Documentation for kids traveling with relatives

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gavinsiu
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Documentation for kids traveling with relatives

Post by gavinsiu »

My kids are going on a trip with their aunt. Are there documentation needed so they don’t get stopped by the tsa? Perhaps a notarized letter indicating permission from both parents. Note that this is a domestic trip.
senex
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Re: Documentation for kids traveling with relatives

Post by senex »

Domestically we haven't encountered any issues. I don't recall how many times we've done it -- maybe a handful.
sailaway
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Re: Documentation for kids traveling with relatives

Post by sailaway »

I have never even heard of issues domestically. I did have a letter when I travelled internationally with my niece and nephew, but as we share a last name, no one ever asked any questions.
tibbitts
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Re: Documentation for kids traveling with relatives

Post by tibbitts »

gavinsiu wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 7:50 pm My kids are going on a trip with their aunt. Are there documentation needed so they don’t get stopped by the tsa? Perhaps a notarized letter indicating permission from both parents. Note that this is a domestic trip.
I'm not sure it matters if it's a relative or just some random person; wouldn't the issue be a non-parent vs. parent?
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gavinsiu
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Re: Documentation for kids traveling with relatives

Post by gavinsiu »

I recall if you travel out of the country and both parents are not present at the border, you have to present a noterized letter from the non-present parents. I think it has to do with preventing divorced parents from running away with their kids. I am doubtful anything is required within the US, but I will have a permission letter signed and notarired.by both parents and their birth certificate just in case you get an overly zealous TSA agent. The kids do not share a last name as the relative.
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cheese_breath
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Re: Documentation for kids traveling with relatives

Post by cheese_breath »

Not personally, but I remember when DW's daughter and SIL visited us from out of state and brought their young grandson along. The kids got sick so they took him to an urgent care, but the UC wouldn't treat him without a letter from the parents. So they took him to a hospital emergency room. They treated him, but it cost a lot more than if the UC had treated him.
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ResearchMed
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Re: Documentation for kids traveling with relatives

Post by ResearchMed »

cheese_breath wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 8:40 pm Not personally, but I remember when DW's daughter and SIL visited us from out of state and brought their young grandson along. The kids got sick so they took him to an urgent care, but the UC wouldn't treat him without a letter from the parents. So they took him to a hospital emergency room. They treated him, but it cost a lot more than if the UC had treated him.

This could be VERY important, aside from any "permission to travel without both parents".

There should definitely be a "permission to treat" for medical care, plus insurance information, something that allows the accompanying adults to authorize any necessary medical care.

It wouldn't hurt to also have a "permission to travel without both parents". This is a form that requires notarized signatures from both parents, "just in case".

How old are the children?
That can make a difference. A mid-teenager can probably speak up for themselves. A much younger child... probably n

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BuddyJet
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Re: Documentation for kids traveling with relatives

Post by BuddyJet »

gavinsiu wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 8:29 pm I recall if you travel out of the country and both parents are not present at the border, you have to present a noterized letter from the non-present parents. I think it has to do with preventing divorced parents from running away with their kids. I am doubtful anything is required within the US, but I will have a permission letter signed and notarired.by both parents and their birth certificate just in case you get an overly zealous TSA agent. The kids do not share a last name as the relative.
When we travel with our grandchildren (different last name) domestically, we do carry a medical authorization in case emergency medical treatment is necessary. Internationally, we also carry notarized parental permission but have not been asked for it.
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