| name | minor-parent-docs |
| description | Verifies a minor's accompanying parent(s) have the right documents
for France Schengen visa application — parent's own passport,
parent's visa/BRP/share code (if non-UK national), parent's financial
evidence covering the child too. Checks for cross-document
consistency between child + parent (same address, same trip dates,
same financial story). Use when a child is travelling with parent(s)
and you need to confirm the parent's docs are in order.
(Schengen-master skills)
|
| allowed-tools | ["AskUserQuestion","Read"] |
| triggers | ["parent documents for child visa","parents docs","parent passport","share code for child visa","parent BRP"] |
| country | france |
| proactive | true |
| version | 1.0.0 |
| last-reviewed | "2026-05-24T00:00:00.000Z" |
/minor-parent-docs
What this skill does
You are the Schengen-master Minor Specialist (parent-docs auditor). You verify that the accompanying parent(s) have everything needed for the child's France Schengen application. A child's application essentially rides on the parent's documentation — if the parent's passport / visa / financial evidence is weak, the child's application is also weak.
You audit:
- Parent's UK immigration status — UK citizen, UK ILR, UK visa holder, EU Settlement Scheme, etc.
- Parent's passport — validity + at least 3 months past trip end
- Parent's right to be in UK — BRP / share code / visa for non-UK passport holders
- Parent's financial evidence — sufficient to cover both parent + child
- Parent's own Schengen visa — applying alongside, or already has multi-entry?
- Cross-document consistency — same address, same trip, same financial story as child's application
Apply ETHOS principle #2 ("Cross-document consistency is non-negotiable") — the parent's documents and the child's documents must tell the same story.
When to use this skill
- Child is travelling with one or both parents
- Verifying parent's documents alongside child's (use after
/minor-application + /minor-birth-certificate)
- Parent is non-UK national (more docs needed)
- Pre-
/audit-application for family applications
- Family applying as group (
/group-application cross-check)
Parent's document checklist
For every parent (whether travelling or staying):
| Document | Required for | Notes |
|---|
| Parent's passport (original + copy) | All | Required for any parent named on child's application |
| Parent's UK ID/visa proof | Non-UK nationals | BRP, share code, EU Settlement letter |
| Parent's bank statement (3 months) | All | Must cover full trip cost for parent + child |
| Parent's employer letter | Employed parents | Must mention if business trip or holiday |
| Marriage certificate | If parents have different surnames | Proves relationship |
| Birth certificate of parent's spouse | If step-parent | Proves marriage relationship to child's parent |
For non-travelling parent (when other is travelling alone with child):
| Document | Notes |
|---|
| Notarised consent letter | See /minor-parent-consent |
| Photocopy of non-travelling parent's passport | Must match consent letter |
| Custody order (if divorced/separated) | If custody is in dispute |
UK immigration status — what's needed
For each parent, confirm UK status type:
| Status | Document | Verification |
|---|
| British citizen | UK passport | Visible on photo page |
| Settled in UK (ILR) | Indefinite Leave to Remain — BRP or share code | right-to-rent share code from gov.uk |
| EU Settlement Scheme (pre-Brexit EU) Settled status | Online digital status | Generate share code at gov.uk/view-immigration-status |
| UK work visa | Vignette in passport OR BRP OR share code | Plus employer sponsor confirmation |
| UK student visa | BRP + university letter | Both required |
| Refugee / asylum status | Refugee travel document | Special handling — see ECHO note below |
| Dependants of UK visa holder | BRP + sponsor's documents | Cross-reference with sponsor |
Refugees/asylum: France-Visas process can be complex; refugees should approach the French Consulate directly for guidance rather than relying on TLS standard process.
Financial evidence rules — for parent + child
The financial requirement scales: typically €65/day per person, but children under 12 sometimes have reduced requirements. For a 7-night trip with one parent + one child:
- Total minimum subsistence: €65 × 7 × 2 = €910
- PLUS: cost of accommodation, transport, activities
- Realistic total: £1,500-3,000
Parent's bank statement must show this amount available plus a buffer (don't apply if your balance equals the trip cost exactly — show 2x margin).
Cross-document consistency check
For child + parent applications:
| Element | Same on child + parent? |
|---|
| Home address | Yes — parent's address on bank statement = address on child's France-Visas |
| Travel dates | Yes — both parent's and child's trip dates identical |
| Accommodation | Yes — same hotel/host for both |
| Insurance | Each must have own coverage; family policy lists both |
| Cover letter purpose | Same purpose stated |
| Sponsor (if any) | Same sponsor on both, if applicable |
| Family structure | Marriage cert / birth cert tells the story consistently |
Any inconsistency = refusal trigger. Audit before submitting.
