Minor traveling to Alaska/Canada without a parent

[Sarabi's Cubs]

Thought I would seek advice here - we are thinking about allowing my daughter to bring a friend on our Alaska cruise next summer. She will be a minor (16) and not with her parents. She has a passport, but what sort of documentation would she need to travel to Alaska and Canada with us. Her parents are divorced, if that makes a difference in what we'd need to bring.

Thanks!

Laurie

 

[afyoung]

Just to be sure...I would call the cruise line and speak with someone directly about that. I mean you have to sign forms for people you are related to and on the ship in the room next door to take your kids off the ship in ports, so I am sure some sort of forms would be required. Maybe contact a government agency/tourism board in Canada as well.

 

[lanejudy]

You will need a letter from both her parents authorizing you to take her into Canada, preferrably notarized. Have it indicate the dates, your travel plans, etc. You may or may not be asked for this when crossing into Canada, but they can make life challenging if you don't have it when requested. I have had to do this simply for my husband taking a day-trip with our daughter.

With regards to cruising, you'll need the Minor Authorization form from DCL's website. This only requires one parent signature. And her passport. That's all that is required. I also suggest having a medical authorization from her parents, as well as copies of her medical insurance; hopefully not needed but good to have in an emergency.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

You will need a letter from both her parents authorizing you to take her into Canada, preferrably notarized. Have it indicate the dates, your travel plans, etc. You may or may not be asked for this when crossing into Canada, but they can make life challenging if you don't have it when requested. I have had to do this simply for my husband taking a day-trip with our daughter.

With regards to cruising, you'll need the Minor Authorization form from DCL's website. This only requires one parent signature. And her passport. That's all that is required. I also suggest having a medical authorization from her parents, as well as copies of her medical insurance; hopefully not needed but good to have in an emergency.

Enjoy your cruise!

I completely agree with everything Lanejudy suggested here. Canada is one country where I have heard reports of single parents having difficulty crossing the boarder with their kids if they don't have a letter from the absent parent. Make sure to get a letter with both parents' signatures or a separate letter from each of her parents.

 

[jeepnjudy]

I would also have her parents sign a medical power of attorney so if needed you can authorize any medical treatment for her. We always do this when our kids stay with the grandparents to visit.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

I completely agree with everything Lanejudy suggested here. Canada is one country where I have heard reports of single parents having difficulty crossing the boarder with their kids if they don't have a letter from the absent parent. Make sure to get a letter with both parents' signatures or a separate letter from each of her parents.

As an attorney in Canada, I can say that the same difficulties apply to travel across the border into the US. I am regularly notarizing travel letters for friends and family seeking to take minors across the border when both parents aren't present. Quite frankly, I'm glad border security on both sides is so vigilant on this issue in an attempt to mitigate the obvious risks when both parents are not present.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

As an attorney in Canada, I can say that the same difficulties apply to travel across the border into the US. I am regularly notarizing travel letters for friends and family seeking to take minors across the border when both parents aren't present. Quite frankly, I'm glad border security on both sides is so vigilant on this issue in an attempt to mitigate the obvious risks when both parents are not present.

The official US stance is that a letter isn't required but that they could delay you if they had any concerns that a child was being taken without permission from the absent parent(s). From posts here on Disboards, there are far fewer stories about parents being questioned by the US side than by the Canadian side. I had letters for my DD and my niece for our EC cruise and was never asked for them, but we reside in the US.

 

[Sarabi's Cubs]

Thanks so much for all of your helpful responses!!

Laurie