Sometimes children need to travel throughout the country or abroad without their parents. For example, they can go on a school trip together with their teacher or visit some summer schools or language courses.

If a child is under 18, they are not allowed to travel alone. In addition to that, if a child’s parents are divorced, and a minor is traveling with one of the parents, they will need to take care of some documents proving the other parent’s consent to it.

In this article, you will find the things you will have to take care of if you need to let your child travel alone.

Check with the airline

Rules on unaccompanied minors vary from airline to airline, so it is a good idea to check what requirements a particular air travel company has. Also, do not forget to find out if an airline charges additional fees for kids traveling without parents.

These fees are paid for such services as:

• Check-in
• Helping at stopovers if there is a connecting flight
• Providing a wristband that can track a child

Make sure you have the necessary documents

According to the law, minors must travel with a parent or legal guardian. Traveling with a legal guardian requires having a special form called a child travel consent form.

You need to include the following information in this form:

• The child’s name and surname
• When and where the child was born
• Passport number
• When and where the child is traveling, and when they are coming back
• The name of the person who is traveling with the child
• The contacts of people in case of emergency

The form has to be signed by both parents and the guardian and then notarized.

Do not forget to take care of the documentation related to health and medicine, such as medical insurance, a HIPPA form (which allows access to medical records), and a medical consent form.

Some travel tips

Before your child takes a flight, try to talk with them and guide them through the process from the beginning to the end. Children should not be scared or feel confused, and awareness of every step of their journey can help reduce anxiety.

Make sure that your kid knows, or at least can find the information on a flight number, point of destination, and the people who will pick them up after they arrive.

Make use of different electronic devices that will allow you to track your child’s itinerary. And, to be on the safe side, choose non-stop flights departing early in the morning, and do not buy last-minute deals as they are likely to be delayed or canceled.