DS flying with IL's: letter of release?

[jpeka65844]

Hey all! I know someone on here will have the answer! DH and I are going to WDW on 5/30 and spending 2 "grown-up" days and my IL's will be bringing DS on 6/1, flying from Kansas City.

Will I need to provide the airline with a "permission" letter saying that my IL's (non-custodial party) have the right to take him on an airplane?

Does anyone have experience with this?

 

[Gabe's Mom]

Our DS went to Disney with my IL's when he was 6. I had a typed letter giving them permision to make medical decisions for him in our absence. I actually had it notarized (sp?) but that probably wasn't needed. They were not asked for anythign at the airport.
Michelle

 

[katied]

Nothing is needed. Kids don't need any ID at all to fly under age 16 within the US. We've taken DNiece and DNephew several times, and I looked into it before our trips. We were fine.

With that said, if medial attention is needed (on a non-emergency basis) when kids are not with custodial parent, then a notarized authorization is needed. Because of that, we did put together a notarized letter for my sister in law to sign each time before we took the kids, as well as their medial insurance information, just in case.

So - something to consider if you want to leave this behind for the in-laws in case something happens before you're all back together.

 

[AngieWin]

Hi from KC also!!

I would call the airline and check what their policies are. If they say yes, they do what they suggest.

And another vote for the notarized medical release. My parents have notarized authorization for medical treatment for all 8 of their grandkids (4 are mine) that are dated to expire when they turn 18. We've covered all the bases way ahead of time

 

[timzagain]

I'm not sure about air travel into the US, but I personally know of two cases where people were nearly denied entry into Canada or denied permission to travel because they didn't have a letter from the other parent giving permission.

I've had some strange looks & pointed questions when travelling to the US with my youngest daughter - a bi-racial child that bears very little resemblance to me. Quite frankly, when strangers see us together - it is usually assumed that I'm her nanny, not her mother.

We are planning a missions trip to Mexico this summer - one of the things that was heavily stressed was the need to have a permission letter signed by both parents of the teens who are travelling without parental accompaniment. We do have to travel through the US, so I am not sure if that is a US requirement or a Mexican one.

It might not be a requirement at the moment - but it certainly wont hurt to have a letter from you authorizing travel and medical treatment, just in case.

 

[all4fun]

we just flew with our two nephews, 10 and 14, a few weeks ago, and they were not required to show ID and we were even singled out by TSA both ways. Our nephews are dh's sisters kids and do not have the same last name as us. We have flown three times prior to that with kids that weren't ours and they were not required to show ID either. So I very much doubt your parents will be hassled at the airport at all about it.

I also second signing a limited POA/medical release form. Here's a good one: http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/TemporaryConsentMedicalTreatment.pdf

Definitely have it notarized otherwise it may not be accepted as a legal document. Notarization only costs about $5. You should be able to find a Notary Public in the yellow pages.

hth!

 

[Colleen27]

We were told it isn't required, but we send it anyway when the kids travel with their grandparents. I found a form letter granting authorization for travel and medical treatment, printed it, and had it notarized. I don't know how common this is, but in the town we live in, the clerk at city hall is a notary and there is no fee for residents. So it is free and well worth the piece of mind for them to have that documentation. I also attach a copy of DS's custody order, in case anyone decides to make an issue of the fact that DH isn't the father named on his birth certificate (I have sole legal & physical custody, and thus don't need my ex's permission/agreement for anything).

 

[tjmw2727]

ID or permission to travel is not necessary for children to fly. I travel as the solo adult with my dd's and my neices, ages 5 through 14 and I have never been asked who I am traveling with or why. My neices have a different last name and are of a different nationality - never a word said. None of the kids has ever been asked for ID although occasionally the TSA agent will ask them for their name.

I would recommend a notarized letter for medical treatment in your absence. Make sure you do one for each adult and send along the kids medical insurance cards with any and all allergy information.

Have fun
TJ

 

[nemomama]

As far as I know this is only required for international travel.

 

[aubriee]

I have flown multiple times with my grandaughter. Because her parents are divorced, I always have a notarized statement from both my son and my ex D-I-L, stating that she can travel with me from a certain date to a certain date, where we are going, and that I can provide medical treatment for her. I also always carry a copy of her insurance card. I have never been required to show anything, anywhere. I always want to carry them though, mainly because I never know when my ex D-I-L may get mad at my son and decide to pull something.