How to Make a Permission Slip

Co-authored by Catherine Palomino, MS

Last Updated: May 2, 2019

If you are planning to lead a trip with children, you’ll need to know how to make a permission slip to be signed by each child’s parent or guardian. You may also need to make permission slips for other things, atypical classroom activities, or for a child to retake an exam. Luckily, permission slips aren’t too hard to make! By including all the necessary details, as well as a space for the parent or guardian's signature and any necessary contact information, you will be able to proceed with your activity with peace of mind.^{[1]
X
Research source}

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Writing a Standard Permission Slip

1
Use a word-processing program on your computer. You can type up your permission slips using a program like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or Pages. For most cases, use a clear and standard font such as Times New Roman or Arial in size 11 or 12.
2
Include all of the relevant details for the activity. Answer all the questions that pertain to the specific activity. These could include: who, what, when, where, why, how much, as well as the means of transportation. This information, which summarizes the trip, should be at the top of the document. Here is an example of how these questions can be answered in the permission slip:^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Who: Mrs. Tucker’s English class
- What: The class will be taking a trip to the Alberta Street Library.
- When: 8:30 am - 11:30 am, Friday, May 10th, 2019
- Where: The Alberta Street Library
- Why: The class will be going to take a tour of the library.
- Cost: No cost
- Means of Transportation: We will take a school bus.
- Include the contact information for your school so they can be contacted with any questions.
Advertisement
3
Create a line for the parent or guardian to give explicit permission. You need to have a statement where the parent or guardian writes that they give permission for their child to take the trip. Here is an example of this line: I, (parent or guardian’s name), give permission for my child, (child’s name), to attend the field trip to (location of field trip) with (organization or adult’s name who is leading the trip).
4
Include space for medical details. If a child has specific allergies or a medical condition, or if the trip is over an extended period of time, include space for the parent or guardian to give information about allergies and medical conditions.
- Write this as, “Relevant Allergies/Medical Conditions:_________.”
5
Add an emergency contact option. Create a line for an emergency contact phone number on the slip. This is the person that can be called if something happens to the child and their parent or guardian can't be reached.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- You can write "Emergency Contact Name: _________" and "Emergency Contact Phone Number: _________."
6
Ask for the parent or guardian's signature. Perhaps the most important part of the permission slip is the parent or guardian’s signature. At the bottom of all the information about the trip, the parent or guardian needs to sign the paper! Write “Parent or Guardian Signature: _________” at the bottom of the slip.^{[4]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making Alterations to the Standard Slip Format

1
Include information about alternative activities. You may want to include information about alternative activities, in case a parent or guardian does not want their child to participate in the activity. For example, if the parent or guardian does not want their child to go on a trip, what will the child do instead? If there is an in-class activity that involves eating cake, what can a child do or eat if they are not permitted to have cake?
2
Give instructions on how to pay. If the activity requires the parent or guardian to give money, include both the cost as well as how the cost can be paid. For example, you can write, “Please send cash or check to school with your child. Checks can be made payable to (institution or teacher’s name).”^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Also, include the deadline that the cost needs to be paid by, if it is different than the date of the activity or field trip.
3
Invite chaperones. If the trip requires chaperones, include an option for parents to volunteer. Ask for the parents’ contact information so you can reach out before the trip. Provide a date where you will contact the parent to let them know.
4
Leave space for comments. At the bottom of the permission slip, you can write “Special Comments or Instructions: _________.” This gives the parent or guardian space to include anything that you may not have explicitly asked for.
5
Frame the slip as a letter. You can also write permission slips in a letter format. Start the slip with “Dear (parent or guardian)”. Use a friendly tone, include all relevant details in sentence format, and close the letter with a comment that invites further communication. For example, you can write, “If you have any questions or would like further information, don't hesitate to reach out.”