We've very excited that my 14-year-old SD, of whom we have sole physical custody, will be taking a trip to California with a friend's family next year. The friend's mom just called to book the tickets and asked what her legal name is in case they ask for proof of ID at the airport via birth certificate. Her current legal name is actually her 3rd name, so to ID herself via birth certificate requite copies of that plus two name change certificates. This got me thinking...what else does she need? I'm thinking that because she is not traveling with either parent, it would make sense to have authorization to travel letters from both her mother and my husband but is it really necessary to get one from her mother (she hasn't had any contact from her in a year)? We'll probably also send along a copy of our insurance cards in case she needs emergency medical care. Is there anything else we should do?
If you are in a split family situation and an older child has traveled, did you need to seek permission from the other parent? Do the airlines actually check for this or is it just to satisfy the parenting agreement and do you actually ever get asked for this info?
power of attorney and medical power of attorney(possibly limited to specific dates).
My husband was pulled over by police and had no papers while traveling with two young nieces. They asked for paperwork and he had none so they called, but told him to get it.
I also could not get the niece stitches without it.
This may not be the case, but if she's traveling to California and there is any chance their trip may include a swing into Canada - she needs a passport or there could be issues at the border both ways.
Just FYI.
We've taken daughter's friends on numerous vacations with us (all within the US) and have never been asked to show any id's,etc. at the airport or anywhere else.
The main thing with the airline ticket is that is shows the legal name that is on the DL for verification purposes for adults who show id. My daughter is almost 18 and has never been asked for her id when we travel. She did start showing her DL when she got it at 16 because she was proud of it and when she travelled alone this summer.
Don't overthink it. I hope she has a great trip!
We've traveled domestically a lot with three kids and never needed birth certificates or IDs for any of them. Only adults over 18 need to show ID.
The only thing I would provide the other family with is a copy of your medical insurance card along with a signed letter giving them the authorization to make medical decisions/provide treatment (in an emergency, in case you can't be reached.)
Go ahead and call the airline to confirm but like I said, we've traveled a lot and never been asked for any paperwork re minors.
The airlines never asked for my daughter's ID when she was a minor. I just sent her health insurance card and a notarized letter authorizing the adult traveling with her to consent to emergency medical treatment.
Children under 18 do not need ID to fly domestically. If you are still concerned, contact the airline that she will be flying on for their rules. Parental permission and ID (passport) is only needed for leaving and entering the country.
Medical insurance info is good to send along on any trip.
I would get your daughter a state ID card. It will be nice to have a photo ID with her address on it. What if there is an accident and the family she is traveling with is unable to speak for her. It would be nice for her to have ID on her. That way they can get her name and be able to track you down quickly. It is my understanding that you only need both parents permission to obtain a Passport, but after that, as long as she has a ticket, she can fly anywhere with anyone. I would go a step above a letter for medical purposes. I don't think you need an attorney, but I would download a Medical Power of Attorney form that is valid in your state and grant the parents limited medical power of attorney to make decisions on behalf of your daughter if something happens. In a POA form you can give as much power or as little power as you want. But if something happens and you are flying out there, they will not be able to reach you for 5 hours and may need someone to be able to make a decision regarding treatment. I know all these scenarios sound bad, but something to think about and prepare for.
I think that permission from your husband would be enough. It's hard to say whether her mother should be involved - if there's been no contact for a year, I wouldn't think that asking her permission to travel would be the way to initiate a relationship.
It might be different if she were leaving the country, but she's not.
I would think some proof of residency might be required but check with AAA Travel if you are a member, or have the friend's family do it. Yes, she should have medical cards, a list of any medications or allergies, any restrictions (such as problem foods), and the other parents should have copies of this. They should probably be responsible for the birth certificate/name change into - a 14 year old who's excited about travel can easily misplace things.
My son traveled to Bermuda with my mother, and she just had a letter from me and not my husband. (We're married, but the airport personnel had no way of knowing that.)
What I do when my kids are traveling with family or friends is to get a medical release so they can get medical care for my kids if needed. I also type up an information sheet with the following information on it:
Name
Address
Phone number
My name and phone numbers
Dad's name and phone numbers
Insurance info (name, address, phone number, group number, policy holder name and birthdate - I DO NOT list social sec. numbers)
Pharmacy name and phone number
All doctors name and information (including dentist)
List any allergies
List all medications with dosing instructions (including OTC meds)
Any medical issues
I staple the release, the information sheet and a photocopy of their insurance card to together. I also send 2 copies. That way the adults have all the information together and just have to grab it if they need it.
