can one parent travel to usa with child

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International travel documents for children

See what documents a child needs to travel to or from the U.S. alone or with a parent or relative.

Children traveling to the U.S.

All children, including infants, must have their own travel documents such as a passport or document from a Trusted Traveler Program to enter the U.S. If you travel or are going to travel with a child, consider taking the following documents:

If the child is traveling with only one of their custodial parents, they must have a letter of consent, preferably in English and notarized, from the other parent or signed by both parents. The letter should say "I acknowledge that my son/daughter is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission."
If one parent has sole custody of the child, a copy of the custody document can take the place of the other parent's letter.
Parents who frequently cross the border by land with a minor must always carry a letter of permission from the other parent.

U.S. citizen children traveling abroad

Ports of entry in many countries have security measures to prevent international child abduction . If you are traveling alone with your child, you may be required to present documentation proving you are the parent or legal guardian. You may also need a letter of permission from the other parent for your child to travel.

If your child travels alone, depending on the country, they may be required to present a notarized letter from both parents or their legal guardian. If a minor is traveling abroad and is not accompanied by both parents or a legal guardian, contact the embassy or consulate of the country you will be visiting and ask about entry and exit requirements for that country.

LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023

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Is your kid's friend coming on vacation with you? Get written consent from their parents first.

Years ago, while we were guardians of her niece, my wife and I found that traveling with two kids is easier than traveling with one. Whether cousins or friends, two kids keep each other engaged and let adults have a little more vacation on their spring break , winter getaway or summer vacation . That’s why we often invited one of our niece’s friends to accompany us when we took a family cruise or visited our favorite family vacation spots .

But traveling with someone else’s child should include a series of extra pre-travel steps to make it wholly clear to authorities that you have permission from the child’s parents. This is when a letter of permission to travel or a child travel consent form is vital.

The reason authorities may request it is important: A permission letter for a child to travel with a friend is a simple way for authorities to make sure you aren’t illegally trying to avoid some custody order, parentage or guardianship issue, or worse.

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Who needs a child travel consent form?

If you’re flying or traveling outside the U.S., your airline or destination country might ask for some identification to prove a child has permission to travel with you. The need for ID can also crop up on a domestic road trip . Even if a government official doesn’t ask to see it, you might still need it for a local tourist attraction or excursion requiring a consent form.

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It’s a good idea to have some kind of letter of permission to travel in a variety of cases (and not just with young kids, but also when vacationing with teenagers ). If your family is hosting a child’s friend on vacation it’s always good, especially if it involves flying with kids or international travel, to make sure you get a permission letter for a child to travel with a friend. Be sure to arrive at the airport early in situations where a child consent form is required.

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It’s also smart to have some kind of documentation if you’re in a situation in which your child is traveling with one parent internationally, if a child is traveling with grandparents internationally or with another family member, or if a child is traveling with one divorced parent.

How do you get a child travel consent form?

The need for child consent forms feels vague right up until the moment an authority asks to see it. There’s no definitive version of the form, but that doesn’t mean they’re not important to have.

Since there aren’t any official child travel consent forms, you’ll have to make up your own.

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A letter of permission to travel doesn’t have to be long. It simply needs to state that the child’s parents or guardians acknowledge and give consent for their child to travel with a specific individual. It should include:

The child’s name, birthplace, birth date, home address, phone number and, in the case of international travel, their passport number.
The names and contact information for the non-traveling parent(s).
Who the child has permission to travel with (name and passport information), the dates of the travel window (to clearly show that consent is temporary) and the destinations that will be visited.

The U.S. Customs and Border Control says, “Unless the child is accompanied by both parents, the child must have a notarized letter from the other parent or signed by both parents stating, ‘I acknowledge that my son/daughter is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission.’”

If you’re not up for creating one, you can find and print out child travel consent form PDFs online. Just be sure the one you choose matches your situation. The site eForms has a free customizable template that’s simple to complete and LawDepot has a travel consent form that’s specific to a child traveling with one parent.

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Some countries require that child travel consent forms be notarized, so it’s a good idea to take the extra step and sign the minor travel permission letter in front of a notary. It’s a few extra dollars, but, for international travel in particular, it can be important.

Is a child travel consent form really required?

While you might not ever have to produce any such paperwork, many countries (including the U.S.) require you to have a child travel consent form on hand if asked while traveling with someone else’s child, or even your own child if all parents or guardians are not present. A letter of travel permission may feel like an added chore in a long list of trip preparations, but you don’t want to risk not having it when you need it.

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Allowing kids to bring friends on vacation keeps them happy and engaged and gives grown-ups the chance to relax, since they won’t be their child’s only playmate on vacation. Traveling with a child consent form can ensure a smoother journey and add peace of mind for all parties.

Free Minor Travel Consent Form

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Minor choosing travel destination on world map

A minor travel consent form is a legal document, signed by a child's parents and/or legal guardians, giving permission for the child to travel with another adult. Any time a child travels abroad without both parents and/or legal guardians, U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires the child to have this written permission.

This document is particularly important in international travel situations. It can be used to establish guardianship whether the child is traveling abroad with only one parent or with another trusted adult, such as a family member, friend, or educator.

In today's world, where concerns about child safety are paramount-especially when it comes to child abduction, custody disputes, and human trafficking-a minor travel consent form serves as a protective measure. It provides clear, legally binding, written permission that can be verified by immigration officials, airline staff, or travel companies, to make sure that the child's travel is both safe and authorized.

Without this form, travel may be delayed or denied. Domestic and international authorities need to be able confirm the child's guardianship and obtain the necessary permissions before allowing the child to travel onward.

How to Use the Minor Travel Consent Form

The form available below is a comprehensive template, designed to be easily copy/pasted and adapted in a word processor like Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

Given the critical nature of this document, we also provide a downloadable minor travel consent form in PDF format for your convenience.

It's important to note that while this sample form is a valuable starting point, it should be tailored to fit the specific details and circumstances of your child's travel.

Also be advised that this form does not replace a legal power of attorney document that could be used to make critical medical care decisions on behalf of a child.

This form is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that this form remains current with travel and child safety best practices, reflecting our commitment to providing reliable and authoritative travel resources.

Screenshot of the free minor travel consent form from U.S. Passport Service Guide

The Legal Implications of Traveling Without a Minor Consent Form

While the minor travel consent form is not a universally required legal document, a child traveling without one can lead to serious complications in many countries. Different nations have their own regulations regarding child travel. Being uninformed or unprepared can quickly lead to distressing situations for both you and your child.

1. International Legal Considerations:

Country-Specific Requirements Vary: Each country has its own set of rules regarding minors traveling without their parents. For instance, some countries in Europe may require additional documentation, such as a birth certificate or a parental authorization letter, in addition to the travel consent form. You need to be sure your child and their traveling companion(s) comply with all of the requirements for each country they plan to travel to and through.
Risk of Travel Disruption: Without a consent form, minors traveling abroad may face delays or even denied entry at border control checkpoints. This can lead to missed transportation departures and costly changes to your travel itinerary.
Embassy and Consulate Involvement: In cases where a minor is detained due to lack of proper documentation, the local embassy or consulate of the child's home country may need to be involved. This can lead to complex legal situations that take significant amounts of tame and/or money to solve.

2. Domestic Legal Implications:

Airline and Transportation Policies: Within the United States, airlines and other transportation services have specific policies regarding unaccompanied minors (more on this later). Lack of a consent form, even for domestic travel, can result in the child being denied boarding.
Legal Custody Disputes: In cases of separated or divorced parents, traveling without a consent form can raise legal issues related to custody agreements. It's crucial to understand and adhere to the legal requirements stipulated in custody arrangements to avoid legal repercussions.

