, or with a relative who isn't a parent, some countries and some airlines expect a signed consent letter from the other parent or from both parents, sometimes with specific wording or notarisation. This varies by destination and by carrier, so it's worth confirming with both the airline and the authority for wherever you're travelling to or from.
For guidance on what Swedish authorities expect around this, Polisen — the Swedish police — publishes information on travel documents and consent for children, and is the right starting point rather than relying on general advice from elsewhere.
Keep copies of whatever documents you've prepared — a consent letter, a birth certificate if the surnames differ, contact details for the parent who isn't travelling — together with the passports, rather than packed in checked luggage. If anything is questioned at check-in, having it to hand is what turns a worrying conversation into a short one.
On the day: documents first, then the ride
Keep the passports and any consent paperwork in a bag you carry, not in checked luggage, and check it once more before you leave home. If you're booking a transfer to Arlanda, choose a pickup time that works back from your airline's check-in and bag-drop deadlines, with extra margin if you're travelling with young children.
If a document problem means the trip has to move, tell us early: cancelling more than 12 hours before pickup is free, and changing the time on the same day and route is free, subject to a car being available.
What every Förare booking includes
The fixed price you see before booking is the price on your receipt — 6% VAT included, whole car, not per person.
- Flight tracked — pickup follows your live arrival
- 45 minutes free waiting on every pickup, from your driver's confirmed arrival
- No terminal fee
- No surge pricing, ever
- Free cancellation up to 12 hours
Questions people ask before booking
How long are Swedish children's passports valid for?
Typically shorter than an adult passport, since children's appearance changes faster. Check the expiry date on the actual document rather than assuming a recent-feeling issue date means plenty of time is left.
Do I need a consent letter to travel with my child alone?
It depends on your destination and sometimes your airline — some require written consent from the other parent. Check with Polisen and your airline directly well before travel.
What if I discover a problem the day before my flight?
Contact the relevant passport office or Polisen as soon as you notice — options narrow the closer you get to departure, so earlier is always better if there's any doubt.
Can I still book my Arlanda transfer if travel plans might change?
Yes — cancel more than 12 hours before your booked pickup for a full refund, so a documentation issue that delays or changes your trip doesn't cost you anything on the transfer side.
Where can I check the exact rules for Sweden?
Polisen publishes current guidance on passports and travel consent for children directly on its own site — that's the most reliable source for Sweden specifically.
Does a baby need its own passport?
Generally yes, when travelling abroad — check the current requirements with Polisen, since the rules and processing times are theirs, not ours.
Book your ride to Arlanda
Enter the address and you will see the price for the whole car before anything is paid. No account needed.
- One fixed price for the whole car, 6% VAT included, shown before you pay.
- Your driver's name, number and registration plate arrive before pickup.
- Cancel free of charge more than 12 hours before pickup, refunded in full.
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