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Visas & Travel Documents

In an era of heightened global security, many foreign countries are revising their passport issuance and visa procedures as well. Laura Tischler, a spokesman for the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the U.S. Department of State advises families: "Contact the embassy of your destination country or study the Consular Information Sheets provided at http://travel.state.gov to find out what that country's requirements will be in terms of documentation, in order to bring a child into the country."

As one of our editors and her son discovered while checking in for an American Airlines flight to Cancun, Mexican law requires that if only one parent or non-custodial adult(s) is accompanying a minor under 18 into Mexico, he/she must bear a notarized Permission to Travel Letter from the child's other parent(s) or guardian(s) granting permission to enter Mexico with the child, including the dates of travel, the accompanying adult's name, contact information, and a notarized signature.

All the airlines follow this protocol. The US Airways website confirms that they enforce this during the check-in process with the posted rule: "If adult passengers do not have the proper documents, as defined by the U.S. Department of State guidelines, boarding is denied in order to comply with international regulations and the foreign immigration process."

In another incident concerning a press trip to Brazil, FTF's staff learned that some countries require a notarized original copy of the Permission to Travel Letter before even accepting a visa application for minors. Many countries also require that the authorization notes are in the national language of the country and notarized and authenticated by the nation's embassy or consulate. For information on the requirements for travel to a specific country by an American citizen, visit www.travel.state.gov and navigate to the International Travel Information page.