Taking a trip out of the country requires a great deal of planning and preparation, especially when it comes to making sure that you have the appropriate documents for travel. When you add children to the process, it becomes even more complicated. Different scenarios will require different types of documentation. Whether you are traveling with your own children or with children who belong to someone else, or are sending your children on a trip with others, the procedure will go a lot more smoothly if you are properly prepared.
Necessary Documents for All Children
Children of all ages, including infants, are required to have the same documentation as adults when traveling out of the country. In most cases this includes a passport and any other paperwork required by the particular country you will be visiting. There are some exceptions, such as closed-loop cruises, where a birth certificate and ID card will suffice; however, it is important to find out ahead of time exactly what will be needed so that there are no surprises along the way, which of course is one of the many times your travel agent can be an invaluable source.
Letters of Parental Consent
More and more children nowadays are traveling with one parent, grandparents, relatives, friends, and even school groups. Because of the growing number of custody disputes, child abductions, and the exploitation of children, Customs and Border Protection strongly recommends carrying a note of permission from one or both parents. In fact, this letter or form is mandatory in many countries. A consent to travel letter should acknowledge that your child has permission to travel out of the country, who they will be traveling with, and must be signed by the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and notarized. Other information may also be necessary. Helpful consent forms can be found on the internet. Your child’s original birth certificate or a certified copy will also be needed in some cases.
- Child Traveling with One Parent/Guardian Who Has Sole Custody
If you have sole custody of the child you are traveling with, a consent letter is not needed but you may be asked to show a court order as proof of your custody rights. However, if the non-custodial parent who is not traveling with your child has some visitation rights, it is strongly suggested that a consent letter be signed by that parent. If the birth certificate names two parents, and one parent is deceased, you may be asked to show the death certificate. - Child Traveling with One Parent/Guardian Who Does Not Have Sole Custody
If you as a parent have joint custody along with the other parent of your child, a travel consent letter must be signed by the parent not traveling with the child. - Child Traveling with an Organization/Group or Anyone Who is not a Legal Guardian
Whether your child is going on a school trip or traveling with relatives or friends, a travel consent letter must be signed by everyone not traveling with the child who has the legal right to make decisions on behalf of the child. If only one parent is authorized to make legal decisions, a copy of the court order showing custody rights must be carried. If the other parent is deceased, you may also be required to have the death certificate with you.
Medical Authorization Letter
Medical care is definitely a concern for parents when their children travel. If your child will be traveling with anyone other than yourself or another legal guardian, it will be necessary to sign a medical consent agreement giving permission for the person supervising your child to authorize medical care in case of an emergency. In regard to medical insurance, you should not assume that your policy will cover your child no matter where he/she travels. Many insurance programs, such as Medicaid, do not provide coverage outside the United States. It is imperative that you find out if your policy applies, and whether or not it covers foreign hospital emergency visits or evacuation if necessary. If not, you may want to purchase a separate policy for the trip from your travel agent.
Quick Checklist:
- Passport
- Other appropriate documentation required by country
- Birth certificate
- Parental consent letter (if applicable)
- Medical authorization form (if applicable)
- Insurance card
- Death certificate (if applicable)
