Could a mother authorize a relative/friend to travel with her children (12-13 years old) from the US to another country? What are the rules and requirements?
Would an authorization letter from the mother to show at immigration enough?
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1travel.stackexchange.com/questions/91843/…– Augustine of HippoCommented May 11, 2018 at 12:32
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At 12 there are typically allowed to travel alone. If they are reasonably level headed, they should be able to do this on their own, especially when travelling together. Having a non-stop flight would help too. See airsafe.com/kidsafe/kidrules.htm. Our kids did that pretty early. Feel free to post a different questions on tips and tricks around that.– HilmarCommented May 11, 2018 at 13:00
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In principle, you need a form that depends on the state. In practice, nobody bothers to check as long as it doesn't seem like he's abducted. My son flew twice with other people with no problem– ugorenCommented May 11, 2018 at 15:08
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What country? Here's some info for Mexico, advising a notarized letter. Other countries may be different.– kruboCommented May 11, 2018 at 15:27
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Travelling from the US to Europe or Australia. Kids are Hong Kong citizen with L2 US visa, currently studying in the US.– IcyCommented May 11, 2018 at 17:50
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1 Answer
You can authorize someone who is not a parent or legal guardian, and would need to verify the destination country entry and, potentially, exit requirements.
As they (and/or you) are in the United States, here is what US Customs and Border Protection recommends:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 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." See our Q&A parental consent.
While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if we do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed. If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (deceased, sole custody, etc.) any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., would be useful.
Adults traveling with children should also be aware that, while the U.S. does not require this documentation, other countries may have a requirement and failure to produce notarized permission letters and/or birth certificates could result in travelers being refused entry (Canada has very strict requirements in this regard).
Additional information on children traveling alone, can be found on our website at Answer ID 449.