A permission letter to take child to doctor allows someone other than a parent or legal guardian to authorize medical treatment for a child, senior citizen or other person mentioned in the letter. It’s a very important document if the primary caregiver is out of town or otherwise not available to authorize treatment.
Medical Treatment
Authorization for medical treatment for a child or other individual can only be given by the lawful guardian of the person. This type of letter may also be given to a specific doctor at an assisted living facility where an elderly person resides who is under the care of a legal guardian.
This permission letter is usually written for an individual who is at least 18 years of age, and it is not recommended to write an authorization letter to a school or day care center because the legal guardian may not have control over which person gives authorization for treatment.
Legal Guardian
If there are any treatments that are not acceptable to the legal guardian, these need to be mentioned in the letter. It is also recommended that the letter have an expiration date.
Regular Caregiver
In some cases, this type of letter is routinely given to a nanny, babysitter or other regular caregiver, so if the occasion arises, the child will not need to wait for medical treatment.
In any case, a medical authorization letter should only be given to someone whom the legal guardian trusts.
Temporary Caregiver
If the temporary caregiver doesn’t have written permission to authorize treatment, the child may have to wait until the legal guardian returns to get proper treatment. If the treatment is urgent this could endanger the life of the child.
The permission letter should be addressed to a specific doctor or hospital where treatment will be sought.
If this information isn’t known, the letter can be addressed To Whom It May Concern. The purpose of the letter should be stated in the first sentence.
Another occasion where a permission letter may be needed is if a child is traveling with friends or on a school trip where the legal guardian is not present.
It will give a member of the other family, a teacher or other chaperone legal permission to make medical decisions for a child.
Required Forms?
Before writing a permission letter, the legal guardian should check with their family doctor or the child’s school to find out if there are any required forms that need to be filled out and signed by the parent or legal guardian.
It is also recommended for the legal guardian or parent to check if there are any legal requirements in their state that need to be fulfilled in order for the authorization to be effective.
The letter must contain:
- The names and addresses of the legal guardian and the person to whom the authorization is being given
- The names and birth dates of all children involved
- The purpose of the letter and giving medical treatment authorization
Some medical consent forms may contain the following points, but they are not required to create a legal document:
- The lawful guardian has no court orders that prevent him or her from conferring the power of medical authorization upon another individual.
- The guardian may give a list of treatments such as transportation by ambulance, x-rays, medication, anesthesia or others that are allowed.
- The letter may state the reason why the authorization is being given to someone else.
- The letter may state that the authorization is being given freely and not under pressure, threat, or payments from any agency.
- Any special health issues the child may have
Below is a permission letter to take child to doctor. It should be written in formal business-letter style and notarized or witnessed if required. The original can be given to the temporary caregiver, and a copy should be kept by the legal guardian.
Sample Permission Letter To Take Child To Doctor
Your Name
Your Address
City, State, Zip Code
DATE
RE: Permission Letter
To [Name of Doctor]:
I, [Name of Legal Guardian], am the female child listed below’s legal guardian. I offer [Name, Address, and Phone Number of Temporary Caregiver] permission and agree to authorizing medical treatment for [Full Name of Child] and [Date of Birth].
This authorization is valid from [DATE] to [DATE] and will end on [DATE].
Signature DATE
Your Name
Signature of Witness or Notary (if required by the state) DATE
Name of Witness
Simple Permission Letter for Grandparents to Take Child to Doctor
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[Doctor’s Name]
[Doctor’s Clinic/Hospital Name]
[Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Subject: Permission Letter for Grandparents to Take Child to Doctor
Dear [Doctor’s Name],
I am writing this letter to grant permission to my child’s grandparents, [Grandparent 1’s Name] and [Grandparent 2’s Name], to take my child, [Child’s Full Name], to your clinic/hospital for a medical appointment on [Date] at [Time]. As their parents, my spouse and I are unable to accompany our child due to unavoidable circumstances.
To ensure a smooth visit and proper care for my child, I authorize my child’s grandparents to:
- Provide medical history and any relevant information to the doctor or medical staff.
- Consent to any necessary medical procedures, tests, or treatments as deemed necessary by the doctor.
- Obtain and discuss any medical advice, prescriptions, or recommendations from the doctor.
- Receive and sign any required documents or forms on my behalf.
Furthermore, I acknowledge that the grandparents have the authority to make decisions regarding any unforeseen medical situations that may arise during the appointment, provided that it is in the best interest and well-being of my child.
Please do not hesitate to contact me directly at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address] if you require any additional information or have any concerns regarding my child’s health or the appointment.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Your Name]
[Child’s Parent/Guardian]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a permission letter to take a child to the doctor?
Answer: A permission letter is a document that gives legal authorization for someone to take a child to a medical appointment.
2. Who writes a permission letter for a child to see a doctor?
Answer: A parent or legal guardian of the child typically writes the permission letter.
3. What information should be included in a permission letter for a child to see a doctor?
Answer: The letter should include the child’s name, the name of the person taking the child to the appointment, the date of the appointment, and the name and address of the medical facility. It should also include the signature of the parent or legal guardian.
4. Is a permission letter for a child to see a doctor legally binding?
Answer: A permission letter is not legally binding, but it does serve as a written record of the parent or legal guardian’s authorization for the child to receive medical treatment.
5. How long does a permission letter for a child to see a doctor remain valid?
Answer: A permission letter for a child to see a doctor is typically only valid for a specific date or range of dates. If the parent or legal guardian wants the letter to be valid for an extended period, they should specify this in the letter.
6. Can a permission letter for a child to see a doctor be used for other medical treatment?
Answer: It depends on what the letter says. A general permission letter may be used for other medical treatment but it is better to have a specific permission letter for each type of medical treatment.