Traveling with a child that's not ours question

[disneyjr77]

We are taking DD14's bestie with us this year. She's 13, do we need a note or anything from her parents to travel out of state? Her mom is going to give us her health insurance info and she goes places with us all the time, but since we're going on a plane I didn't know what we would need. Thanks!

 

[LisaDougKaylee]

Many years ago we brought DH's cousin with us. She was 14 at the time. We had her mom write a letter with all their demographic, contact & insurance info authorizing us to make medical decisions in her behalf in case of emergency. She had it notarized to make as official as possible. I'm really not sure how legal this is, but we felt better having it with us.

 

[LisaDougKaylee]

I forgot to add she also included her medications and dosages, a brief statement on her medical condition along with copy of her last tetanus.

 

[bchbetha]

Agree with getting notarized documents, just in case. https://traveltips.usatoday.com/forms-need-son-travel-someone-else-108821.html

 

[J'aime Paris]

DD is an only, so we had her friends accompany us traveling numerous times.
I never got any special documentation....records can be electronically sent in an instant if the unexpected happens. And no hospital will refuse to treat an emergency.

The only exceptions would be 1. If the parents are divorced and have a custody arrangement. Need to make sure both parents are in agreement. 2. If the child has a complex medical condition, where bringing some documentation could be very helpful. 3. If you leave your country of origin.

 

[LisaDougKaylee]

I agree. No hospital will refuse to treat a life threatening emergency. In our case, this was about 18 years ago (I said many years! ) before electronic medical records.

 

[mamapenguin]

I’ve always also had the medical insurance information as well as the notarized letter from the parent with permission to travel and get emergency medical care.

 

[policycobb]

You will not need anything since you aren't traveling out of the country. I have taken my nieces with me to Disney several times. TSA may ask her directly what her name is and birthdate.

 

[disneyjr77]

Thanks for all the info!!!

 

[AgentMama]

We've traveled a lot with kids who don't belong to us in and out of the country. We have always taken a note from the parents authorizing travel with a copy of the parents identification. We have never been asked for it domestically or internationally even in countries we've read they will. But we'll continue to take it with us just in case.