Got Proof? International Documents for Families
BE PREPARED: Make sure you've got the right travel documents with you ahead of time (Martin Harvey/Gallo Images/Getty)
Do you and your child(ren) have different last names? Is your child adopted? Are you traveling as a single parent? If you answer yes to any of these questions and you’re planning to travel internationally on an airplane or a cruise ship, start digging for extra documentation.
All U.S. citizens, even infants, must have a passport to travel internationally. Birth certificates are not accepted as proof of citizenship—not even for Canada, Mexico, or parts of the Caribbean.
Birth certificates are necessary, however, to prove parenthood, especially if you’re traveling as a single parent. Stricter rules are in place to thwart potential kidnappings, so keep in mind:
>>If you and your child have different last names, bring an official birth certificate showing both names.
>>If your child is adopted, have his or her passport PLUS the official decree of adoption with both names.
When just one parent is traveling, entry into foreign countries may be dependent on the traveling parent having a signed, notarized letter from the other parent giving consent. However:
>>If the other parent is deceased, have the death certificate with you.
>>If you are your child’s sole custodial parent, bring court documents proving it.
>>If there’s no other parent involved, the birth certificate must list only your name as parent.
>>If you’re cruising, remember also that you can’t simply elect not to disembark at a foreign port. When a ship sails out of, then back into, U.S. waters, passports are required for all passengers.
Regulations do change, so check with the airline, passport office, and governments of both the United States and countries you’re visiting for the latest information regarding border requirements. Most importantly, start gathering necessary documents about three months before you travel.
Of course, you may not be asked to produce every document, but if you are asked and you don’t have them, your trip will be ruined. As someone wise once said, better safe than sorry.
For information on how to get a passport for your baby or child, go to the U.S. State Department's website.
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I will certainly look into that. Thanks for the info. Christine
Posted by: Christine Loomis | January 19, 2009 at 06:09 AM
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Posted by: Volunteer2009 | January 19, 2009 at 02:08 AM
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