A minor travel consent form can help you avoid many of these situations. Before traveling, be sure to research the specific travel requirements of the destination country regarding minor travel. In addition to the resources provided on this site, this can also be done through a country's embassy website or by consulting with travel experts like registered passport expediting services .

In complex situations, such as shared custody or special travel circumstances, consulting with a legal expert can provide clarity and ensure compliance with both domestic and international laws.

Minor Travel Consent Form Notary Requirements

We strongly recommend that you have any child travel consent form notarized. This can prevent issues establishing the authority and credibility of your documentation.

It can be challenging to find and secure the services of a notary in person. Thankfully, it is possible to use an online notary service to notarize your minor travel consent form. This can save you serious time and stress.

We recommend using NotaryLive , a fully-secure, online notirization platform with an "Excellent" rating from TrustPilot . NotaryLive is fast, affordable, and fully compliant with state law, so you can be sure your notarized minor travel consent form is both legal and valid.

Unaccompanied Minors

Airlines have general rules about the ages and circumstances where children can fly alone, too. There are also usually additional fees that come with buying a ticket for a minor that will be traveling without an adult. As part of that extra cost, many airlines offer some additional supervisory and support services to be sure the traveling child is safe and comfortable while traveling on their own.

For more, check out our guide to unaccompanied minors traveling internationally . There, you will find details about the considerations, accommodations, and policies that apply to kids traveling internationally without an adult parent or guardian.

More Tips for Parents of Minors Traveling Abroad

Besides proper documentation, there are other ways to help a child have a safe international trip. Any time your child is traveling without you, give yourself peace of mind by taking these proactive steps.

Be Proactive In Shared Custody Situations

Parents who share custody of their children should each carry copies of the legal custody documents. You can also contact the embassy of the country or countries the minor child will be visiting to confirm travel entry requirements. This proactive step can help avoid issues at border crossings and during the child's stay abroad.

A simple notarized statement, such as the one below, should suffince in most cases.

"I, [PARENT NAME] acknowledge that [SPOUSE NAME] is traveling out of the country with my [SON/DAUGHTER] whom we share custody of. This authorization gives [SPOUSE NAME] my full permission to do so.

Use a GPS Tracker to Keep Track of Your Child While Abroad

GPS technology makes it possible to pinpoint a person's exact location, anywhere in the world. If your child is traveling without you, it makes sense to keep a GPS tracker on their person so that you know where they are. You can also use additional trackers to help keep tabs on your child's luggage or other valuables.

Apple AirTags are small, inexpensive GPS tags that can be purchased individually or in packs of 4 . They use bluetooth connectivity and the vast number of Apple users across the globe to create a reliable GPS tracking network. Using your iPhone or Apple device, you can ping any AirTag that is linked to your AppleID and locate it quickly. Thanks to its small size, an AirTag can easily be tucked into luggage, sewn into a child's clothing, or stashed in a travel wallet.
JioBit is an all-in-one GPS tracking system specifically designed for tracking your child. While it is more expensive than Apple AirTags, JioBit is a durable and secure alternative-particularly useful for those who don't already have an Apple device.

Use a Parent-Controlled Debit Card

Traveling costs add up. Everything from food, transportation, lodging, and fun comes with a price. If your child is traveling without you, you want to be sure they have the money they need, but also that it is being protected.

There are a number of debit cards that allow parents to keep an eye on their child's spending as well as their remaining balance. Should your child and their card become separated, you have the ability to prevent unauthorized purchases and possibly even get a replacement sent to wherever your child is staying.

Traveling with minors requires careful planning and a strict adherence to both American and international laws. This guide and the minor travel consent form we have shared are designed to provide you with the necessary information and tools to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey for your child. Whether your child is traveling with a guardian, as part of a group, or alone, the right preparation can make all the difference.

Remember, the safety and well-being of your child are paramount. By staying informed about the latest travel regulations and using our resources, you can confidently prepare for your child's next trip. If you have any further questions or need personalized advice, our team of travel experts is always here to assist you. Safe travels!

U.S. Passport Service Guide - Who we are

For over 20 years, U.S. Passport Service Guide has helped American citizens understand and navigate the passport application process. We use our expertise and experience to help travelers get United States passports quickly and efficiently.

Our website currently receives over half a million visitors a month. We are committed to going the "extra mile" for all of our readers. Both passport officials and website visitors frequently write to express gratitude for the assistance we provide.

Please contact us if you have any travel related questions - especially ones about passports and visa expediting. We usually respond to e-mails within 24 hours, oftentimes the same day. We are committed to working with you until you get the answer you need.

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For U.S. Citizens/Lawful Permanent Residents
Know Before You Go

Before Your Trip

Booking your tickets.

Match Names on Tickets and Documents

Purchase your travel tickets in the exact same name that appears on your passport or official ID. Ensure that all travel documents match that name precisely.

If the names don't match, your travel carrier or the Transportation Security Administration may require additional documents to verify your identity before allowing you to board.

Each Country is Different

Learn the required travel documents for each country you will visit. Find out about specific travel warnings, U.S. import restrictions, and other rules that apply to the countries on your itinerary by visiting www.state.gov/travelers .

Find the latest on making your return to the United States problem free - go to www.cbp.gov/travel .

Documents You Will Need

Carry - do not pack - all travel documents.

All U.S. citizens need U.S. passport books if re-entering by air. Land and sea border crossings accept additional travel documents, such as U.S. Passport cards and Trusted Traveler cards. Child travelers have additional options - see the Traveling with Children section.
Green card (Form I-551), or document for lawful permanent residents, or advance parole (Form I-512) if your Form I-551 is pending.
A visa or other entry document for the countries you will visit.
Receipts or registration ( CBP Form 4457 ) for new electronics, such as a camera or laptop, that you are taking abroad. (Only suggested if the goods are less than six months old.)
Proof of rabies vaccination for dogs traveling abroad. Check the requirements for other pets at www.aphis.usda.gov .
Valid license for driving overseas and for use as a second form of photo ID.
Permits and/or certificates if bringing restricted animal or plant products - go to www.aphis.usda.gov .
Medications in their original packages. Bring only the amount of medication you will need. Prescription medications have to be under the traveler's name.
Envelope to hold the receipts of your purchases abroad.

Traveling with Children

When U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 arrive by land or sea from Canada or Mexico they may present an original or copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate.

Groups of Children: U.S. citizen children under the age of 19 arriving by land or sea from Canada or Mexico and traveling with a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization or sports team, may present an original or copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate. The group should have a letter on organizational letterhead with:

The name of the group and supervising adult(s).
The names of the children on the trip and their primary address, phone number, date and place of birth, and name of at least one parent or legal guardian for each child.
A written and signed statement of the supervising adult certifying that he or she has parental or legal guardian consent for each child.

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Required documents when traveling internationally with kids by suzanne rowan kelleher, ask the expert.

Question : We are about to take our first blended family vacation to Mexico . It will be me and my son with my boyfriend and his son. We all have our passports, but since our children’s other biological parents are not accompanying us, is there anything else that we might need to have? We are worried about customs both in Mexico and the US. Thank you! – Nicole from Avon Lake, OH

Answer : Concerns about child abductions have made governments around the world very cautious when one parent is traveling with a minor child to a foreign destination. Besides your passports, you should bring written consent from your child’s other biological parent plus your child’s birth certificate. Many countries require that the consent document be witnessed and notarized. Yet the specific rules about documentation differ from country to country, so you should check the US State Department International Travel page for information about the requirements for your destination country.