It may be overkill but I would rather they have all info if needed. Hope this helps some !
I would definitely type up something about medical care and have it notarized I'm sure she will be perfectly fine and there will be no emergencies, but it will make everyone feel better if you supply something that says they can make emergency decisions for your child.
I do not think you need a birth certificate though. I'm sure the airlines won't need need anything except a photo ID. I've only had to use a BC if we were traveling with a child under 2 and we didn't buy a ticket. If she has a passport it might not be a bad idea to send it they're going to be near a border, but it's not a big deal.
My daughter is 19 and at your SD's age was flying to Boston from Los Angeles (to get to Providence to visit her friend from camp) alone. I never sent a birth certificate, she just told security she was 14. I don't know how they would verify the passenger with a birth certificate and the boarding pass. I'm pretty certain the identification for travel in the US is only required for adults.
I did send authorization to treat my daughter (with my ex-husband's authorization as well) and our insurance card. Kind of scary but she was able to fly without any issues....atleast a dozen times as a teen.
When this same friend visited us and I took her on a cruise to Mexico, a passport and a permission letter was required. Cruise lines have been pretty picky about having the other parent's permission.
A letter signed by you stating that the friend can take her to the hospital or doctor is necessary. Your signature should be notarized.
You can get a non-driving ID from the DMV if you are so inclined. Or a passport (though that's kind of expensive.)
It's true that kids don't need ID's to fly, but Homeland Security told us that when a kid starts to look older, it can cause problems when they fly without an ID. Our son is tall and older looking. He happened to be with my husband and had the same last name as him, but I could see how there might be delays and questions if he were with someone who was not a parent.
Dawn
Have you called the airline to ask what the policy on this is? I'd go there first.
I would have her take a notarized letter from your husband and a copy of the custody arrangement just in case.
Also, along with the insurance card, a notarized letter from your husband giving the adults permission to consent to any necessary medical treatment. The doctors can perform LIFE SAVING techniques to save her life, but if she's not going to die, they can't do anything else until a parent gets there. This letter will allow the adult to consent to treatment that is necessary albeit not life-threatening.
I suggest you talk to an attorney. They can draw up some legal papers giving a temporary set of priveledges to this family. They can use them for medical treatment and since they will have a court stamp they won't even be questioned.
A simple letter does not have ANY weight anymore. If you do not have a legally registered court document and your child is hurt or gets sick enough to seek medical treatment they will call a judge to order said treatment. They will not treat her no matter how many letters of permission you have signed and given to this parent. It could be their own signature. It could be a case of a kidnapped child, it could be anything and a doc/hospital is not going to take any risk. So you must do this through an attorney.
Anyone can forge an ID nowadays too so a notarized statement will probably be discounted too. Please just check with a family law attorney about this type of letter. It is a limited power of attorney that does not effect your legal rights in any way. It is dated and expires by a certain date and has a specific list of things it covers. For instance, they could not make a day trip in to Mexico with it because they would not have that authority. They could not do any sort of loans or other financial trade in her name, this would only be for certain things like medical treatment and identification issues.
You have time to still get a passport for her, which is what I would recommend for all travel. It covers all the identification bases.
In addition, yes, you and your husband, who have sole custody, should write a letter of authorization to the adult in charge, providing travel dates, your personal contact information in case of an emergency, insurance information, etc.
And Yes, do include copies of your insurance and passports. We travel a lot and separately quite often, but with our biological children, and having a passport and letter of authorization answers all questions. I have one time forgotten the letter and it was indeed a huge hassle and consumption of time as the crossing guards at the Canadian border took the time to call my husband to ensure I was not abducting the kids. Remember, it's their job to scrutinize travelers. Don't fib about age the poster below recommends. Ugh....that's terrible advice.
PM if you want the letter I write up, otherwise, juggle google travel authorization letters and you'll find templates you can down load and edit.
And blessings on you for taking in a needy soul!
Child under the age of 18 don't have to have ID to go through the airport. My 12yr old DD flys by herself but I have to go through the airport to the gate with her and I'm the only one that has to show ID at security with my gate pass. I honestly don't think any airline is going to care whom she is flying with as long as it is someone over the age of 18.
S.
