Don't wanna be arrested for kidnapping

[junebugTN]

We're flying to Disney in March, and my 10 year old is taking her best friend. They're SO excited! Should we be prepared to show anything at the airport to prove we have her parents' permission to take her out of state?

I apologize if this has been asked before - I'm not having much luck finding info here or on the TSA site or by Googling this a.m. Might just need more coffee, though.

Thank you!
June

 

[tkldisney]

No, you don't need to show anything. We have taken our niece with us and one of her friends. Because they are under 18, they won't be asked to show any ID.
I would get a notarized letter from her parents giving you permission for any medical treatment if necessary. You can go to any bank for notarizing something. We always did this for my niece when she was little, but never needed it.

 

[junebugTN]

Thank you for the advice, tkldisney. The notarized letter for medical treatment is a great point! I was afraid that there would be important things like this that I wouldn't think of. I really appreciate the help!

June

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Absolutely agree with tkldisney.

When we took my nephew my SIL gave us a "permission slip" as well as copies of their insurance card in the event he needed medical care.

 

[dburg30]

As stated you dont 'need' it, but most people will get something that says the child is allowed to be with them and they are allowed to make medical decisions while in their care. And the insurance info / cards are a great idea also. Having it notorized is a great idea.

 

[krissyh]

I have taken my DN15 on vacation with me before and will be again this month.
I have her mother give me:
1. A notarized letter stating that she has her parents
permission to travel with me.
2. A copy of her birth certificate (not needed for plane, but I
like to have it)
3. A copy of her medical insurance card.

 

[clkelley]

Also, if the child has any medical issues such as allergies, you need to know about that, and make sure you have all possible phone numbers for the parents. In a stressful situation, the child may not remember them.

 

[junebugTN]

Thank you for the great advice. I was so focused on the FUN stuff that I didn't even think about the important things like medical cards, etc. I really appreciate these suggestions!

June

 

[dburg30]

I'm sure lots and lots of people take relative children and never think about these things. Glad you came and asked and got some good advice! Before hanging out here, that hadnt crossed my mind, but it makes perfect sense. Would be horrible to have some medical issue and be asked if you are their parents or guardian and not be allowed to answer yes legally. And in your case, not even a relative, so really good idea

 

[Esteri]

I think it's the US Immigration site that has a form for minors traveling out of the country without both parents. It's basically a permission slip notarized by the parents that the child is supposed to be with you. As I remember it - it was general enough that it could be used for domestic travel. If you felt you needed something like this.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

how would they even know the child isnt theirs? even people who get re-married dont change the kids name.

 

[backyardponder]

When we took our granddaughter's 9 year old friend with us to VB last year, the permission slip I had the parents sign read: "We give XXX or XXX permission to obtain emergency medical care for our daughter, XXX". We didn't get it notarized, although I think that's a good idea. Note the use of the word "or" in the permission slip...don't use the word "and" unless you really mean it.

TSA never asked us anything about having permission to take the girls with us. The did, however, ask the girls their names, compared them to their boarding pass. They also chatted with them...probably to make sure they weren't nervous or in trouble. Seemed to me to be a good screening process.

 

[dburg30]

how would they even know the child isnt theirs? even people who get re-married dont change the kids name.

As pretty much everyone has stated, they wont need it to travel with them. But almost everyone has said it's a very good idea to have some sort of document allowing them to make calls on medical treatment and such.

 

[Esteri]

TSA never asked us anything about having permission to take the girls with us. The did, however, ask the girls their names, compared them to their boarding pass. They also chatted with them...probably to make sure they weren't nervous or in trouble. Seemed to me to be a good screening process.

You've reminded me of a humorous story... Our family went to Costa Rica for vacation, and to visit my husband's family. We traveled separately as I had to stay longer for business. DS was about 5 or 6 at the time.

Coming back into the US DH and DS are going through passport control, DH has the notarized form from me and duly presents it. The passport control officer stands up looks DS in the eye and says "Who's your father?" our normally gregarious, talkative DS stands there quietly thoughtful. DH is expecting an answer like "God". The officer tries again, "Where's your father?" (DH is still expecting "God".) DS just gets more thoughtful. DH knows he can't look nervous, or coach DS or anything. So he looks at the officer and gently suggests "Try 'Daddy'?". Ah. "Where's your daddy?" And a little finger comes up to point at DH. "Thank you sir, you may go."

We taught DS that "father" and "daddy" meant the same thing after that.
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