From my own personal experience, I know that customs and border agents take this very seriously. A few years ago my kids and I were returning home by car after visiting the Canadian side of Niagara Falls . The US border agent asked to see my passport and my children’s birth certificates, then looked into the backseat of my car and asked my youngest son (age 5 at the time) who I was. Next, he asked my other son (then age 8) for his full name and my first name. Because the agent handled it with humor, my kids thought it was exciting and not at all scary.

Here’s an excerpt from the State Department’s page about traveling to Mexico with minor children:

Know what travel documents you need before jetting off to paradise in Mexico.

“Mexican law requires that any non-Mexican citizen under the age of 18 departing Mexico must carry notarized written permission from any parent or guardian not traveling with the child to or from Mexico. This permission must include the name of the parent, the name of the child, the name of anyone traveling with the child, and the notarized signature(s) of the absent parent(s). The State Department recommends that the permission should include travel dates, destinations, airlines and a brief summary of the circumstances surrounding the travel. The child must be carrying the original letter—not a facsimile or scanned copy—as well as proof of the parent/child relationship (usually a birth certificate or court document) and an original custody decree, if applicable.”

I know of several sites where you can purchase the necessary travel forms for a fee, and others that let you download or print free parental consent forms . I hope this helps you get started gathering what you need.

( MORE: Look for kid-friendly hotels to stay in Cancun.)

Lastly, I trust that you are aware of the US State Department’s travel warning for Mexico due to violence in the Northern region of the country near the US border. I assume that you will be visiting one of the many tourist destinations, such as Cancun and the Riviera Maya , that are very far from the area affected by violence. But it is a good idea to read the warning and be aware of the situation.

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Required Documents for International Travel With Minors

Traveling with kids outside your home country? In general, each adult in your party will need a passport , and minor children will need either passports or original birth certificates.

Documentation requirements become more complicated when one parent or guardian is traveling alone with a minor. In general, besides your passport, you should bring written consent from the child’s biological parent(s) along with the child’s birth certificate. Many countries require that the consent document be witnessed and notarized. Several websites let you download or print free parental consent forms .

Country-Specific Rules

Be aware that specific rules about documentation can differ substantially from country to country. You should check the US State Department International Travel website for information about requirements for your destination country. Find your destination country, then the tab for "Entry, Exit, & Visa Requirements," then scroll down to "Travel with Minors."

These excerpts regarding Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas (a popular port of call on Caribbean cruises) are good points of reference and demonstrate how varied the rules can be:

“If you plan to travel to Canada with a minor who is not your own child or for whom you do not have full legal custody, CBSA may require you to present a notarized affidavit of consent from the minor’s parents. Please refer to the CBSA website for more details. There is no specific form for this document, but it should include dates of travel, parents’ names, and photocopies of their state-issued IDs.”

“Effective January 2, 2014, under Mexican law travel by minors (under 18 years of age) must show proof of parental/guardian permission to exit Mexico. This regulation applies if the minor is traveling by air or sea; traveling alone or with a third party of legal age (grandparent, uncle/aunt, school group, etc.); and using Mexican documents (birth certificate, passport, temporary or permanent Mexican residency).

"The minor is required to present a notarized document showing the consent to travel from both parents (or those with parental authority or legal guardianship), in addition to a passport, in order to leave Mexico. The document should be in Spanish; an English version must be accompanied by a Spanish translation. The document must be notarized or apostilled. The minor should carry the original letter (not a facsimile or scanned copy) as well as proof of the parent/child relationship (birth certificate or court document such as a custody decree, plus photocopies of both parents’ government-issued identification).

"According to INM, this regulation does NOT apply to a minor traveling with one parent or legal guardian, i.e., a consent letter from the missing parent is NOT required. In addition, the regulation is not intended to apply to dual national minors (Mexican plus another nationality) if the minor is departing Mexico using the passport of the other nationality. However, if the minor is departing Mexico using the Mexican passport, the regulation does apply. The Embassy nevertheless recommends that dual nationals travel prepared with a consent letter from both parents.

"The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City has received numerous reports of U.S. citizens being required to provide notarized consent forms for circumstances falling outside of the categories listed above, and/or being asked for such permission at land border crossings. Therefore, the Embassy recommends all minors traveling without both parents carry a notarized consent letter at all times in the event airline or Mexican immigration representatives request one.

"Travelers should contact the Mexican Embassy, the nearest Mexican consulate, or INM for more information.”

The Bahamas

“Minors traveling unaccompanied or accompanied by a guardian or chaperone: What is required to enter The Bahamas may vary greatly from what is required to re-enter the country of origin. In general, a child under 16 years of age may travel into the Bahamas merely with proof of citizenship. Proof of citizenship can be a raised seal birth certificate and preferably a government-issued photo ID if on a closed-loop cruise or a U.S. passport if entering by air or private vessel.

"The Bahamas requires compliance with regulations to divert child abduction. Any child traveling without one of the parents listed upon the birth certificate must have a letter from the absent parent granting permission for the child to travel. This should be sworn before a notary public and signed by the absent parent(s). If the parent is deceased, a certified death certificate may be necessary.

"It is advisable to have the minor carry a written notarized consent letter from both parents (if both are listed on the child’s certificate of birth) before sending your child to travel as a minor with a guardian or chaperone.”

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In the News

Travelling Alone With Your Child to the United States

The land border between Canada and the United States reopened on November 8 for non-essential travel. You may want to take advantage of this opportunity to travel with your children. But can you leave the country with your child without talking to your former spouse? What happens if they say no? And does your child need to be vaccinated against COVID-19?

The other parent must consent to the trip

You and the other parent must normally agree that your child can travel with you to the United States. To avoid possible trouble, you can ask the other parent to sign a consent letter. This letter states that they allow your child to travel with you abroad.

For more information on the consent letter, see the Government of Canada’s Frequently Asked Questions or the recommended consent letter on the Government of Canada website.

When no agreement is possible, you can try mediation with the other parent so that the mediator can help you find a solution that works for everyone. You can also apply to the Superior Court of Quebec for permission to travel alone with your child.

Flying? Don’t forget your passports!

If you are travelling by airplane, you and your child must have a valid passport to travel to the United States. The rule is the same whether your child is an infant or a newborn. You and the other parent must normally agree when one of you wants to apply for or renew your child’s passport.

If you are travelling by car, a copy of your child’s birth certificate is acceptable.

Specific rules during COVID-19

To enter the US, you must normally be fully vaccinated and have recognized proof of vaccination.

However, for your child, the rules are different. For example, if you are traveling by air, your minor child is not required to be vaccinated. However, if your child is 2 years old or older, they must have proof of a negative viral test from a sample taken one day before departure.

For more information on travel rules related to COVID-19, you may wish to consult:

Guidance for travelling to the US from the Government of Canada
Travel Restrictions Fact Sheet from the U.S. Embassy

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If you’re a solo parent traveling internationally with your kids, be ready for this question

Traveling safely in a post-pandemic world will require thoughtful planning, including research into coronavirus vaccination rates in the places you’ll be visiting. If you’re a parent taking an international trip solo with kids, you should also research laws related to children and travel in your destinations, as I learned on my family’s last pre-pandemic journey.

It was January 2020. My daughters and I were at the passport control counter inside the Frankfurt, Germany, airport, eager to board our flight home to the United States. Normally my husband travels with us, but this time was different: He was staying in Germany a few days longer for a work trip we had combined with a family vacation.

