Minor son traveling with friends to Bonaire

[mrsreynolds4]

Hi everyone - I'm never on this board because I rarely travel... I just hang out in G&L on the H&G board...

My 14 year old son is traveling to Bonaire (Dutch Caribbean) with friends later this summer though. I'm having a hard time finding an 'official' letter of authorization form to send with him. I called the security agency for the island, and have their requirements, but am getting conflicting info for who actually determines if he can leave the USA.

Does anyone have experience with this? Calling the State Dept has been frustrating, at best.

TIA for your help.

[expatpumpkin]

The people who will decide if he leaves the country are the airline crew at check in. They are responsible for checking travel documents and ensuring the passenger is legally fit for travel.

It sounds like you've already covered the issue of his passing immigration in Bonaire, so now you need to contact the airline to make sure you have the correct documents so they'll allow him to board.

[mrsreynolds4]

I just got the email response from United. She basically said she has no idea what will be required on his paperwork. Lovely.

[frlcb]

Why don't you just get a notarized letter stating that he has your permission to travel out of the country with his friends. I actually think at 14 it won't be an issue, but it is better for him to have it than not.

[basilosaurus]

Granted it's been a while, and it was pre 9/11 and pre changes in passport laws, but I traveled internationally as a minor with no note. For airline purposes an unaccompanied minor is generally under age 12.

[cricketwife]

I travel with minors yearly (I'm a teacher). We always take a notarized letter that gives permission to travel. It should be signed by BOTH parents. We've never had any trouble getting them on the plane as long as they have a passport. It's getting through immigration where we have to start pulling documents out the wazoo.

[mrsreynolds4]

Thanks for the info.

Neeps - I'll use that form - it has everything they need on Bonaire too. (I have medical consent form too.)

I just find it odd/funny that United replied that they need "nothing except the passport" when my 14yo DS would be going with a non-related adult.

His 14yo friend (E) & E's mom flew out a couple weeks ago and she needed something from her DH (E's dad) stating E could leave the country.

Heck, I needed documentation in 2004 to take my boys into Canada a few years back when we were on vacation. Their dad (my XH) wouldn't sign, so we couldn't drive through Banff Natl Park.

[frlcb]

Jul 13, 2012 12:28:41 GMT -5 mrsreynolds4 said:

Thanks for the info.

Neeps - I'll use that form - it has everything they need on Bonaire too. (I have medical consent form too.)

I just find it odd/funny that United replied that they need "nothing except the passport" when my 14yo DS would be going with a non-related adult.

His 14yo friend (E) & E's mom flew out a couple weeks ago and she needed something from her DH (E's dad) stating E could leave the country.

Heck, I needed documentation in 2004 to take my boys into Canada a few years back when we were on vacation. Their dad (my XH) wouldn't sign, so we couldn't drive through Banff Natl Park.

There is no way United would know he was traveling without a related adult. Some parents have different last names than their kids, so they can't judge based on name alone. And I agree with the pp who said by 14 they are probably not considered a minor in the flying world anymore. It also varies by country, I have traveled alone without dh overseas and never needed anything for my kids.