Advise needed for taking a friend

[wayneg]

Not often I ask the questions

Next Easter we are taking DS's best friend with us, they will both be 13, anyone done this recently, anything I need to know? any special forms I need to get his parents to sign?
I did a search and only threads I could find were from about 2 years ago and they said just get parents to sign a letter giving concent for medical needs.
Any advise would be appreciated.
Wayne

 

[CoralCayTownhome]

Wow Wayne - I thought you were the master when it came to all things Disney/Florida!

Think you may need something from his parents to state that you are authorised to take him out of the UK and into USA - you know what the immigration guys can be like The medical form is also a must - god forbid anything should happen.

I haven't dared take any of my kids friends yet (mind you they are only 7 & 11) but DD has travelled out of the UK with her gymnastic coaches and it was really just the medical and authorisation forms we needed to complete.

 

[Cinderella2006]

Just repeating what has already been said really. I was bought up by my Nan and later on in life my Aunty and Uncle; they took me to Florida many times when i was younger. They did not have any parental rights over me and always had to obtain permission from my parents and a written letter allowing me to recieve medical care if needed. The last time i went with them (July 2000) they were questioned by Immigration, this was a first, cant remember exactly what was asked but i know they asked why i had a different surname to the rest of the party and if i had permission from my parents to be travelling. It was very embarrassing! We had to produce documents but my parents were never rang.

 

[Disney owl]

Just to confirm what others have said..

We took eldest DS girlfriend with us when they were 16. We had 1 letter from her mum (i also took photocopies with me) which gave both me & my husband. (Our full names were in the letter,) permission to take her daughter out of the country & to give consent to any medical treatment needed.

I offered the letter at immegration but they declined to read it.

She also had her own travel insurance & I had details of that too.

 

[wayneg]

Thanks for the replies, found a few wesbites with wordings similar to what I think I need, will take bits from each and get his parents to fill in and sign.