How to leave the country?
 

I am going to Rome for a month this summer and have never left the country without a gaurdian. If you are under 18 what types of notes etc. do you need if any?

I ain't touchin' this one.

In case you're legit (doubtful),

Couldn't you ask your parent(s) or guardian(s) to research this? They surely have more of stake in you having a safe and legal voyage than the strangers on this board. I also think a google search for topics like "underage foreign travel", "minor foreign travel", "travel restrictions under 18", etc. should give a few leads.

It has been several years, but I seem to remember that my parents both had to sign all kinds of letters/documents that had to be notarized in order for me to leave the country under 18 either alone or with a school group.

I see from your other post that you will be singing in one or more operas while you are there. I assume this trip is sponsored and/or paid for by someone, and I am a little concerned that you are asking us this question rather than your sponsor or employer. They should already have given you information, especially with regard to obtaining a work or study visa for Italy (see below). If they haven't or can't answer your questions, you should reconsider this trip with them, as it seems to me they either don't know what they are doing, or don't care if you work illegally in Italy.

As I see it, you have a few issues:

1. Will you be permitted to leave the US on your own being under 18. The best place to start is with your airline. They should be able to tell you what the exit requirements will be, and/or point you to a source of information. You should also probably take a look at the US State department website at
state.gov, and in particular http://travel.state.gov/. You might want to call or write them for precise information.

2. Entry into Italy as an unaccompanied minor. I don't believe you would have any issue with this, as you don't even fill out a landing card for Italy, so no one would really know that you are there by yourself. However, if you look very young, someone may enquire. Your sponsor or employer should have precise information. If they don't, I would reconsider this trip with them, as it seems they don't know what they are doing. Your two best sources of information would be the Embassy of Italy at 1601 Fuller St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, tel: 202-328-5500 or via the internet: http://www.italyemb.org, and the The U.S. Embassy in Rome is located at Via V. Veneto 119/A, tel: 39-06-46741 and fax: 39-06-4674-2217; Internet address: http://www.usembassy.it.

3. Work/Study Visa for Italy. US citizens arriving in Italy do not need a visa for a stays of up to 30 days. However, as you will be working and/or studying, you theoretically need a work or student visa. You could try to enter as a tourist, but if you are caught working, this could result in a fine, imprisonment and deportation. Again, the work/study visa is something your sponsor or employer should be working on now, as they have to sponsor you for the visa. You have to have this visa before you leave the US. You should really speak to them and if they don't know anything about this, I would really question them. You should also contact the Italian Embassy in the US.

Unless you are aksing the tour sponsor you are asking, and wasting the time of, the wrong people.