Traveling with Children
If a child is traveling with only one parent or someone who is not a parent or legal guardian, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)agency suggests that the adult traveling with the child should a carry a letter from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating "I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter. He/She/They has my permission to do so." CBP also suggests that the letter be notarized.
While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed. If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (deceased, sole custody, etc.) any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., would be useful.
Adults traveling with children should also be aware that many countries require such documentation, and failure to produce notarized permission letters and/or birth certificates could result in travelers being refused entry. For example, Canada has very strict requirements.
Effective June 1, 2009, children under the age of 16 (15 or younger) will still not need a passport, although if they are not traveling with both parents, they will be required to have a letter of parental consent. Teens between the ages of 16-18, if traveling as part of an adult-supervised school, religious, cultural or athletic goup, will also be exempt from rules requiring a passport, although they will need to have a copy of their birth certificate. If just traveling with friends or family, 16-18 year olds will need a passport - as will all other U.S. and Canadian citizens over the age of 15.
Sail Away Adventures recommends that all travelers carry a valid, unexpired passport regardless of where your travels will take you. Carrying a valid passport may facilitate your return home should an emergency arise.
of the
Western Hemisphere
If you plan to travel outside of the Western Hemisphere, and are citizen of the United States, you MUST carry and present a valid, unexpired passport. This requirement even applies to children and infants.
Western Hemisphere
If you plan to travel in the Western Hemisphere, (Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America):
Effective June 1, 2009 all U.S. and Canadian citizens who are 16 and older traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), are required to present a valid passport or other alternative documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. U.S. and Canadian citizens who are 15 years old or younger will still be allowed to travel with just a copy of their birth certificate, as will teens between the age of 16-18 if they are part of an adult supervised school, religious, cultural or athletic group.
Oral declarations are no longer accepted from U.S., Canadian or Bermudan travelers seeking to enter the U.S. by sea and/or land. Travelers will need to present a valid government issued ID and a birth certificate or naturalization certificate.