Parental Permission to Travel With Minors

Proper documentation is important when traveling with a child younger than 18 years of age. You should have a notarized letter giving you permission to travel with the child, documentation that grants you legal authority over her during your trip and written permission to seek medical attention in case of an emergency.

  1. Identification

    • According to the Transportation Security Administration, proper identification to pass through airport security checkpoints and board a plane include a U.S. passport or passport I.D. card, driver's license, state I.D. card, military I.D. or a foreign government-issue passport. Because custody disputes and child abduction is a concern, U.S. Customs and Border Protection says that adults traveling with children may be asked to provide relevant court documents including a copy of a birth certificate or any relevant court decisions about custody. If you and the child have different last names, documentation granting you permission to travel with the child should reflect both your name and the child's name exactly as they appear on your official form of identification.

    Notarized Letter for Travel

    • The United States Customs and Border Protection Agency recommends having a notarized letter, preferably written in English, from the child̵7;s parent not traveling or from both parents if children who are traveling with grandparents, other relatives or family friends. The letter should grant you permission to travel with the child, CBP says, and should include, ̶0;Who, What, Where, When, Why and contact information for the absent parent(s).̶1; For those who cross borders on a regular basis, CBP recommends that the letter not exceed one year.

    Permission for Medical Care

    • Obtaining emergency medical attention for a child traveling without his parent, AAA says, can be difficult in cases that are not life-threatening emergencies. A medical insurance card is not enough to ensure that you will be able to obtain medical treatment for a minor unless you also have written permission from the child's guardian granting you the right to seek treatment for injury or illness. This written permission should be in the form of a notarized letter, notes AAA, and should include the child's social security number, health insurance information and list the child's and your full legal names.

    Traveling to Mexico

    • If you plan to travel to Mexico, says suggests travel expert Helene G. Singer, president of Singer Travel, carry the child's passport and a notarized document signed by both parents. The letter should show that you have the consent of both parents or from a legal guardian to travel. While this is not, at the moment, a requirement, it was for a long time, and it̵7;s always better to be safe than sorry, Singer says. In the letter, the State Department says, include a brief explanation for why you are traveling with the child as well as dates of travel and destinations.

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