Do I need to bring birth certificates or anything?

[PrincessJasmine08]

I am 20 years old and this December I am traveling to Disney with my 15 year old sister and 15 year old cousin. Will I need any kind of documentation that my sister and cousin are allowed to travel with me? My cousin is booked on a seperate reservation, will it be okay that her mom won't be there to check her in? Do the girls need photo ID? I've never travelled with minors before, so I just want to make sure I have everything in order!

 

[msr709]

I think the kids are OK alone after 12 years old. I don't think they have to present ID since they really wouldn't have a state ID. I hope someone that's more certain can chime in and verify this. Hope you all have a good trip.

 

[ObsessedwithWDW]

I would def. call the airline just to confirm...some require birth certificates some don't for an infant atleast. Good luck!

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Okay, thanks, I will call Southwest.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

So does anyone know if I am going to have any trouble with the 15 year old checking in on her own? Since she's a minor does a parent have to be there?

 

[bavaria]

Call the airline and ask what is the age for 'unaccompanied minor'. See here for details http://airtravel.about.com/cs/safetysecurity/a/Unaccompanied.htm Some airline UM age ranges up to 15. I think that it's best to ask your airline directly what the rules are - she really isn't a UM if you are considered the travelling adult, and teens do travel alone all the time.

I started travelling the world alone at age 17, which was sometimes difficult when it came to hotels as one must be of age to rent a room (as a result I usually stayed in BandB's and such)

 

[keishashadow]

I'm a worrier, so I always carry birth certificates for everyone plus an extra photo id...why not, if you have it handy.

look forward to getting passports to make things easier.

more importantly, I'd ask the parents to give you notarized permission to authorized medical treatment, etc. in their absence. Also, have photo copies of their insurance cards.

Have a great time.

 

[mom_rules]

I don't think you will have any trouble at the airline but I agree call them.

I do think you might have problems having a 15 yr old check into a Disney hotel (I think you have to be at least 18 and have a credit card?)
You might want to get the hotel room changed to your name since you are the only adult there.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

I don't think you will have any trouble at the airline but I agree call them.

I do think you might have problems having a 15 yr old check into a Disney hotel (I think you have to be at least 18 and have a credit card?)
You might want to get the hotel room changed to your name since you are the only adult there.

Don't worry, the room is in my 22 year old sister's name. She lives in Orlando and will be meeting us there.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

For any who may have been wondering...

I just got off the phone with Southwest and the woman I spoke with said I will be fine checking the 15 year old in. It just has to be someone over the age of 18, not necessarily their parent/guardian. I also don't need any birth certificates or proof that I am allowed to take them. However, my aunt has a notary so I might get notarized letters saying I am allowed to take them. We live in Cincinnati but are flying out of the Columbus airport (about 90 minutes away) so if there was a problem checking in we would be sunk, there's no way the girls' moms could get there in time to fix the problem. So, to be on the safe side I want to be prepared.

 

[bavaria]

Good for you for being sensible and planning ahead - I doubt that you'll have any issues.

 

[bavaria]

Good for you for being sensible and planning ahead - I doubt that you'll have any issues.

Well, that made me sound old to a 20 yo, I'll bet!!

 

[tracys2cents]

Someone trusted back home should ALWAYS have a xerox copy of your drivers license, your birth certificate, any important papers , when you are traveling. I give my sister my CC card numbers so I can report them instantly if lost or stolen, etc.

Look at the poor people who were traveling during Katrina.....caught with nothing, maybe stranded, everything floating away, hotels locked up....they need certain information available at a moment's notice. BE PREPARED!

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Well, that made me sound old to a 20 yo, I'll bet!!

Nah! You don't sound old!

 

[n2mm]

Have you checked with your DMV about the girls getting IDs. WE travel with our grandson by himself often. Since he was 6 (now 12) we took him to WDW without his parents 1-2 times a year. Our state, WV, will issue official picture IDs for children. It's a program that has been around for many years (at least 6). You register your child with your local DMV and they issue a picture ID (good for 2 years) and cost $10, then if you child is ever lost or abducted, their information is in a database with his fingerprint. We have also insisted that grandson have his ID with him when flying. He has been an AP holder for six years, so having a picture ID is good for identifying himself. He still uses it when flying and TSA accepts it when going through security. We also get a signed letter from his "mom" saying that we have her permission to seek medical care for him during an illness or emergency -- plus she gives us his medical care. I'm amazed that more states don't issue state IDs for children like they do here in West Virginia -- plus my grandson loves having his own picture ID. It only has his name, picture, age, county, state and finger print on the back (no street address). Just a thought!

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Have you checked with your DMV about the girls getting IDs. WE travel with our grandson by himself often. Since he was 6 (now 12) we took him to WDW without his parents 1-2 times a year. Our state, WV, will issue official picture IDs for children. It's a program that has been around for many years (at least 6). You register your child with your local DMV and they issue a picture ID (good for 2 years) and cost $10, then if you child is ever lost or abducted, their information is in a database with his fingerprint. We have also insisted that grandson have his ID with him when flying. He has been an AP holder for six years, so having a picture ID is good for identifying himself. He still uses it when flying and TSA accepts it when going through security. We also get a signed letter from his "mom" saying that we have her permission to seek medical care for him during an illness or emergency -- plus she gives us his medical care. I'm amazed that more states don't issue state IDs for children like they do here in West Virginia -- plus my grandson loves having his own picture ID. It only has his name, picture, age, county, state and finger print on the back (no street address). Just a thought!

That's a great idea! Both the girls have their temporary driving permits since they are 15 1/2. These look just like drivers licenses with name, address, etc. I will have them bring those and since my aunt is a notary I will have notarized letters that I am in charge of them and their medical care.

 

[ObsessedwithWDW]

I posted earlier on this thread that we were told on Southwest that we needed a birth certificate and I just got home and they never asked for it. SO whatever policy you hear I would play it safe be prepared but odds are you will not be asked.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

I posted earlier on this thread that we were told on Southwest that we needed a birth certificate and I just got home and they never asked for it. SO whatever policy you hear I would play it safe be prepared but odds are you will not be asked.

I hate it how when you call for info. you are told different things depending on who you talk to. I will definitely have both girls birth certificates with me. I am mainly worried about my cousin who is on her own reservation checking in without a parent present.