Travelling abroad with grandchild
 

My husband and I plan on taking our 5 yr. old grandson to either the Bahamas or the Cayman Islands over Easter. Does anyone know exactly what kind of documentation we will need to take him out of the ocuntry since we are not his legal guardians? He does not have a passport. Thanks.

I do not know about the passport requirments for these countries though they can be easily determined, and it is always better to get one as you have time. That fact that you have his passport will put officials at ease.

The issue with your not being his guardians I can answer. You should have two documents with you. The first should be a direction from his parents giving you permission to travel with their child. This document should have the exact date and destination of travel as well as flight numbers etc. The documents should be signed and NOTARIZED to provide comfort that it is real.

Similiarly you should have a notarized authorization authorizing you to be in loco perentece, meaning that you have full authority to make all decisions including medical decisions for the child in case of emergency.

You may never be asked for these documents but for the little effort it will take to have them better safe than sorry.

You will definitely need a notarized document from the parents authorizing you
to travel outside of the U.S. with your grandson. A good overview of the requirements can be found on familytravelnetwork.com. Airlines sometimes provide a sample form document
to follow, too. As to MSQ's reference to an additional document authorizing you to make medical decisions, etc., the correct term is "in loco parentis". However, this term
has historically been used in various other contexts, e.g., a college acts in loco parentis
regarding the students in its care. Perhaps
what is needed is an additional power of attorney authorizing you to make emergency
medical decisions while on the trip. Again, the website mentioned should cover this issue. In any event, given the environment of various child custody disputes and other security issues, you should be prepared with
the appropriate paperwork.

Yes, as the others posted, definitely get him a passport and bring with you the notarized letter. My husband and I travel with each of our grandchildren for their 13th birthdays, and though we've never been asked for the letter, I've seen it asked for at our airport and the folks traveling didn't have it. Delayed their vacation by a day and the extra cost of changed flights, etc.

It's a treasure traveling with grandchildren. Hope you come back with wonderful memories!

If you/his parents do decide to get him a passport, read carefully of Dept of State webpage about regulations to get him a passport - both his parents must appear with him (or there are directions for notarized info from absent parent) at passport processing office.