If a child is traveling without a parent or legal guardian, what paperwork should the adult have to indicate permission or legal authority to have that child in their care?
Adults traveling in or out of the United States with children under the age of 18 should be aware that because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, the accompanying adult have a note from both of the child’s parents stating: “I acknowledge that (leader’s name) is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter. He/she has my permission to do so.” CBP also suggests that this note be notarized.
