Traveling abroad is a wonderful experience, one that can be absolutely fantastic for children and families. Crossing the border into a new country is exciting, but there are a few facts you need to know before traveling out of the country with kids. These tips will help make your entry into the country you’re visiting and your return home go as smoothly as possible.
Bring Your Child’s Birth Certificate 
Yup, dig through the files and bring an original copy of your child’s birth certificate with you. Yes, even if you are just going to Canada. Especially if you are traveling to Canada. They have strict requirements on this.
Note: Have these and another required documents handy, do not bury them at the bottom of the suitcase.
Have a Notarized Letter of Consent (if both biological parents are not traveling with the child)
If both biological parents are not traveling with your kiddos, you’re going to need additional paperwork saying that it is okay for you to travel with them, in order to prove that you are not kidnapping them.
The U.S. Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) website says it “strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, the adult have a note from the child’s other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, friends, or in groups*, a note signed by both parents) stating “I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter/group. He/She/They has/have my permission to do so.” They strongly suggest that you have the statement notarized. I say definitely get it notarized.
CBP acknowledge that they may not ask for it, but you still need to have it. It’s entirely possible that the country you are visiting will ask for it, too.
CBP recommends that the letter contain the following:
- Who (I include both name and the individual’s passport #)
- What
- Where
- When
- Why
- Contact information for the absent parent(s).
If you don’t have this, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed. If one parent has died, they recommend bringing along the death certificate. I am so very sorry.
Prep Your Child for the Fact that a Customs Agent May Chat with Them
When we crossed into Canada to visit Niagara Falls, the agent asked us to pull the car up a bit so that she was even with my daughter in the back seat and proceeded to talk with her for about five minutes. She was friendly, but very businesslike.
Any time a person of authority is questioning a child, it’s natural for them to feel a bit intimidated. Try to prepare for them for the possibility that it may happen, and let them know that this is definitely not the time for jokes. (Although if you telling them that is more likely to provoke a problematic comment, don’t do that.)
Bon voyage, and have a great trip!
Prior Post: Bridge of Spies from DreamWorks is perfect date night movie
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