The unsmiling agent thumbed through our passports, peered at us and asked a question that left me dumbfounded: “Where is the father of the children?” My cheeks burning, I stammered my explanation. The agent waved us along, but I felt shaken and defensive. As a U.S. citizen, I had always traveled freely with my kids — now ages 9 and 11 — and had never been asked to explain where their other parent was. Did I look suspicious because my daughters’ eyes are blue and mine are brown? Was the agent making a judgment about my ability to parent without a husband?

I later discovered that a lot of parents traveling alone with their kids have experienced similar questioning on international trips, and many of us — even seasoned travelers — were caught off-guard by it. But you can be prepared for any questioning and now would be a good time to start gathering the documentation you’ll need and researching identification requirements at potential destinations.

Understand safety is the goal

Solo parents aren’t the only travelers noticing increased scrutiny. “All border crossings have become more difficult over the past few years,” says Erin Barbato , a clinical professor and director of the Immigrant Justice Clinic at the University of Wisconsin Law School. From political unrest to the global pandemic, different forces have added complexity to international travel. In this environment, we need to expect that agents may ask more questions, Barbato says.

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While border security has become more intense in general, adults traveling alone with children face extra questioning for a specific reason: to make sure kids are safe. “The number of children internationally trafficked every year is pretty astounding,” Barbato says. In 2016, 10 million children under age 18 were victims of forced labor or forced marriage, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO) and Walk Free Foundation. Children are also at risk in households with severe marital discord. International parental kidnapping occurs when a parent takes a child to a different country in violation of another parent’s custodial rights. The U.S. Department of State reports that 485 such cases were opened in 2019.

Get the right documentation

My kids and I had U.S. passports for our Germany trip, and I assumed they were all we needed. But in hindsight, I had no documents proving I was my children’s mother — and I could have been detained for a secondary inspection if the agent had concerns about my credibility.

You can obtain or make copies of documents that will lower the likelihood of problems. Both Barbato and U.S. Customs and Border Protection recommend that solo parents always carry a letter — preferably notarized and updated annually — communicating the other parent’s consent to travel with the children. Birth certificates or adoption records are also a good idea.

If a mother has changed her surname following a child’s birth or adoption, it’s important to bring that supporting documentation as well. If no other parent is legally involved, the traveling adult should pack relevant paperwork such as sole legal custody documentation, a death certificate or the birth certificate listing only one parent.

It’s best to have certified copies of all of the above, as well as electronic versions of your documents, and to pack extra copies in different suitcases.

Traveling with kids during the pandemic

Barbato counsels that questioning can be more intense for parents whose surname or skin color is different from their children’s. Lucy Jordan, a British writer living in Brazil with her family, experienced this firsthand. Jordan kept her birth name after getting married; her children have her husband’s last name. In 2016, Jordan was traveling alone with her infant son on the Eurostar train from Paris to London. Like me, she had packed passports but no other documentation.

A border agent inspected the passports, immediately noticed the different surnames, and asked how Jordan could prove she was the mother. Stunned, Jordan said, “I could breastfeed him for you if you want.”

The agent continued to question her but stopped when Jordan suggested calling the American Embassy in Paris, where her husband was then stationed as a diplomat. “If I hadn’t had that backup, I don’t know if they would have let me through,” Jordan says.

Jordan prepares a bit differently these days for solo travel with her son, now 5, and 2-year-old daughter by carrying passports, birth certificates and a letter of consent from her spouse. Border agents still question her, but the encounters go smoothly.

Plan for contingencies

Because every country has different laws and guidelines for children traveling internationally, “parents really need to do their research and make sure they review the policies for each specific country they’ll be traveling to,” Barbato says. There’s no central place to find this information, so expect to do a little digging online.

Barbato recommends making sure a friend or family member you’re not traveling with knows your itinerary and when you’re expected to arrive at your destination. Ask your contact to be available via phone during your travel day.

Talk with kids in advance

Children old enough to carry on a conversation may be surprised when agents ask them questions. On another overseas trip, my normally talkative tween suddenly became shy when an officer asked who her parents were.

“You can explain to your kids why questioning might happen,” Barbato says. “The officers are just doing their job to make sure that every child is safe in the world.” Let your kids know it’s okay to say whom they’re traveling with, and that agents may ask where the other parent is.

MacKenzie Passegger is an American citizen living in Austria, where she is married to an Austrian and works as a social media manager. A few times per year, Passegger flies home to the United States with her children while her husband remains behind for work. Passegger has learned to expect a lot of questions from airport passport agents who sometimes want to speak with her preschooler as well. She prepares her daughter by telling her, “They’re probably going to ask where your dad is. Do you know where he’s at?”

Help kids understand that the passport counter isn’t the place to goof around — there will be plenty of time for that later on the trip. Remind children that it’s important to answer to their names if agents ask.

Stay calm and polite

It’s natural to feel startled, nervous and irritated when a uniformed stranger questions your family relationships — especially before or after a lengthy overseas trip. But you’ll stay calmer if you know you have the right documents easily at hand and if you keep in mind that such measures aren’t meant to judge or disparage you.

Passegger has found that her experiences go more smoothly when she makes eye contact and offers answers to potential questions — like where her family will be traveling and for how long — before agents ask.

“Traveling with kids is stressful. You’re already on edge,” Passegger says. “But it’s really important just to stay calm when agents ask you a question that catches you off-guard.”

Rich is a writer based in Wisconsin. Her website is lovehopeandcoffee.com . Find her on Twitter ( @GinaRichWriter ) and Instagram ( @lovehopeandcoffee ).

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Traveling with Children

All passengers are required to undergo screening. However, TSA has developed modified screening procedures for children who appear to be 12 years old and younger. TSA officers will consult parents or the traveling guardian about the child’s screening.

TSA standard screening procedures apply for children 13 years and older. Carry-on property of all passengers, regardless of age, must be screened. All passengers who alarm will undergo additional screening.

Children with Medical Conditions, Disabilities, or Mobility Aids

Inform the TSA officer if the child has a disability, medical condition or medical device.

Let the TSA officer know if your child is able to walk through the metal detector or needs to be carried through the metal detector by a parent/guardian. You may carry your child through the WTMD. The TSA officer will not remove your child from their mobility aid, wheelchair or scooter.

Request Assistance

TSA Cares provides information to passengers with disabilities, medical conditions and those that need additional assistance to better prepare for the security screening process. Call TSA Cares 72 hours prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. You may also call to request assistance at the checkpoint.

Liquid Formula, Breast Milk, Toddler Drinks, and Baby/Toddler food (to include puree pouches)

Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) are considered medically necessary liquids. This also applies to breast milk and formula cooling accessories, such as ice packs, freezer packs and gel packs (regardless of presence of breast milk). Your child or infant does not need to be present or traveling with you to bring breast milk, formula and/or related supplies.

Inform the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process that you are carrying formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in excess of 3.4 ounces. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from your other belongings. TSA officers may need to test the liquids for explosives or concealed prohibited items.

It’s helpful to the officers when formula and breast milk are in clear, translucent bottles and not plastic bags or pouches. Liquids in plastic bags or pouches may not be able to be screened by Bottle Liquid Scanners, and you may be asked to open them (if feasible) for alternate screening such as Explosive Trace Detection and Vapor Analysis for the presence of liquid explosives. Screening will never include placing anything into the medically necessary liquid.

TSA X-ray machines are not harmful to food or medicines. However, if you do not want the formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) to be X-rayed or opened, please inform the TSA officer. Additional steps will be taken to resolve alarms. You or the traveling guardian will undergo additional screening procedures, to include Advanced Imaging Technology screening and additional/enhanced screening of other carry-on property.

Ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs and other accessories required to cool formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) – regardless of the presence of breast milk – are also allowed in carry-ons, along with liquid-filled teethers. If these items are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the same screening as described above.

Passengers requiring special accommodations or concerned about the security screening process at the airport may request assistance by contacting TSA Cares or by phone at (855) 787-2227.

Screening of Children’s Items

Place all carry-on baggage such as children's toys, bags and blankets on the X-ray belt for screening.
Strollers, umbrella-strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats and backpacks must be screened by X-ray.
Place items in the stroller pockets or baskets, in a carry-on bag or on the X-ray belt for screening.
Equipment that does not fit through the X-ray machine will undergo a visual/physical inspection by TSA officers.

Screening Technology

Walk-Through Metal Detector

Children able to walk through the metal detector without assistance may do so separately from their parent or guardian. If they alarm, children are allowed multiple passes through screening technologies and may undergo other procedures to resolve the alarm to reduce the need for a pat-down. Infants and small children may be carried through the metal detector. Should the alarm sound, additional screening is required.

Advanced Imaging Technology

If your child is able to remain standing in the required position for 5 seconds, he or she may be screened through the advanced imaging technology. If a child 12 and under goes through the machine and alarms, they have an opportunity to go through again or the TSA officer may use other procedures to resolve the alarm to reduce the need for a pat-down.

You may not be screened by this technology when carrying an infant or child.

Screening your Child

Children 12 and under can leave their shoes, light jackets and headwear on during screening. For AIT screening, light jackets must be removed and placed on the X-ray belt.
Children will not be separated from their parent/guardian.
Remove infants and children from strollers and car seats and carry them in arms through the walk-through metal detector.
Infants may be carried in a sling/carrier (to include lap baby) through the walk-through metal detector or when being screened in a wheelchair, but may be subject to additional screening
Modified screening procedures are in place to reduce the likelihood of a pat-down.

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Do Parents Need Permission from the other parent to Take their Children on an International Vacation?

Parental permissions for international travel with another parent.

One parent wants to take the child out of the country , and the question presents itself whether that parent needs permission of the other parent to go.

The above depends upon what custody agreement is already in place, or the permission granted to each parent by the other parent. If there is no divorce agreement or prior Order of the Court, the problems become greater and either written permission is needed, or a court proceeding must be imitated to allow that travel.

Does Your Custody Agreement Address the Issue of Travel?

Sometimes court-approved custody agreements address travel. This can be the case if one parent has primary custody or if both parents share custody.

Vacation clauses in custody agreements might set limits on what parents can and cannot do or they might provide instructions for notice of travel. For instance, one parent might be required to notify the other parent concerning all out-of-state travel or to get permission before traveling out-of-state with the child, or no such provision exists.

If permission is not granted by the non-traveling parent, court permission would be required for the traveling parent to legally take the child out of the state, and the parent could petition the court.

If there is nothing in the custody agreement that addresses travel or vacations, or there is no divorce or agreement, either parent would have permission to take the child out of state, but within the confines of his or her normal custody time. For instance, if a parent has custody of a child during the weekends, an out-of-state vacation would need to occur within that 48 hour time duration. Should both the custodial and non-custodial parent agree to extended travel, the court would have no reason for intervention.

If the custodial parent does not agree to an extended visitation and/or travel, the non-custodial parent has the option of requesting a custody modification from the court. There’s usually an uptick in custody modification requests during the summer months when children are out of school and parents want to take them for an extended summer vacation.

In most cases, when a parent has concerns about the other parent traveling with the child and not returning, there is a court order addressing vacationing and travel. If a court order about travel is violated, the accusing parent should notify police and request assistance with return of the child.

International Travel with a Parent

Traveling internationally with a child can be a bit more complicated when both parents are not in agreement concerning the travel plans.

The United States does not have exiting controls that monitor outbound international travel, however, the majority of other Countries do have such mechanisms in place. Exiting the United States with your child is rather easy but entering another Country will usually require permission. Exiting the country that you have traveled to with a child requires proving the child’s identity and providing documentation proving that you have permission to do so. Essentially, showing that both of the child’s parents have agreed to the travel arrangements.

There are very few instances in which a parent can legally leave the country with his or her child without the consent of the child’s other parent, even when the traveling parent is the custodial parent. These restrictions were created to reduce of out-of-country parental kidnapping.

Like adults, children must have a passport before they can travel by air to a non-contiguous country. In order to be granted a passport, the US State Department requires all children under the age of 16 to have permission from both parents. Both parents will need to apply for their child’s passport in person or one parent may apply with signed and notarized permission from the other parent.

For more information on obtaining a passport for a minor child, refer to this information from the US Department of State .

If you are traveling throughout North America by car you’ll need to show both your child’s birth certificate and a written statement verifying your child has permission from his or her other parent before crossing out of the United States and into Canada or Mexico

Parents with sole custody are granted permission to travel out of country with their children without permission from the child’s other parent. However, to do so, the parent with sole custody must show the court-ordered custody arrangement to obtain the child’s passport. A copy of the court order would also be needed when traveling to Canada or Mexico without a passport.

As part of all our final marital settlement agreement(s) unless our client(s) choose not to, Gourvitz & Gourvitz, LLC, always inserts agreed on language with respect to domestic and international travel. We even go as far as to make a distinction between signatory Countries to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of Child Abduction and non-signatory Countries.

If you have questions about traveling with your child or you are concerned your child’s other parent might attempt to travel without the appropriate permission, an attorney familiar with parental custody laws can help. For more information or to speak to someone about parental abduction, contact Gourvitz & Gourvitz, LLC at (973) 467-3200 or (212) 586-1700.

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For Travelers

Travel Overseas

This section provides information for international travelers about planning for your trip, returning home, navigating passenger processing. You can also find brochures about traveling overseas.

Travel Alerts

Travel Alerts are issued when short-term conditions that pose risks to the security of U.S. citizens.

Travel Warnings

Travel Warnings are issued when long-term conditions make a country dangerous or unstable and U.S. citizens should avoid or consider the risk of traveling to that country.

Preparing for your Trip

A passport is required for overseas travel. It is recommended to make a copy of your passport and put it in a separate place. Carry your passport - do not pack it in your checked luggage. You must present it to the Customs and Border Protection officer upon arrival in the United States.

Find out if you need to get a visa. United States citizens don’t need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad may need a visa issued by the embassy of the country they wish to visit. If you have a visa, we recommend you make a copy and put it in a separate place. Carry your visa with you — do not pack it in your checked luggage.

Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP ) provide modified screening for pre-approved members, improve security by being more efficient during screenings at ports of entry.

Learn about the types of identification that are required for travel in the Western Hemisphere (Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America). There are six types of acceptable documents for crossing US borders.

All children, including infants, must have their own passport or Trusted Traveler Program document for U.S. entry. Carry documents for traveling with minor children.

If you are escorting a minor child without the parents, have a letter from both parents indicating that you have permission to travel with the minor.
If the child is accompanied by only one parent, the parent should have a note from the child's other parent. For example, "I acknowledge that my wife/ husband is traveling out of the country with my son/ daughter. He/She/ has my permission to do so."
If a single parent has sole custody, a copy of the court custody document can replace a letter from the other parent.

If bringing a dog, have a health certificate and proof of rabies vaccinations from a veterinarian in your country of residence. Prior to your trip, check with your airline for its rules on transporting animals – many airlines require a health certificate.

