Taking a Minor into the US

[Siddex]

All,

We are taking my sons girlfriend with us in August and she is 17. Do I need any form of documentation in place to cover taking her into another country?

Thanks

Mark

[sprocket]

17 is not classified as a minor for flying to the USA. She could easily go alone, or your son and her could fly alone, they dont need anyone older with them.
Anyone under the age of 15 needs someone 16 or older with them.
The only thing i can think of is, you could get her to sign her own note giving you medical responsibility if something happens to her, but that still may not be acceptable at her age.

[Mickie]

Always wise if travelling with an under 18 when you are not the parent or legal guardian to have authorisation from both parents for you to take them on the specific trip with their full names addresses and passport and contact details. Should also give you authority to make any medical or other emergency decisions if you are not able to contact the parents/guardians

[sprocket]

A letter of consent for a 17 year old is worthless and pointless as they can travel and make their own decisions without parental consent.
The only exception is, if they had a disability that gave them the mentality lower than a 16 year old.
They can go through customs on their own, check in on their own and nobody would give a second thought. At 16+ they could even take their own child without anyone elses permission.

Originally Posted by Mickie

Always wise if travelling with an under 18 when you are not the parent or legal guardian to have authorisation from both parents for you to take them on the specific trip with their full names addresses and passport and contact details. Should also give you authority to make any medical or other emergency decisions if you are not able to contact the parents/guardians

See more...

[Mickie]

Originally Posted by sprocket

A letter of consent for a 17 year old is worthless and pointless as they can travel and make their own decisions without parental consent.

See more...

The CBP recommend it and border staff at both ends can intervene with anyone they consider vulnerable whether over or under 18. Plus should there be a medical emergency it would be useful to have in case you can’t get in contact with their parents.


help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...N1k3bw%3D% 3D

[Rac20]

Originally Posted by sprocket

A letter of consent for a 17 year old is worthless and pointless as they can travel and make their own decisions without parental consent.
The only exception is, if they had a disability that gave them the mentality lower than a 16 year old.
They can go through customs on their own, check in on their own and nobody would give a second thought. At 16+ they could even take their own child without anyone elses permission.

See more...

Not quite true that no one would give a second thought. I got a grilling as to who I was travelling with when I was returning home from Orlando. I was 25 at the time, though looked a lot younger (shame I still don’t) and was stood with my father-in-law.

[PPM]

Originally Posted by Rac20

Not quite true that no one would give a second thought. I got a grilling as to who I was travelling with when I was returning home from Orlando. I was 25 at the time, though looked a lot younger (shame I still don’t) and was stood with my father-in-law.

See more...

I don’t see what your example has to do with a 17 year old as the official would have seen your age from your passport. It may have been something else that triggered it.

[cumbrian lakes]

Just returned with my granddaughter who was 14. We were never asked for any consent forms. She came away with us last year and no one asked for any forms.

Barbara

[JLH]

Originally Posted by sprocket

A letter of consent for a 17 year old is worthless and pointless as they can travel and make their own decisions without parental consent.
The only exception is, if they had a disability that gave them the mentality lower than a 16 year old.
They can go through customs on their own, check in on their own and nobody would give a second thought. At 16+ they could even take their own child without anyone elses permission.

See more...

I took my sons girlfriend and friend aged 17 and was stopped on the way back and told I should have a letter that should have been notarised. I did question why when they could travel on their own but was told that was the case !

[Mr Tom Morrow]

From what I have read on here over the years it appears that more people get questioned upon their return to the UK than on entering the US.
Maybe we have a more robust policy on people trafficking.

However some of the UK Border Force operatives seem to make up the policy as they go along!
All type of recommendations can be made but in reality no documentation is required and it certainly doesn't need to be notarized either.
However a letter from Parents can make things simpler and stop a lengthy delay whilst enquiries are made.