Travelling with a non-family minor

[Rachandco]

Hi all

I was just wondering if anyone has taken a minor to Florida with them that isn't part of their family??

My dd is taking her friend with us at Easter who is 15. It suddenly occurred to me that we may need some sort of written consent from her parents to say that we are allowed to take her out of the country. Has anyone else experienced anything like this before?

As always, your replies will be very much appreciated

Rach x

 

[DISWolves]

It may be worth a PM to Wayne (wayneg)
I know he has done this in the past.
I think he had a link to a consent form

 

[disneyholic family]

you need a child travel consent form to be signed by the child's parents.

i think you can find something on various websites.

Here's one: http://www.lawdepot.co.uk/contracts/travel-consent-uk/

when you fill out the form select - child will be traveling "with an adult who is NOT a parent or guardian"

 

[wayneg]

For the US you don't require anything for entry but I was told while no documentation is required it could be difficult getting medical treatment without it. We were advised to take a signed letter of consent and a passport of the child to prove signature.

"CBP also suggests that this note be notarized" we went as far as seeing a solicitor and asking for this to be told it would be wasting our money and his time, saying in this situation a notarized letter meant no more than a signed letter of consent.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/268/kw/child

I did my own here on my website but the link above from Beth looks better.

We were more concerned about the cruise we were on, documentation for that seemed more strict but in reality no-one cared either at immigration into US or at the port.

 

[disneyholic family]

the US has gotten more strict about this in recent years, because of kidnappings by divorced parents (of US citizen minors).

However, i don't know how much they care about non-US citizen minors and in any case, you're talking about a teenager, not a little baby who can't talk.

but better safe than sorry - may as well have the letter signed by the parents.

we took a 12 year old with us, but it was years ago, long before immigration authorities did much other than stamp the passport.
back then we also took a letter, but no one cared.
but having the letter doesn't hurt, and it may help if the immigration officer decides to throw his authority around...

 

[lin85prest]

We take our foster children with us to Florida, we always have a letter of authorisation with us but have never been asked to produce it or asked any questions when entering the US. Only ever questoned once and that was when we were returning and going through immigration at Gatwick.

 

[irisheyes123]

I have done this a good few times the youngest child was 16 months and again when he was 2 almost 3 in november just gone Plus taking teenagers I have never been asked for anything I always get a consent form filled out just incase of needing any medical treatment hope this helps

 

[4evryoung]

We took two 13 year old friends of my son a few years ago and did ask their parents to sign a form -- mostly in case of any medical issue arising, rather than worries about immigration. Once we got talking to the families, we discovered one had motion sickness (yup, just what you need in a theme park!) and the other had migraine if he over-heated. So, we talked about medication for both conditions. Then we started to think about other eventualities, so I ended up with a list that gave me details of their travel insurance policies, the id numbers of their essential kit (phones, game players, cameras etc) in case they lost anything, travellers cheque numbers, and advice from each parent on how often they wanted calls home, what they ate and didn't eat, and how much "spends" each child had.

By the end of it, I felt as if I was prepared for all eventualities -- but even better, both sets of parents were re-assured that I was taking seriously the responsibility of looking after their sons while they were 3,000 miles from home.

We all survived the experience and our kids are still as connected at aged 19 as they were at 13!.

Good luck with your trip.

 

[scottishgirl87]

In 2003 my 2 best friends came with me and my parents to Florida and we had no problems, whatsoever. We were all 15/16 at the time. At immigration they did get asked a few extra questions like "who are you here with?", "do you know these people?", "how do you know them?" etc. but that was it.

I don't know how much it's changed since then though!

 

[Rachandco]

Thank you all so much for your replies. There are definitely some pointers that I have taken note of and I will print the form and get it signed - just in case. Fingers crossed that we don't have any problems....

Rach x

 

[disneyholic family]

Thank you all so much for your replies. There are definitely some pointers that I have taken note of and I will print the form and get it signed - just in case. Fingers crossed that we don't have any problems....

Rach x

the medical advice is important too - i forgot about that.
be sure you have the teen's travel medical insurance information! you can't be too safe when it comes to that. Especially when traveling to america, where healthcare costs are stratospheric (and can bankrupt an uninsured person in the blink of an eye)

 

[Rachandco]

This is the part that concerns me most. The last thing we want is a huge medical bill if, God forbid, something was to happen. But I think I'm sorted now.... although, I'm sure I'll think of something else to worry me!! When travelling with your own family you just kind of take it for granted that you have most things in order. Taking another person is a whole different ball game....

 

[disneyholic family]

This is the part that concerns me most. The last thing we want is a huge medical bill if, God forbid, something was to happen. But I think I'm sorted now.... although, I'm sure I'll think of something else to worry me!! When travelling with your own family you just kind of take it for granted that you have most things in order. Taking another person is a whole different ball game....

i know - when we took the 12 year old it was a lot more work than i thought it would be. But it worked out in the end and everyone had a good time!!

 

[Rachandco]

I'm hoping it all works out well. The plan is that because my dd and her friend will be nearly 16, once we are in the parks they can go off and do their own thing, checking in with us every couple hours. We will also buy walkie talkies. I do feel that because we are taking someone else, this holiday has needed more planning...but then I'm in my element