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Can a grandparent take a grandchild on a plane?

Although you may never get asked for it, it is best to have a notarized letter of permission to travel with your grandchildren.



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Children under 18 aren't required to have identification for domestic trips. But to travel overseas, you'll need passports for your grandchildren, no matter how old they are. It's also wise to carry with you a notarized letter that grants you permission to travel with your grandchildren, signed by both parents.

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Children traveling with grandparents, cousins, other relatives, or school groups will need to have a signed document, such as a Child Travel Consent, allowing them to travel without a parent or legal guardian.

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A Child Travel Consent gives a minor child permission to travel without their parents or legal guardians. Use this form when your child needs to travel alone or with another adult, who is not their legal guardian (e.g., a grandparent, friend, or teacher).

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Children traveling with grandparents, cousins, other relatives, or school groups will need to have a signed document, such as a Child Travel Consent, allowing them to travel without a parent or legal guardian.

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While it's legal for grandparents to transport their grandchildren without a letter of permission, it's a safeguard against any potential emergencies or law enforcement issues. Getting the letter of permission notarized by a licensed official adds an extra layer of security to your document.

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Typically, minors under the age of 18 do not have to present identification for domestic U.S. travel. Airlines will accept identification from the responsible adult on behalf of the minor(s). For international travel, minors under the age of 18 must present the same travel documents as the adult.

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You'll need to fill out an unaccompanied minor form and any necessary Customs and Immigration documents for the day of departure. This form must remain with your child during their journey. At check-in, parents / guardians will also need to provide: A birth certificate or passport as proof of the child's age.

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Children traveling with grandparents, cousins, other relatives, or school groups will need to have a signed document, such as a Child Travel Consent, allowing them to travel without a parent or legal guardian.

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How do I write a consent letter for my child to travel?
  1. List your child's name, birth date/place, and passport details.
  2. Provide the parent's/guardian's name, custody information, and passport details.
  3. Add contact information for the non-traveling parents/guardians.
  4. Detail the child's destination and dates of travel.


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Proof of age is required upon request for all passengers. Although government-issued photo identification is preferred, passengers under 18 years old may use other documentation which includes their birthdate such as a birth certificate.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection recommends that any child under the age of 16 traveling without both legal guardians should have a notarized Child Travel Consent signed by both legal guardians. Having your Child Travel Consent notarized decreases the chance of travel authorities questioning its validity.

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Most U.S. airlines will permit children who have reached their fifth birthday to travel unaccompanied. Kids ages 5 through 11 who are flying alone must usually travel pursuant to special “unaccompanied minor” procedures. On some airlines, these procedures are required for unaccompanied children as old as 14.

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Most U.S. airlines will permit children who have reached their fifth birthday to travel unaccompanied. Kids ages 5 through 11 who are flying alone must usually travel pursuant to special “unaccompanied minor” procedures. On some airlines, these procedures are required for unaccompanied children as old as 14.

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Children. TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States.

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A child travel consent form allows a minor to travel alone or with another person or group.

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Travel Documents and Information
  1. Valid photo identification. ...
  2. Travel tickets (plane, train, bus; can be paper or electronic copies)
  3. Boarding passes.
  4. Reservation confirmations (rental car, hotel, pre-paid tickets for events; can be paper or electronic copies)
  5. Credit and debit cards. ...
  6. Cash.
  7. Emergency contact list.


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The TSA PreCheck® Application Program is only open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents. Applicants may be ineligible due to incomplete or false application information, certain violations of federal security regulations, or disqualifying criminal offenses and factors.

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The application fee for TSA PreCheck® is $78 for 5 years. Before you apply, we recommend that you review the various DHS trusted traveler programs, such as the TSA PreCheck® Application Program, Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements and determine the best program for you.

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