stefi

I have searched for this info here and on the state dept's page but to no avail - is there any documentation, legal or otherwise, that we would need to take a child not our own (friend of our son, 17 years old) to Europe (UK and Greece) with us this summer? Thanks!

janisj

To protect yourselves - you should have a letter signed by both parents that gives you permission to have the child, plus you need the authority to get medical attention. I don't think the format is all that important - but you might ask your attorney for advice.

dawnnoelm

stefi,

I would contact the airline that you are flying on and perhaps they have a standard form you can get notrized.

We might be bringing a friend to Europe as well in December who is 17.

My son has traveled out of country with our church and I just signed consent forms.

SusieQQ

When I've taken a minor child with me I've taken notarized permission letters from each parent and notarized permission to seek medical treatment. I've had to show them going into Mexico.

Cowboy1968

I'd also suggest to get professional legal assistance.
Also any potential requirements of the countries you will be visiting may be of importance (e.g. translation of documents for Greece IF required).
Nothing I would do based solely on information you can gather here --including mine, of course ;-).

capxxx

You need a letter from the parents saying their child has permission to travel with you, and for you to seek medical attention on behalf of their child. It should state the dates of travel and the countries you will be in. This letter should be signed by the parents and notarized. There is no special form.

In my experience they check when I travel to Canada (with my kids and others' kids), and they don't check when I travel to Europe. They are less likely to check for a 17 year old than a 10 year old.

But if they do check and you don't have the documentation, they will grill you and the children until they are convinced that you are not a kidnapper. This did happen to me once when I was travelling with my own son, and dad had stayed home.

Statia

When we took my husband's daughter out of the country, we always got a letter from her mother stating the dates of travel, flight details, places we'd be visiting and authorization for medical treatment. We never involved a professional, but did always have the letter notarized.

As others have said, you may or may not be asked for it, but it's a good idea to have it. I've heard some horror stories from friends who were denied flights or cruises with someone as close as grandparents because they did not have such a letter from the parents.

StCirq

What SusieQQ said. Make sure it's notarized.

Slow_Wanderer

Here's a recent discussion that you might find helpful:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35092727

Apres_Londee

Definately have an affidavit from both parents. They can have it done at one of those all purpose lawyer's offices you find in shopping malls, or often there will be a lawyer or notary public's office in the same office building where you get your passport. It's a routine document, they will know what it is.

Anyone travelling with an infant who is not their own child, or alone without the other parent/legal guardian, needs to consider this a basic requirement and expense of the trip, same as getting a passport or visa or vaccination or whatever.

AAFrequentFlyer

Correct me if I'm wrong but my first independent Europe trip happened when I was 17 and so was my friend. We did not need any permission from our parents. Nobody asked us anything.

Unless rules changed your son's friend should be able to cross any borders on their own.

stefi

Thanks to all who replied. Lots of helpful info; I appreciate it!

Apres_Londee

There's a difference between an under-18 teenager travelling by themselves, and an under-18 teenager travelling with adults. As everyone says, the chances of actually being asked to produce the notarized letter may be slim, especially with an older teen, but why take the risk or suffer any unnecessary anxiety? It's a small expense and a bit of a hassle but them's the breaks.

AAFrequentFlyer

I'm sorry but what's the difference?

The friend steps up to the passport control officer by themselves and presents a passport.

I really don't see any difference.

AAFrequentFlyer

If my memory serves me right (it was some time ago ), I stepped up to the Frankfurt passport control booth and here is how the conversation went.

me: hello

agent: what's the purpose of your visit

me: pleasure, to visit Germany and Poland

agent: how long will you be staying in Europe?

me: 6 weeks

agent: do you have sufficient funds?

me: yes sir, I believe I do, but I also have family in Poland where I will be staying for at least 2 weeks out of 6.

agent: enjoy your trip

me: thank you

that's it...

Apres_Londee

Well, on one hand you're right, because I think the Hague Convention only applies to children under the age of 16, but it's prundent to consider anyone under the age of 18 a child. The Canadian government recommends the permission letter for anyone under 18, for instance.

AAFrequentFlyer

If it makes the OP feel better than a notarized authorization letter signed by both parents is always a good thing to have but I was just pointing out the fact that a 17 yo can travel int on their own without parents authorization as long as you can prove sufficient funds and have a return or onward ticket in your possession. No need for any expensive lawyer advice/help.

Statia

It's not at passport control that issues arise....it's at the airline check-in counter from what friends of mine have experienced. Unfortunately we live in a very different world now.

kismetchimera

I never had any problems taking my young grandchildren to Europe despite that they have a different last name.


In your case I would bring a notarized consent letter from his parents and also the Power of Attorney giving you permission to take him to the dr.

Have a great trip.

longhorn55

I just posted a reply to this question on the U.S. forum. This issue is covered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency. I copied their official answer to this question, so I won't repeat it verbatim here. But, the official stance is that you need to have a signed, notarized statement from BOTH of the minor child's parents giving you permission to travel with the child. You do not need to have a lawyer to do this as the site also gives you proper language to use. You should, of course, also have a notorized medical power of attorney so that you can authorize medical treatment for the child if necessary.
While the Customs and Border Protection agents may not request this document, customs and immigrations agents abroad may do so and if you don't have it, you could be denied entry to their country.
You can look at my entry in the U.S. forum or check http://help.cbp.gov and go to "Questions".