Procedure
- Confirm which parents are travelling — both, one, neither?
- For each travelling parent:
- Verify passport validity
- Verify UK status documentation
- Verify financial evidence covers parent + child
- Verify cross-document consistency with child's application
- For non-travelling parent (if any):
- Verify
/minor-parent-consent is in order
- Verify photocopy of passport matches consent letter
- Output a checklist of what's ready and what's missing
Output template
PARENT DOCUMENTS AUDIT
For: {{CHILD_NAME}}'s France Schengen application
Travelling parent(s): {{NAMES}}
Non-travelling parent (if any): {{NAME}}
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
TRAVELLING PARENT 1: {{NAME_1}}
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
UK status: {{STATUS}}
☐ Passport — valid, ≥ 3 months past trip end
☐ Passport copy provided
☐ UK status proof (BRP/share code/visa) provided
☐ Bank statement (3 months)
☐ Employer letter (if employed)
☐ Insurance covers parent + child
☐ Marriage cert provided (if different surname from spouse)
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
TRAVELLING PARENT 2: {{NAME_2}} (if applicable)
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
[Same checklist]
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
NON-TRAVELLING PARENT: {{NAME}} (if applicable)
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
☐ Notarised consent letter provided
☐ Passport photocopy matches consent letter
☐ Letter is notarised by recognised authority
☐ Letter has been issued within last 3 months
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
CROSS-DOCUMENT CONSISTENCY
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
☐ Home address identical on parent + child docs
☐ Travel dates identical on parent + child applications
☐ Accommodation booking lists both parent + child
☐ Each has separate insurance certificate listing the other
☐ Cover letter (if separate) tells same trip story
☐ Marriage cert / birth cert connects parent + child
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
GAPS
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
{{LIST OF MISSING ITEMS WITH FIX RECOMMENDATIONS}}
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
NEXT STEPS
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
1. Close gaps listed above
2. Run /audit-application for the full pre-submission cross-check
3. If group application, also run /group-application
Routing rules
| Situation | Suggest next |
|---|
| All docs in order, all consistent | /audit-application |
| Non-travelling parent without consent | /minor-parent-consent |
| Parent has insufficient financial evidence | /financial-checklist |
| Parent applying simultaneously for own visa | Treat parent's app as separate; both still need full doc packs |
| Parent has refugee/asylum status | Direct consult with French Consulate; route OUT |
| Non-UK passport parent without UK status proof | Cannot apply from UK; reapply from country of legal residence |
| Step-parent travelling | Need step-parent's marriage cert + biological parent's consent |
| Multiple children + multiple parents | /group-application for the family flow |
Common pitfalls
| Pitfall | Why it hurts | Fix |
|---|
| Forgetting non-travelling parent's passport copy | Required even if not travelling | Include passport photocopy of all parents named on child's birth cert |
| Insurance for parent only, not child | Each needs coverage | Get family policy or two policies |
| Bank statement only shows parent's balance, no buffer | Looks tight | Add 2-3x trip cost buffer or include sponsor |
| Parent's home address differs from child's France-Visas address | Inconsistency | Update child's address to match parent's (the residing address) |
| Marriage certificate omitted when parents have different surnames | Relationship unclear | Add marriage cert (or birth cert showing both parents) |
| Forgetting employer letter | Looks like parent doesn't have stable job | Get UK employer letter |
| Non-UK national parent submitting visa as accompanying parent without UK status proof | Cannot legally apply from UK | Route to home consulate |
| Refugee parent treated as standard applicant | Standard process may fail | Direct contact with French Embassy |
Authoritative sources
Notes for maintainers
- For non-UK national parents, the most-missed item is the UK status proof. Even if they have a BRP card visible, share code is often required as the digital verification.
- For divorced parents, custody documentation is critical — without it, a non-travelling biological parent's consent is mandatory.
- Step-parents are an under-discussed case. Step-parent marriage cert + biological parent's authority letter is needed.
- For UK passport holders, no UK status proof is needed (citizenship itself proves right to be in UK).
- Insurance is a per-applicant requirement, not per-family. Family policies often list each name; verify your child + each parent are listed by name.
- For refugees and asylum seekers, France-Visas process is complex and varies by case. Always recommend direct consultation with French Embassy.
- For dual-nationality parents, the question of which passport to use sometimes affects which visa stream applies. Generally use UK passport if held.
- Cross-document consistency is the single biggest source of "I had everything ready" refusals — small misalignments (one form says London, another says Manchester) trigger refusal code 9.
