Traveling with kids not mine

[Jajone]

I'm taking my DD and her 3 teen friends to WDW and will be flying. What paperwork do I need to bring to get through security since I am not their parent?

 

[Alesia]

Nothing.

 

[charmed59]

When taking friends under the age of 18 that are not your children it is a good idea to have a signed medical directive from their parents allowing you to sign for their medical care in case of emergencies. You do need consent forms from the parents if you are taking the kids out of the country, but domestic airlines don't ask for these letters.

 

[Alesia]

When taking friends under the age of 18 that are not your children it is a good idea to have a signed medical directive from their parents allowing you to sign for their medical care in case of emergencies.

I used to recommend this, but it turns out they are useless. in a true, life threatening emergency, they treat the child anyway. In a non-emergency, they won't treat unless they actually speak to a parent on the phone.

Of course, you should have parents phone numbers, copies of insurance cards, and known allergies and medications, but you won't need them to get through the airport.

If they're 18 or older, they'll need ID.

 

[wdwjeffc37]

I know it is probably not necessary but if they are minors (under 18) I would get a letter from the parents acknowledging the fact that they have granted permission for their children to travel with me. Especially if you are crossing state lines. You probably won't need anything like that at the airport but I'd rather have it and not need it. If I am going to be responsible for other peoples children I would like something in writing. Strange things can happen and it might make it easier to have a document of some kind to explain. We my kids travel for school trips I have to sign a permission slip and agreement to let the school be responsible for them.

 

[Alesia]

I know it is probably not necessary but if they are minors (under 18) I would get a letter from the parents acknowledging the fact that they have granted permission for their children to travel with me. Especially if you are crossing state lines. You probably won't need anything like that at the airport but I'd rather have it and not need it. If I am going to be responsible for other peoples children I would like something in writing. Strange things can happen and it might make it easier to have a document of some kind to explain. We my kids travel for school trips I have to sign a permission slip and agreement to let the school be responsible for them.

That's because your kids are being covered by the school's insurance.

 

[tjmw2727]

I'm taking my DD and her 3 teen friends to WDW and will be flying. What paperwork do I need to bring to get through security since I am not their parent?

To get through security you need nothing extra, security only needs to match the traveler to the boarding pass, they don't care who is traveling with you or why. If the teens are over 18 they need ID otherwise they will just have to state their name and age to the agent.

I have traveled often with children/teens that are not my children, some were relatives and other not and never had any issues with security.

As pointed out above make sure each teen has their insurance card (or a copy of it) and of course contact information for all the parents in case of emergency. Permission to treat is no longer necessary and often disregarded as parents/guardians can be reached immediately.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I know it is probably not necessary but if they are minors (under 18) I would get a letter from the parents acknowledging the fact that they have granted permission for their children to travel with me. Especially if you are crossing state lines. You probably won't need anything like that at the airport but I'd rather have it and not need it. If I am going to be responsible for other peoples children I would like something in writing. Strange things can happen and it might make it easier to have a document of some kind to explain. We my kids travel for school trips I have to sign a permission slip and agreement to let the school be responsible for them.

Such a note is absolutely unnecessary and a waste of time writing.

 

[rwdavis2]

Nothing at all. TSA nor the airlines will even look at a letter. There is not way to determine if it is authentic. While having a brief discussion with a TSA agent at MCO he said they do not accept letters for the reason I stated.

 

[seashoreCM]

Inquire of the airline you are flying about what documents you will need.

That way, if you have the suggested documents and you run into any difficulty resulting in missing a flight, it would not be your fault.

 

[Gracie09]

Inquire of the airline you are flying about what documents you will need.

That way, if you have the suggested documents and you run into any difficulty resulting in missing a flight, it would not be your fault.

TSA is not the airline and has no idea what if anything TSA would require. They actually require nothing. I have traveled multiple times with foster kids and other children that weren't mine and nothing is needed.

 

[Alesia]

Inquire of the airline you are flying about what documents you will need.

That way, if you have the suggested documents and you run into any difficulty resulting in missing a flight, it would not be your fault.

This makes no sense.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Inquire of the airline you are flying about what documents you will need.

That way, if you have the suggested documents and you run into any difficulty resulting in missing a flight, it would not be your fault.

I agree that this doesn't make sense. Additionally, the OP's question has already been answered correctly, several times.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

Such a note is absolutely unnecessary and a waste of time writing.

It's invaluable if the parent were to claim you took the child without their permission - weird & unusual - but if there is a custody dispute ...or a scam behind the scenes....you just never know

Please do not bother with comments about how your child would never be friends with someone whose parent would ever do such a thing or that you would somehow just *know*. The news is full of crazier.

Get the letter

 

[Gracie09]

It's invaluable if the parent were to claim you took the child without their permission - weird & unusual - but if there is a custody dispute ...or a scam behind the scenes....you just never know

Please do not bother with comments about how your child would never be friends with someone whose parent would ever do such a thing or that you would somehow just *know*. The news is full of crazier.

Get the letter

If there was ever any doubt if a child was being abductees all they have to do is ask the child for their parents phone number and call. They are teenagers not infants. I have travelled with numerous children who were obviously not my biological children and the only thing ever said was you have your hands full. A note is worth the paper it is written on. I can write a note saying my neighbor gave me permission to take his kid to florida and sign his name to it. What does it prove exactly?

 

[rwdavis2]

If there was ever any doubt if a child was being abductees all they have to do is ask the child for their parents phone number and call. They are teenagers not infants. I have travelled with numerous children who were obviously not my biological children and the only thing ever said was you have your hands full. A note is worth the paper it is written on. I can write a note saying my neighbor gave me permission to take his kid to florida and sign his name to it. What does it prove exactly?

Exactly.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It's invaluable if the parent were to claim you took the child without their permission - weird & unusual - but if there is a custody dispute ...or a scam behind the scenes....you just never know

Please do not bother with comments about how your child would never be friends with someone whose parent would ever do such a thing or that you would somehow just *know*. The news is full of crazier.

Get the letter

Just not true. The note would be worthless. Don't waste your time.

 

[tjmw2727]

It's invaluable if the parent were to claim you took the child without their permission - weird & unusual - but if there is a custody dispute ...or a scam behind the scenes....you just never know

Please do not bother with comments about how your child would never be friends with someone whose parent would ever do such a thing or that you would somehow just *know*. The news is full of crazier.

Get the letter

If there were such an issue a note would be worthless - how would you ever prove it was authentic? If the authorities had a real reason to believe there were issues they would not just accept a folded note from someone's pocket and walk away.
Officials would simply separate you from the teens and ask them individually if they are being held against their will and proceed from there.

Getting back on topic the answer to the OP is:
You do not need any additional paperwork to travel by air with children even if they aren't your children.
The TSA requires a photo id if the teens are over 18, otherwise they will ask them to state their name and age.

 

[Jajone]

Thank you everyone for confirming what I thought. Booked our tickets last night. Rest assured we have thought this through.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

If there were such an issue a note would be worthless - how would you ever prove it was authentic? If the authorities had a real reason to believe there were issues they would not just accept a folded note from someone's pocket and walk away.
Officials would simply separate you from the teens and ask them individually if they are being held against their will and proceed from there.

Getting back on topic the answer to the OP is:
You do not need any additional paperwork to travel by air with children even if they aren't your children.
The TSA requires a photo id if the teens are over 18, otherwise they will ask them to state their name and age.

Still missing the point - if the parent or parents denied giving permission - the note would prove otherwise. it would take two seconds to verify the parents wrote the note.