Post by sunshineandpinot on Mar 6, 2023 15:35:27 GMT -5
Through a series of last minute events, we are taking my dd's 13 year old BFF to Mexico with us for Spring Break. I'm thrilled; she's awesome, well traveled, and fits in great with our family. We're flying Southwest and we've linked her reservations to mine so she's not "unaccompanied."
I've googled to see if there could be any issues leaving the country and/or returning and none of my findings lead me to legit websites; they're all travel blogs and articles. It doesn't sound like I need to do anything though. She just needs a valid passport, which she has.
We have a connecting flight to Cancun, but coming home we're non-stop Cancun to our home airport.
I think I'll have her parents fill out a Minor Travel Consent Form and get it notarized.
Is there anything else I should do or can anyone direct me to a legit site with answers? Thanks!
ETA- I just reread my subject, it sounds so sketchy!
I have flown with my bf’s minor children out of the country several times. At that time we didn’t share a last name. I’m white, and they are Latinos so we don’t look related either. All that to say, I’ve never been asked about relation, where their parents are or for any additional documentation. Just valid passports.
Yes, her parents should absolutely send her with a notarized letter of consent that includes information such as the duration of her time outside the country, where she will be travelling with you, and their contact details. Border control will ask for it - my H took DD to the US by himself last year and was asked for the letter at customs even though both he and DD are US citizens and he is her father. He was also asked for it on his return by Canadian border control, but that might have been because he is not a Canadian citizen.
We have taken an unrelated minor out of the country to Canada in a car (that’s does sound sketchy!) who was a friend of DD. The border/customs was NBD. She had a passport and a signed note from her parents.
We took another child on a plane domesticity and her parents sent a very official looking form, with lots of information and signatures. Her dad was in the military and it was awesome.
We sent DS to Mexico with his uncle a couple years ago. We signed some fairly generic consent letter DH found online and I think a separate letter authorizing BIL to be able to get medical care if needed. We made copies so both DS and BIL had a copy of the forms to carry with them.
We’re taking DS’s friend to Aruba with us in April. He’s 14. This is a first for us so we’re having his parents get a notarized letter authorizing him to leave the country with us.
We took DS to Canada. I’m his mother but his dad and I are divorced. We had to bring the travel consent form signed and notarized by his dad with us. The border people asked for it one way but not the other. Definitely get that and bring it. They may not ask, but better to have it.
Post by goldengirlz on Mar 7, 2023 19:56:50 GMT -5
From what I understand, some countries are stricter than others. Canada, for instance, takes this issue very seriously. But it’s better to comply with the strictest documentation requirements because better safe and sorry.
A notarized minor consent travel form is good for customs. Also make sure she has medical insurance coverage and you know how to access it in case her parents can't answer calls immediately.
As an aside, I'd ask the parents if their passports are valid if they needed to travel quickly to support their child.