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Kids Who Travel Abroad, Things to Consider & Changing U.S. Entry Requirements

By Linda Kagan

AGS Worldwide Movers
AGS Worldwide Movers

Summary: Parents often wonder whether they need a written authorization to travel with a child of their own or with one of their children's friends when traveling overseas. Well, the simple answer is, more often then you might think.

Parents and relatives of children often wonder whether they need a written authorization to travel with a child of their own or with one of their children's friends when traveling overseas. Well, the simple answer is, more often then you might think. Today's world is much different then when we were growing up, and concerns about our children's safety are paramount. For instance, if one parent is traveling internationally with her or his children, and the other parent is either staying behind or traveled ahead, a written authorization is required by the non-traveling parent (i.e., the one who slept peacefully on an earlier flight or is staying home and sleeping in tomorrow). This is the case, whether you are a family friend, grandparent or relative of a child as well. While you may have traveled in the past without such written authorization, times have changed and a request for such authorization can trigger an emergency run to the airport by parent #1 and/or parent #2 (unless they are abroad and out of reach causing a major delay). Since travel is increasingly stressful, it makes sense to have this critical piece of paper in hand, even if you never have to present it.

Travel into the United States is getting a little more complicated for U.S. citizens as well. If you are a U.S. citizen and traveling by air into the U.S., a passport or other valid travel document is required, whether you are an adult or child. Land or sea travel has its own set of requirements. As of January 31, 2008, the practice of accepting verbal statements of citizenship at U.S. borders, for land or sea travel, will no longer be in effect. Children with U.S. citizenship who are eighteen years and younger will only need to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate (certified copies are the best way to go), naturalization certificate or a U.S. passport. For children from other countries, requirements specific to each country, including visa requirements, if any, must be complied with. More on these issues in a following article.

You may be wondering why all the regulations? In 2004, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (IRPTA) led to the enactment of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which established the passport or proof of citizenship requirements for all travelers who intend to enter the United States. The goal of the initiative is to standardize the documentation requirements for U.S. citizens, as well as those the Department of Homeland Security classify as legitimate foreign visitors. These guidelines change from time to time, as well as carve out certain requirements for re-entry or entry from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean region (17 regions in all), if traveling by land or sea as discussed above. Currently, for land and sea travel from these particular countries or regions, U.S. citizens 19 and older must either present a valid passport, a passport card (should be available Spring 2008) or what is referred to as a WHTI-compliant document (see the link below), or a government-issued ID with a photo, such as a state driver's license along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate (certified copies are best).

After June 1, 2009, most U.S. citizens entering the U.S. via land or sea ports must have a passport, passport card or a WHTI-compliant document. To read more about these requirements, other U.S. federal regulations and important updates, you can go to http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html and related sites.

Keep in mind, that while you may not always be asked for certain identification and/or a written authorization from a parent, especially if you are traveling alone with your own children or with someone else's child (even a grandchild), once you are asked for proof of travel authorization and do not have it, your travel plans may be severely impacted. Better to be prepared ahead of time.

If you have a question, please send a question to [email protected] and we will do our best to answer it for you and perhaps post it to the www.forms4parents.com FAQ page to help everyone understand a little more about child travel and safety.

About the Author

Linda Kagan is the founder of Forms4Parents.com, an innovative new site that provides parents and their children with travel, medical, custodial and doctor/emergency online legal authorization forms customized to the specific needs of each child and family.


First Published: May 03, 2008

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