Traveling with a minor who isn't your child

[dreamisawish]

(I'm asking all the questions today )

I'm thinking about the possibility of traveling with my cousin, who will be 15. I've been trying to find what, if anything, is needed from a UK passport control and US immigrations side but so far I've had no luck.

Does anyone know what would be needed? (I'm presuming a letter from parents/guardians but I've yet to see anything that is relevant to the situation).

Thanks!

[Raggyavn]

I would advise a letter from the Parent/Guardian with all the relevant details Passport numbers, flight numbers, Hotel addresses etc.

No doubt some people will come along and say they have never needed them, But would you rather have the letter to produce if needed or try and sort it out at passport control on the day of your flight.

On a recent trip to Berlin with my Grandchildren I exited the UK without being asked, entered and left Germany without being asked and was finally asked when re-entering the UK. Now just imagine you've just flown back from Orlando and get stopped re-entering the UK and don't have the letter and have to start ringing around.

[tommys]

we always take a letter from our daughter when taking the grandson along with photo copy of her passport and permission to deal with any medical issues that might happen search on Google for examples. you will get people saying never needed it but out of the 6/7 times we've taken him we've had to show it on a couple of occasions better to be safe then sorry if a medical situation comes up and you don't have the paper work to deal with it

[JenD1]

We took my sons GF several times and always had a letter from her parents and a copy of their passports. Never once asked for it but she was asked on arriving at MCO who/why she was travelling with. No problem at all.

[Pinchy]

Written permission (pref notarized) is really more important for medical consent. For medical, legal and insurance reasons a doctor may refuse treatment to a child without the right paperwork if the parental consent cannot be obtained otherwise.

[Disney Ash]

I have traveled with my own kids to visit family whilst my hubby stayed home and I have been questioned about it on both sides of the pond.

You will need a letter from both parents if available giving consent for you to take their child out of the country and permission to act as consenting adult if there is a medical emergency.