Required Documents For Travel With Minors
Permission To Travel Letter
A consular officer at the U.S. Office of Children's Issues (888/407-4747) verified that today many countries require a Permission to Travel letter with parents' notarized signatures, plus identification for the child (certified birth certificate or passport), and that both are essential.
Consular Information Sheets issued by the U. S. Department of State (which does not make these regulations) often carry this warning: "In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian if not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure."
Such concerns apply not only to air and land travel, but to cruise travel as well. Carnival, for example, requires the notarized Permission to Travel Letter for any children debarking in Mexico, if only on a half-day shore excursion, so it's smart to check ahead with your cruise company. Mexican Consular Officer Hebe Cue advises, "In case of weather or other cruise delay, it's better if adults have the notarized permission letter. In any case, it is required for American minors entering Mexico by air, no matter how long their stay." At Royal Caribbean, an agent interviewed about Canada-bound cruises suggested single parents or other adults traveling with a minor carry notarized documentation, "to be on the safe side."
Monica Campbell of the Canadian Tourism Commission agrees. "Canadian customs officers, who are the primary line of inspection for visitors, may require a notarized statement from both parents when they find a child under 18 traveling alone or with other adults. All carriers, including air, sea and land, can be fined for bringing people into Canada without the proper documentation."
We recommend you download FTF's sample "Permission To Travel" letter from the next page, so you can print it out, fill it in, and carry it with you on all future international travels.
Tip: Notarize several copies of the Permission to Travel Letter at the same time if you are applying for foreign visas.
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It is illegal to cross U.S. state lines with a minor without custodial parents' consent, and the age of "minors" varies across the states. However, the families within this travel community have never complained about having a problem when inviting friends of their children along on a trip, for example, so we have little experience with this issue.
Therefore, this article is for travel outside the United States, where there are clear international laws in place to prevent international child abduction.
Within the US, temporary guardians should use the same permission to travel letter as well as medical treatment authorization letter noted at the end of the article, when possible.
Keep in mind that these laws are in place to allow authorities to investigate a traveling party if they notice suspicious activity (such as children who resist going with adults). Of course, the majority of travelers will never be stopped and questioned. For most of you, if the birth parents are easily available by phone, then making a daytrip should not be a problem.
on a day trip in to the U.S.A
Please e-mail me and I woild appreciate your help.
The paperwork for vacations and short stay visits can be found at this link:
http://www.familytravelforum.com/how/advice/10545-Required-Documents-For-Travel-With-Minors.html?p=4
Thanks
Pattii
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