Returning Home

Find out what is prohibited or restricted before you pack for your trip. Products that would harm community health, public safety and domestic plant and animal life are restricted from entering the United States and are subject to seizure by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency .

Other considerations for packing:

Carry only medication needed for the trip in its original container. Do not pack it.
Carry only the jewelry needed for the trip. Do not pack it.

Navigating Passenger Processing

When planning connecting flights to or from the United States, allow at least two hours between flights. Allow time for CBP processing that must be completed at your first port of entry.

If entering the United States by air or sea, you will receive en route a CBP Declaration Form 6059B and, if you are not from a Visa Waiver Program country, a CBP Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record . Complete all sections of the forms.

Review the CBP Inspection Process before your travel. Listed below are general steps for the inspection process.

On your U.S. arrival, go to the primary CBP passport control area. The CBP officer will ask to see all of your travel documents and the completed CBP forms. The officer may refer you for a secondary screening.
Proceed to baggage claim to pick up luggage.
Go to the CBP customs inspection checkpoint and show your declaration to the CBP officer, who may examine your bags and refer you for a secondary inspection.
Pay duty, if applicable.

Traveling Overseas Resources

These resources can help navigate traveling overseas.

Know Before You Go – Regulations for International Travel
International Travel Tips – Online resources for common questions about international travel
Welcome to the United States – A Guide for International Visitors
Import/Export Forms – Travel documents and forms
Ports of Entry (Air, Land, Sea) – Locate the ports of entry into the United States
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Greetings Alll - My spouse will be flying with our kid (minor) without me to another state within the US. Do I need to sign a notarized consent letter to take with them or would this only be necessary if they were flying internationally? Thanks!

Not required for domestic travel.

Not for domestic

Not even for international for the US.

I always carry kiddo's birth certificate when we fly just in case. Especially in our case because we don't all have the same last name.

I know parents who have traveled alone with their child to Europe multiple times and they have never been asked since there is no passport control on exit.

It's not for getting out of the US, it's for getting into whatever country you're going to. I've never been asked for it, but I did have immigration in the UK ask my daughter who I was.

Thanks everyone!

We're assuming that the child's parents are in agreement about the child's travel. In cases where that agreement may be open to question (divorce or separation, for example), it's a good idea to have a consent form from the non-traveling parent even for domestic travel, and the form is essential for international travel. Most happily divorced couples I know have permanent consent forms that they carry with them all the time ... just in case.

While we're on the topic ... It's also a good idea for children to have passports, even if you/they are not traveling internationally at this time.

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How the U.S. State Department Can Help if Your Child is Abducted Overseas

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Preventing a Possible Abduction

For frequently asked questions on how to prevent a possible abduction, please see the information below., what can i do if i think that my child’s other parent or relatives may take my child outside the united states.

Consider how you can take action and review our Prevention Tips .

We strongly encourage parents to consult with an attorney regarding what actions are appropriate for their particular circumstances, which may include, among other things, obtaining a court order that prohibits a child from traveling outside of the United States.

How effective are abduction prevention measures?

Prevention measures can be very effective if appropriate steps are taken in a timely manner. These steps include engaging law enforcement and legal representation to advocate on your behalf and securing court documents that protect you and your child. The Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP) can also help to prevent a possible abduction by alerting a parent to a U.S. passport application for their child.

A clear court order may be the most important preventative measure. Court orders may include provisions such as:

prohibiting international travel of the child,
specifying the beginning and end dates of visits,
requiring supervised visitation,
requiring the court’s approval to take the child out of the state or country, and/or,
requiring a court or a neutral third party to hold a child’s U.S. and/or foreign passport(s).

Without a specifically worded order with travel restrictions for your child, law enforcement and airline personnel may not be able to prevent your child from leaving the United States.

Where can I go for legal advice?

Although we cannot recommend an attorney to you, an attorney in the United States may help you navigate the legal system. We strongly encourage parents to consult with an attorney regarding their particular circumstances.

What can law enforcement do if my child has been or may have been taken outside the United States?

Local law enforcement can work with you to have your child’s name entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database, to assist in searching for your child. If you believe your child has already been taken out of state, you can also notify the nearest FBI field office, located by state . Some law enforcement agencies may be less responsive if there is no court order for your child. If you have difficulty getting local law enforcement to focus on the search for your child, contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) 24-hour hotline at 800-843-5678. NCMEC is a non-profit organization that provides support to parents whose children are missing, including domestic and international family abductions

What information should I provide to law enforcement?

Gathering pertinent information regarding your child and the person you think has taken the child may help officials involved in the search, such as:

Photographs of the child and biographic information,
Details about the person you think has taken the child and associates,
Court orders regarding your child,
Circumstances about when you last saw the child,
Where you think they may travel,
Travel itineraries, departure routes, or airlines/border crossings

Some law enforcement agencies may be less responsive if there is no court order for your child. Your attorney may also be able to assist in working with local law enforcement or the courts. If you have a court order that prohibits removing the child from the U.S. and a law enforcement contact, call 888-407-4747, or email [email protected] .

What is required for my child to travel outside of the United States?

The United States does not have exit controls or require two-parent consent for a minor to leave the country. If traveling from the United States to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean, travelers are also subject to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Under WHTI, countries have different entry and exit requirements for travelers and in some cases minors may exit the U.S. without a passport. To learn more about these requirements, including land and sea entry and exit laws for all travelers, review Customs and Border Protection’s information about WHTI.

What laws exist to help prevent child abduction?

International parental child abduction is a crime in every state and the District of Columbia under specified circumstances, and is also a federal crime under the International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act. Read more about laws and regulations .

My spouse is in the military, and I don’t want my child go overseas. Can you help?

We strongly encourage parents to consult with an attorney regarding their particular circumstances, and you can contact the Department of Defense.

What can I do if my child has been or may have been taken outside the United States?

Contact the Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues at 888-407-4747 or [email protected] .

Start working with law enforcement as soon as possible. Keep a written record of the people and agencies you have contacted, as well as their telephone numbers and relevant contact information.

My child has been abducted, but is not going internationally. What can I do?

You can call the police. If you think your child has already been taken out of state, you can notify the nearest FBI field office, located by state . Some law enforcement agencies may be less responsive if there is no court order for your child. If you have difficulty getting local law enforcement to focus on the search for your child, contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) 24-hour hotline at 800-843-5678. NCMEC is a non-profit organization that provides support to parents whose children are missing, including domestic and international family abductions.

Children's Passport Information

For frequently asked questions on children's passport information, please see the information below., who needs to sign for my child’s passport.

Generally, both parents or legal guardians are required to sign a passport application for a minor child under age 16. Please refer to our Passports for Minors Under Age 16 page for further information.

What Information about Your Child’s Passport is Available to You?

Passport information is protected by the Privacy Act of 1974. However, information regarding the application for and issuance of a passport to a minor is generally available to either parent, regardless of custody rights, as long as the requesting parent’s rights have not been terminated. Regarding the issuance or denial of United States passports to minors involved in custody disputes, please contact Passport Services.

What is required to apply for a passport for a minor under age 16?

All U.S. Passport applications for minor children under age 16 require that both parents/legal guardians consent or documentation showing that the other parent’s consent is not required (22 U.S.C. 213n and 22 C.F.R. 51.28). Passport applications for children under age 16 must be submitted in person at a passport agency or authorized passport application acceptance facility. For more information, review passport requirements for minors under age 16.

What is required to apply for a passport for children who are 16 or 17 years old?

