Why might schools require notarized travel authorizations for minors on trips?

Schools often require notarized travel authorizations for minors to ensure that students have their parents' or guardians' explicit permission to travel, especially when engaging in school-sponsored trips. This notarization serves as a formal verification of the consent, providing an added layer of security and trust. By requiring a notary, the school verifies that the signature on the authorization is indeed that of a parent or guardian, who has the legal authority to make such decisions for the minor.

This process is particularly important given that minors cannot legally give consent on their own for certain activities, and schools must take appropriate measures to protect the well-being of the students. The authority of a notary can help prevent issues related to parental abduction and ensure that the trip is conducted in a safe and organized manner, following all legal protocols.