notorized travel letters in us
 

Hi
Have tried to research this quickly and haven't come up with anything. Do you need to carry a notorized letter when traveling solo with your kids in the US? I am taking the girls to FL for a few days without DH. I just thought of it in the middle of the night last night because I know you are supposed to have one when traveling outside the US.
Thanks

I don't know about "need" but it would be highly recommended. I certainly would do it just in case.

I've traveled many times (4-6 times per year) in the US with just my daughter and have never had (or needed) a letter. Most of the time, I haven't even carried ID for her, although since she's now a teenager I've recently been bringing along her passport in case anyone asks for ID.

No you don't. The intention is to prevent parents in a custody dispute from whisking the child to a country that doesn't have an extradition (or whatever it would be) agreement. Not a problem when travelling within the US.

If your child is travelling with people who are not his/her guardians, it would be good to have a note authorizing health care.

I did not think about this because we usually travel together as a family. It would seem weird to get a letter allowing me to visit my sister in law with my teens, but in this world, you just never know.
I would hate to be standing at the airport at 5:00 in the am without the needed documents.
I have searched the US airways website and the US Govt travel website and came up with nothing. I guess we are okay without a letter. Anyone else have an experience with this?Thanks

I think in this day and age of heavy security at the airports that most people forget we are still free to travel across cities and states. You don't need to show ID unless you're taking a domestic flight. You don't need to have ID if you're a passenger in a car. This also includes being able to travel with whomever that person is including your child or a friends child. You are not required to have a notarized letter giving you consent to travel from one state to another state. This is only if you're going outside the country. I do highly recommend having a signed letter of permission for health emergencies. You are basically making a medical decision for the child when the parent is readly available.