Although the two-parent consent requirement does not apply to children who are 16 or 17 years old, according to Department regulations , a passport may not be issued to a child if a parent or legal guardian who has custodial rights over a child has notified the Department in writing that he or she objects to issuance of the passport. For more information, review passport requirements for minors age 16 and 17.

How can I order copies of my child’s passport record?

Please follow the instructions listed on the Department’s website to order copies of a passport record .

Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program

For frequently asked quesitons on the children's passport issuance alert program (cpiap), please see information below., what is the children’s passport issuance alert program.

The Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP) allows the Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues to contact the enrolling parent(s) or legal guardian(s) to verify whether the parental consent requirement for minor passport issuance has been met when a passport application has been submitted for an enrolled child. In addition, upon a child’s enrollment in the CPIAP, we may alert the enrolling parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of a pending passport application and past passport issuances for the child.

Who can be enrolled in CPIAP?

Only U.S. citizens or children who qualify for U.S. citizenship under the age of 18 can be enrolled in the CPIAP.

Who can request that a child be enrolled in the CPIAP?

A parent or legal guardian,
Law enforcement,
Child Protective Services, or
Someone acting legally on behalf of a parent, such as an attorney or family member

Please note that privacy laws and regulations may limit who we can notify if we receive a child’s passport application.

How do I enroll my child in the Children’s Passport Alert Program (CPIAP)?

To enroll a child in the CPIAP, please follow the CPIAP instructions.

How can I update my contact information?

To update us with your most recent contact information, email us at [email protected] , or call 888-407-4747.

Please immediately inform the Office of Children’s Issues of any changes to your contact information and submit any additional documents relevant to the application or issuance of a passport to your child. Additional documents may include, but are not limited to, divorce decrees, custody orders, protective orders, warrants, and police reports. Failure to do so may result in your child being issued a U.S. passport without notice to you and/or without your consent. It is your responsibility to immediately provide our office with all relevant and up-to-date information.

Does entering a child's name into CPIAP always prevent a passport from being issued?

No. Enrolling a child in the CPIAP does not guarantee that child will not be issued a passport. The parent or legal guardian who requests entry of his/her child into the program may consent to issuance of the passport for a passport to be issued in accordance with established parental consent procedures.

Also, a passport may be issued without consent of both parents or legal guardians if the applicant for the passport can establish that consent of both parents is not required under federal law (22 U.S.C. 213n and 22 C.F.R. 51.28). For example, a court order providing the applying parent or guardian with sole legal custody of the child or a court order specifically authorizing the child to travel internationally with the applying parent or guardian may permit issuance of a passport without the consent of the other parent or guardian. This is true even if the child has been enrolled into the CPIAP.

How do I Remove a Child from the CPIAP?

A child is automatically removed from the CPIAP when he/she reaches the age of 18.

If you enrolled your child in the CPIAP, your child is under 18, and you no longer wish to be notified of passport applications for your child, submit a copy of your photo ID and a notarized written statement (including the child’s name and date of birth) requesting the child’s removal from the program to [email protected] .

What if my child already has a U.S. passport?

You may enroll your child into the CPIAP even if he/she already has a passport. Enrolling your child will allow us to attempt to notify you if an application for renewal of the passport is received.

Can an issued U.S. passport be tracked or flagged?

There are no mechanisms in place to track the use of a U.S. passport. The CPIAP is not a method for tracking the use of a U.S. passport. See Prevention’s Take Action page if you have concerns about your child traveling outside of the United States.

Does the CPIAP apply to passports of another country?

This program does not apply to foreign passports. The CPIAP does not prevent a dual national from obtaining and traveling on a foreign passport.

Foreign countries have their own regulations regarding issuance and denial of their passports to U.S. citizen minors who have dual nationality. If there is a possibility that the child has another nationality, you may contact the country’s embassy or consulate directly to inquire about parental consent requirements for passports. See Prevention’s Take Action page if you have concerns about your child traveling outside of the United States.

Dual Nationality: Learn more about the impact of dual nationality

For frequently asked questions on the impact of dual nationality, please see information below., what is the impact that dual nationality may have on my child’s travel outside of the u.s..

Be aware that your child may acquire the citizenship or nationality of another country pursuant to that country’s laws, which may include acquisition through:

Birth outside of the U.S.,
Mother’s citizenship,
Father’s citizenship, or
Naturalization

It’s important to know if your child has acquired or may acquire the citizenship of another country because it could enable your child to

Obtain a foreign passport,
Travel on a foreign passport, and/or,
Travel on a parent’s foreign passport

Some countries require children to travel on a parent’s passport and do not issue passports to children.

What steps can I take to prevent my child from being issued a passport from another country?

Consider contacting the foreign embassy or consulate to confirm if your child may be documented as a citizen of that country . A child may acquire citizenship documentation of some foreign countries without consent of both parents. You should confirm the foreign country’s requirements with the foreign embassy or consulate directly.
Please note that not all countries have two-parent consent requirements for passport issuance. Consider contacting the foreign embassy or consulate to obtain information on that country’s rules on passport issuance for minors and to learn if they have a passport notification program.
Be aware that foreign governments may not recognize U.S. court orders. Foreign embassies and consulates in the U.S. may issue passports to children who are their nationals regardless of a U.S. court order.

What if my child has a passport of another country?

U.S. citizen children at risk for or involved in international abductions may have more than one nationality. The Department of State cannot prevent another country from issuing passports to children who are also nationals of that country. However, it may be helpful to ask a foreign embassy or consulate in the United States either to not issue a passport to your child, or to notify you of a passport application.

See Prevention’s Take Action page if you have concerns about your child traveling outside of the United States.

The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.

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How to Fly Your Kid Solo, Free of Stress

An illustration of children flying solo on the airplane.

By Alexander Nazaryan

For many parents and guardians, putting a child on a flight alone may seem terrifying. Belligerent passengers, delays, turbulence: All loom large in a caregiver’s imagination.

Life sometimes leaves no other option. Hudson Crites , 17, of Marshall, Va., was 10 when he started flying unaccompanied to visit his father in Kansas and later Georgia, said his mother, Chelsea Tippett. But the extra attention from airline staff made Hudson “feel special,” Ms. Tippett recalls. Other than a single tarmac delay, he has had no problems.

On rare occasions, children have had troubling experiences. In December, Spirit Airlines accidentally flew a 6-year-old to Orlando, Fla., instead of the intended destination of Fort Myers. Spirit apologized, fired the gate agent responsible and offered reimbursement to the boy’s grandmother for her travel to Orlando. But while the boy was unharmed, his grandmother expressed worry that he had been kidnapped .

If you decide to fly your child unaccompanied, you’ll discover that each airline has its own procedures, fees and routes open to children. While some may find the process complicated, flying alone may be exciting for your child, instilling some independence. Here’s what you need to know.

Before you book, know the process

Regardless of the airline or route, flying an unaccompanied minor differs from an adult or a family catching a flight. Airlines require a trusted pre-authorized adult to be at the departure and arrival gates, and will ask you at booking to provide contact information for those adults. They will also need to present identification at the terminals.

The journey begins at the originating airport’s airline ticket counter. There, airline staff will check your identification and check in the child, perhaps handing them a lanyard or wristband to wear. The agents will provide you with a pass to get through security with your child. You will accompany them to the gate, where you will hand them off to a gate agent. You must stay at the gate until the plane takes off.

In the air, the flight crew will keep watch — but will not babysit, or sit with, your child. If the flight has a connection, a crew member will walk your child off the plane and a gate agent will take him or her to the next gate.

At the arrival airport, the child will be handed off by staff to the authorized guardian or parent who should have already checked in at the ticket counter with proper identification, gone through security with their gate pass and be waiting at the gate.

