traveling with an underaged babysitter

[danyella522]

I'm not sure what the rules are for this? She is 17 and does not have a license, she does have a paper pemit. She is also not related to us. What do I need to do to prepare for our flight?

 

[auralia]

if she is 16 i think she needs a valid form of id my 15 year old neice got away with a school idea but i don't know if that would work for a 17 year old.

 

[danyella522]

thank you for the reply

do you know anything about the fact that she is not related to us? Will that matter?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

if she is 16 i think she needs a valid form

This is not correct. No id is required for anyone under the age of 18 for travel within the US.

OP - You don't need to bring any documentation for your babysitter, although it would be a good idea for her to have her medical insurance card. It doesn't matter if she is not related to you. The airlines and TSA do not care.

 

[tjmw2727]

This is not correct. No id is required for anyone under the age of 18 for travel within the US.

OP - You don't need to bring any documentation for your babysitter, although it would be a good idea for her to have her medical insurance card. It doesn't matter if she is not related to you. The airlines and TSA do not care.

Right - ID is only required for passengers 18 and over. I travel with my neices all the time ages ranging from 13 to 17 and although we have different last names there has never been an issue.

ITA with the above suggestion, she should have her medical card and you should have authorization for medical treatment but OT for clearing security!

 

[danyella522]

PHEW! Our trip is coming up and I put this all off until now. I was afraid her mom would have to come down to the airport with us or something

 

[Tara]

Other posters have already cleared up the misconception about what age a person needs photo ID...I'll just add that it would be a good idea for her to have her permit or even a copy of her birth certificate to show that she is in fact under 18. But you likely won't be questioned or asked for such a thing. The TSA agent checking boarding passes and ID at security will probably see her and ask her how old she is, maybe even her birthday to see if she easily gives an answer proving she's under 18.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

It is EXTREMELY important that you bring a NOTARIZED authorization for medical treatment for her in case of a medical emergency. Her insurance card will be of very little use if you aren't able to authorize treatment.

 

[scdak]

It is EXTREMELY important that you bring a NOTARIZED authorization for medical treatment for her in case of a medical emergency. Her insurance card will be of very little use if you aren't able to authorize treatment.

All states are different as far as allowing a 17 yr old to sign for emergency treatment for medical issues, and surgical consent is another story, while I would hope nothing happens to ruin your trip, its great to know that if a medical emergency occured, you could authorize treatment if necessary, while contacting her parents.

 

[francie57]

Agree with pp, make sure you have a notorized letter from her parents stating you have authority in case of a medical emergency and make sure you have a copy of her insurance card. We have taken friends of our kids on several trips and always make sure we have these with us. Better safe than sorry.

 

[quagmire0]

Easiest thing I would think would be to get her a state ID. Shouldn't cost much or take too long.

 

[tjmw2727]

Easiest thing I would think would be to get her a state ID. Shouldn't cost much or take too long.

Unnecessary as the OP said the baby sitter is 17 and as has been stated previously only passengers 18 and over need ID.

I think in this case a state ID would be a complete waste of $ as the OP said the babysitter has her permit so she will probably have a real ID soon anyway.

 

[danyella522]

thank you for all your help! she is going for her license right before we leave but I doubt she will have the hard copy in time. I will do the notarization for medical treatment. I didn't even think of that!

 

[quagmire0]

Unnecessary as the OP said the baby sitter is 17 and as has been stated previously only passengers 18 and over need ID.

I think in this case a state ID would be a complete waste of $ as the OP said the babysitter has her permit so she will probably have a real ID soon anyway.

Well, if she has her license by that time, it's not an issue. I was just thinking for the $20 (or less) or so for a state ID, it would be worth it for the peace of mind that she won't be getting checked and rechecked with the birth certificate. An ID is more reliable and would get her in and out.

 

[Ress76]

Well, if she has her license by that time, it's not an issue. I was just thinking for the $20 (or less) or so for a state ID, it would be worth it for the peace of mind that she won't be getting checked and rechecked with the birth certificate. An ID is more reliable and would get her in and out.

This.

Although where we are in NY state, it's far more than $20, I whole heartedly agree with this. Security at our local airport gave my son, 17 at the time, a terrible time about not having gov't issued ID. He had his school ID, and I had brought his BC, but that was it. And I will admit, he had just turned 17, but bigger than me-looked probably 21+, but we were going by the "no ID needed under 18" rule.

You don't technically *need* it, but if the cost on your state for a non-driver ID or the like is minimal, it is completely worth it to have the peace of mind to zip right through security like everyone else. If the cost in your state is not minimal or easily absorbed, then it's your (or her parent's) call. To me, it is well worth $20 or maybe even $50 to not argue with a supervisor about the TSA rules and regulations that were ignored in order to get my vacation under way.

Or...maybe investing in a passport might be of interest to her (or her parents)?

And what everyone else has sasid about notarized forms for medical care etc-totally agree with that as well. You are much better off to have it and it never leaves your purse than to not haveit and wish that you did.

Ress

 

[supersuperwendy]

We've brought our teenage babysitter and she didn't need any ID since she's under 18. We loved having her with us! We are hoping she can come with us again soon!

 

[Evi]

This is super important. You need a notarized letter with her name date of birth her parents names contact info stating that they are her legal guardians. Giving you permission to travel from A-Z with her stating that she is under your care and giving you permission to sign for her parents if medical treatment is necessary.

I would also get the contact information for her medical insurance as well as Dr letter listing prescriptions if she needs to bring any.

She should also carry a photo id and medical insurance card and you should have a recent photo of her.

Worst case scenario, baby sitter could need medical treatment or get lost and you would need all of the above to help her. Its easier to have all the stuff above and be able to help her asap then try to gather during an emergency.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

This is super important. You need a notarized letter with her name date of birth her parents names contact info stating that they are her legal guardians. Giving you permission to travel from A-Z with her stating that she is under your care

Not necessary.

You could, as has already been recommended a number of times in this thread, get a medical permission letter.

In this day of instant cell phone communication (I assume she has a phone), it's pretty easy to contact parents in an emergency or for you and your babysitter to get in touch if someone gets lost.

 

[Evi]

Not necessary.

You could, as has already been recommended a number of times in this thread, get a medical permission letter.

In this day of instant cell phone communication (I assume she has a phone), it's pretty easy to contact parents in an emergency or for you and your babysitter to get in touch if someone gets lost.

If there were a life threatening emergency and you couldn't get a hold of parents would you feel the same way?

 

[Hannathy]

If there were a life threatening emergency and you couldn't get a hold of parents would you feel the same way?

Life threatening doesn't matter! That is the easiest, life threatening gets treated then the details get worked out. EVERY one gets treated in a life threatening case.

It is the non emergency things that they will wait to treat until they can get permission, but with ease of access to verbal permission by phone and ability to fax from anywhere that isn't even that big of a deal anymore.
Having the medical insurance info is more important only so you don't get stuck paying out of pocket for a visit.


And there is absolutely no need for a letter having permission to have her with you. That statement I don't understand at all? Why?