How to get a parent's signature for a minor
Coaches, camp directors, tutors and schools all need the same thing: a parent or guardian's signature on a form about a child, before the child shows up. Paper forms come back crumpled, half-filled or not at all. Here's what a good consent form asks for, who should sign it, and how to collect signatures from a whole roster without chasing paper.
Updated November 5, 2026 · 3 min read
Why the parent signs
In most US states, people under 18 can generally get out of contracts they sign, so a child's own signature gives a business little to rely on. That's why permission slips, enrollment agreements and medical consents ask a parent or legal guardian to sign for the child. How far a parent's signature goes, especially on a waiver of a child's injury claims, varies a lot from state to state, so have a local lawyer review any waiver you rely on.
- One parent or both? Usually one parent or guardian is enough. Ask for both when the activity is high-risk, when parents share custody, or when your lawyer advises it.
- A guardian, not a relative. Grandparents, older siblings and family friends usually can't consent unless they're the legal guardian.
- Once the child turns 18, they sign for themselves.
What the form should ask for
- The child's full name and date of birth.
- The parent or guardian's name, relationship to the child, phone and email.
- An emergency contact who isn't the signer, and any allergies, medications or conditions staff should know.
- Separate yes or no choices for anything optional, like photos on social media or riding in a staff vehicle.
- The signature, the printed name and the date signed.
Starting from scratch? The field trip permission slip, sports team waiver and summer camp waiver templates open straight into SignMaster.
Set it up in SignMaster
Make the form a template once, then send it per family or share one link. Each send is an envelope: one or more documents going to one or more signers.
- 1
Create the template
Upload your form and add a role called Parent or guardian. Add a second role if both parents sign, and one for your director if they countersign.
- 2
Add the fields
A required Text field for the child's name, a Date field for date of birth with the latest date set to today, a Dropdown for relationship, Phone and Email fields, Checkbox fields for each optional consent, then Signature and Date signed.
- 3
Choose how families get it
Send it to one family by name and email, or turn the template into a public link: the parent opens it, fills it and signs first, then it goes to anyone else on the template in order.
- 4
Share the link
Put it in the welcome email, text it to the team, or print the QR code on the sign-up table. You can require a code emailed to the parent before the form opens, and cap the number of responses.
- 5
Check who's done
On paid plans, the template's Responses tab shows every family's answers in one table, ready to export for your check-in list.
Either parent, not both
Sending to two parents but only need one signature? Make the slot a signer group with Let any one of several people sign, add both parents, and whichever signs first completes it.
Families who'd rather read in Spanish or another language can get the emails and signing page in any of 6 languages. Parents who turn up without a form can sign on your tablet with Sign in person.
Questions? Answers.
Can a parent sign a permission slip electronically?
Generally yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act, a signature can't be denied legal effect just because it's electronic. Check any rules from your school district, league or insurer.
Do both parents need to sign?
Usually one parent or legal guardian is enough. Some programs ask for both for high-risk activities or shared custody. Follow your lawyer's or insurer's advice.
Is a waiver signed by a parent enforceable?
It depends on the state and the activity. Some states enforce parental waivers of a child's injury claims and others largely don't. Have a local lawyer review yours.
How do I collect signatures from a whole team at once?
Share one public link from the template. Each family fills and signs their own copy, and every response lands in the template's Responses tab on paid plans.