What documents does my mother-in-law need to travel with our toddler?

Question

We are going on a cross-country trip to Boston in a couple weeks. My daughter will be flying with my Mother-in-law two days beforehand. What documents do we need to prepare for her so that she will be able to travel with her. My daughter will be a couple weeks shy of her second birthday.

We were thinking about giving her a copy of her birth certificate, a letter from us that says she has permission to travel with her, and a copy of our health insurance card. Does this sound like all that we need?

Answer 1

We also have a special document set up for emergency health care that we give to all the members of our family who may be caring for our kids. Its called the "Authorization for Third Party to Consent to Treatment of Minor" and it basically says that you, the parents, give permission for your child to be taken to an emergency room, etc. It lists specifically that the people you are designating (your mother-in-law) are allowed to consent on your behalf for your child to have x-rays, anesthetic, and any medical or dental services that may be required. If you want, you can add the provision of the Family Code Law that it falls under (Code Section 6910), and this states that after the child receives treatment that he/she be allowed back into the custody of the person who took them in (your mom-in-law), that way you don't have to fly wherever it may be to pick up your child. At the bottom of our statements for our family, we list all the names of our designated agents (family members we have given the release form to) and sign and date the bottom. This is just a good thing to have when your child travels with someone other than the parents. You never know what may happen, and accidents can't be forseen. Many doctor's offices and emergency rooms will not allow someone other than the parents to admit a minor child to the hospital (unless you have something stating specifically the person is allowed to). You may also want to include a copy of her immunization records and a list of any specific medication or food allergies your child may have. I also highly recommend making up an emergency card for your child on your computer. Put vital statistics: name, age, birthdate, height, weight, any identifiable birthmarks, hair and eye color, etc. along with a current photo of your child's face. I also make mine with a spot for the thumb print (you can do it at home with just some black stamp ink). This could be used to give to security to easily identify your child in case your child accidently got separated from her grandma (airports are busy places). We take ours with us to amusement parks like Disneyland. It's only about 3x6 inches, so it fits in a wallet. It just helps give us a piece-of-mind that it is one less thing we will have to try to recall if our child is lost and we are going crazy looking for them. I also always take a photo of my kids before we leave, to note the specific clothing they are wearing that day. The more info you can have to give to police, etc as quickly as possible will be the most help to find your child fast. Last thing... I always have my kids wear bracelets with their name and me and my husband's cell phone #'s on them when we go somewhere with lots of people and confusion. At least then someone can call you or page over the PA system with your child's name.

Answer 2

You might want to check with an attorney. Your mother-in-law will need the actual card from the insurance on your daughter over a copy - a lot places will not accept that. You can call your insurance company and request a duplicate card for your mother-in-law to carry. You will need a notarized paper that says that your mother-in-law has temporary custody of your daughter during the flight so that should something happen to her your mother-in-law can authorize care for her (ie emergency care). As for anything else, check with the attorney, he/she can lead you in the right direction.

Answer 3

My daughter flew with her grandparents last summer without us and we gave them several things to have on hand as far as documentation goes. We gave them her actual social security card as well as insurance card. We wrote a letter and signed it saying they could seek medical attention in the event of an emergency, we did not have it notarized. We also made up a photo ID on our computer. On it we put the most recent head shot photo of our daughter, her full name, weight, height, sex, date of birth, hair and eye color, our names, address, phone number, and the date we made the ID on the front of the ID. On the back we listed any birthmarks or identifying marks, health issues or allergies, her grandparents' names and phone number, and her thumb print. This would not be considered a legal ID by any means, but it would provide basic info in the event anything were to happen. We put everything in one envelope all together so they wouldn't have to go searching for it if they needed it. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Those were all of the things I was going to say. My husband and I are foster parents, and we need those all to travel (plus a letter from the state for emergency medical treatment). You want to make sure, too, that the letter you send specifically states that she can be medically treated in the case of an emergency. Also a good idea to call the airline they are flying with to see if there is anything specific they'd require to allow her on the plane with her grandmother instead of parents.

Answer 5

no dog with a bite history should be rehomed. All you will be doing is putting that burden onto another family. What if the dog bites a child at it's new home? Just because it's a small dog doesnt mean it cant do damage. IMO any dog that show human aggresion while unprovoked should be put down. If that's not an option then pay for a behaviorist and see what they tell you.

Answer 6

you might also want to get a medical release.. which is just a letter from you giving permission in case of a medical emergency that your mother-in-law can give the OK for treatment and i would get it notarized Have a nice trip!!

Answer 7

You might need to have any letters notarized. Call the courthouse. They might be able to direct you to someone that could give you better answers.

You are fortunate to have a mother-in-law that you trust with your daughter. I have a mother-in-law from hell!!

Answer 8

couldn't you get in contact with the airline company that your daughter and mother-in-law are flying with and see if they have any requirements or documents they need to see. they may need to see her birth certificate etc

Answer 9

sounds good, but i would check with your child's doctor and a lawyer just to be sure, your letter should be notarized and add a copy of your marriage license and or your husbands birth certificate- that ties is all her birth cert has your husbands name and your marriage licence or birth certificate has your husbands name and hers

Answer 10

That sounds like enough information, but I would have the letter notorized and signed by the notary so that they know that it is official. Good luck!