Medical Release Form

[winegirl]

I have a question regarding a medical release form. My husband and I are traveling on the Feb 9th cruise with his two daughters (my step daughters). Do we need their Mom to sign a medical release form and bring it with us?
Jackie

 

[cats mom]

A medical release form is meant to ensure that a child is able to receive prompt medical attention when a parent is not available to consent to necessary treatment.

Since the girls will be traveling with their father, you really shouldn't need to have one signed by mom.

Have a great cruise!

 

[LadyZolt]

The Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) site says this:

Adults traveling in or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18 should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and as possible victims of child pornography, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, the adult have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating "I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter. He/She/They has my permission to do so."

(emphasis mine)
While it's likely that no one will ask for the note, I think it's better to have it than not simply because the CBP recommends it.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[cats mom]

I agree with LadyZolt, it's probably a good idea to have permission to travel documentation and I'm assuming it would need to be notarized, although that isn't addressed in the statement quoted above. But if it's not notarized... what's the point, since anyone could write out and sign a note.

That's a whole different thing than a medical release though.

 

[MarkRG]

DCL has the appropriate forms for this situation, and I'd suggest you simply contact them, explain the situation and they'll get them to you.

 

[winegirl]

Thank you! That's exactly what I needed to know ... I will make sure to have a signed form from their mother as well.