To learn more about this process, read the Department of Transportation’s online guide, “When Kids Fly Alone,” followed by the website of your selected carrier.

Choosing an airline and paying an extra fee

Before purchasing a ticket, experts advise you to consider an airline’s on-time performance. “Solid on-time performance is hard-earned, and signals a carrier that has tight control of its operation,” said the Ask the Pilot author, Patrick Smith. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has those numbers.

Booking procedures vary. Delta Air Lines and American Airlines require you to call. United Airlines allows bookings online. JetBlue Airways does online bookings, too, but asks for three printed copies of its forms upon arrival at the airport.

International flights may call for a notarized consent letter describing where the child is traveling, with whom they’ll stay and how long they’ll be there.

On top of the ticket fare, flying an unaccompanied minor can be pricey.

Southwest Airlines charges $100 one way for each child, regardless of distance. Alaska Airlines charges $50 per child if the flight is nonstop; a connection adds $25. On Delta, one $150 fee will cover up to four children, and American’s $150 covers all siblings, with no cap on number. United charges $150 for one child, or two children flying together.

Restrictions: There are plenty

U.S. carriers allow children to fly as unaccompanied minors once they turn 5 and before they turn 18. But regardless of your child’s age, make sure he or she is ready by discussing the trip details and your expectations of their behavior. No policy can replace your judgment.

The low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air don’t allow unaccompanied minors, Other airlines have restrictions that, in the broadest terms, differentiate between young children and teenagers. American and Delta restrict children under 8 from routes requiring connections. Both airlines allow children between 8 and 14 to take some connecting flights.

On American, no unaccompanied minor is allowed to take an overnight flight requiring a connection, or a flight that includes a connection on its final leg that also happens to be the last such flight that day (“unless it’s the only flight,” the company adds). Minors are not allowed on code-share flights.

United and Delta have similar rules. Southwest, JetBlue and Spirit don’t allow unaccompanied minors on connecting flights.

JetBlue prohibits minors from flying to Europe, and limits the number of unaccompanied minors in one party to three. Spirit does not allow children on flights to Central or South America. Southwest doesn’t allow children on any international flights. American, United and Delta let minors fly abroad, but restrictions on connections, code-shares and overnights limit options.

American and Delta allow children to opt out of flying as unaccompanied minors once they turn 15 — that is, the child can fly without the assistance of airline personnel. JetBlue ends unaccompanied minor service at 14, while Alaska has an opt-out option at 13. Southwest boasts the lowest opt-out age: 12.

However, you should be able to accompany your child to the gate even if they’re not flying unaccompanied. American requires that you do so for teens between the ages of 15 and 17, even if they’ve opted out.

What to pack

Have a plan to head off your child’s hunger, boredom and thirst. If they are older, make sure they have emergency money and a charged phone.

When her two daughters, then 9 and 11, flew to Denver, Joey Conover of Charlottesville, Va., had a long list for their carry-ons.

“Pack a backpack with iPad, headphones, lightweight book to read, a pad of paper and colored pencils (markers might smear), a small travel game, water bottle (bring empty and fill in airport), snacks, some kind of surprise fidget or animals to play with, hoodie, and a lovey,” she wrote in an email.

“Write your name and phone number on the inside of their arm in Sharpie and put a parent’s business card in a luggage tag on both suitcase and backpack,” Ms. Conover said. (A sheet of paper with all their identification, and their guardian’s contact information, also works. Simply stick in an easy-to-access pocket.)

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places: Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai: Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto: The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland: The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas: Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

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Travelling with children

Whether you and your children plan to travel or live abroad together or your child will be travelling alone, prepare well in advance to ensure a safe and happy trip.

Travel documents

Check the entry and exit requirements of each country you plan to visit in our Travel Advice and Advisories . Do you need visas? Do your passports have to be valid for a certain period of time after your return date to Canada? Do you need to carry return air tickets? Contact the embassy or consulate of each country you plan to visit to check their entry requirements.

All children should carry a valid Canadian passport when they are travelling or living abroad. Children under the age of 16 can sign their own passports. If they do not, leave the signature block on page 3 blank. If you sign it on behalf of the child, the passport will be invalid.

If you or your children are dual or multiple citizens, always travel with your Canadian passport so you can access Canadian consular services while you are abroad and re-enter Canada. Always present yourself as Canadian to foreign authorities, especially when entering and leaving the country of your other nationality, unless you must use that country's passport to do so.

Carry supporting identification for each child , such as a photocopy of their birth or citizenship certificate; divorce papers; consent letter for children travelling abroad; all documents referring to the custody of, mobility of, or access to the child; or a death certificate, if one or both parents are deceased. This will help prove the child's citizenship, residency and your custodial and decision-making rights when you return to Canada.

Make sure you have a consent letter for children travelling abroad or a court order , if required, if a child is travelling abroad alone, without all parents or legal guardians, or with friends, relatives or a group. A consent letter demonstrates that the child has permission to travel abroad, away from parent(s) or legal guardian(s) who are not accompanying them. It may be requested by authorities when a child enters or leaves a foreign country or by Canadian officials when the child re-enters Canada.

The consent letter should be signed by all persons or organizations who are not travelling with the child and who have the legal right to make major decisions for the child, including anyone with access, custody rights or guardianship rights or parental authority .

Make sure the letter includes the date on which the child is to return home. It may also help to have the letter witnessed by a notary public so that border officials will be less likely to question it.

Speak with a lawyer if you are involved in a custody dispute or if a dispute might develop while the child is abroad. If you already have a custody order or agreement, make sure that it permits the child to travel outside Canada. Travelling abroad with the child without the legal right to do so may result in legal or criminal consequences. Canadian custody orders are not automatically recognized or enforceable in other countries without going to court. Check with your destination country’s embassy or consulate if you have any questions.

If your child has been abducted or retained without authority abroad , contact the local police and the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate abroad. For more information, visit Child abduction and custody issues .

Keep a business card or a piece of paper with emergency phone numbers in your child’s pocket in case you become separated. If the child has a cellphone, activate the GPS tracking system to make it easier to locate them.

Carry recent photographs of your child in case of emergency. If your child goes missing, take a screen shot of the map location where you last saw them.

Stay healthy

Visit your health care professional preferably 6 weeks before leaving Canada to learn how to protect your child’s health while you are in areas where there are infectious diseases that are not common here. You may need to arrange an alternative or accelerated childhood immunization schedule for your child. Research the medical facilities available in your destination country. For more information on health risks at your destination, see our Travel Advice and Advisories .

Children flying alone

Some airlines will provide services for an unaccompanied child for a fee. If your child will be travelling alone, make sure you

confirm with the airline whether its staff will escort and supervise your child from check-in through arrival
find out if there are age limits or flight restrictions for unaccompanied children
ensure that your child carries their passport on them and pack other identification in their luggage
ensure that a parent or legal guardian stays at the airport until the flight has departed, even if it is delayed
ensure that the person meeting the child has appropriate identification and authorization

Important: Global Affairs Canada does not escort or supervise unaccompanied children travelling to or from Canada.

Contact your airline, bus, train or other transport company to check its policies for child travellers, particularly when children are travelling on their own.

Make sure you read about Taking small children through security screening .

If you are flying with a child under the age of 2 , you can carry baby food, milk, formula, water, juice and gel packs in small containers in your carry-on bag. You must declare these items when you go through security screening.

Pregnant travellers

If you are pregnant or expect to give birth in a foreign country, be sure to consult your health care professional preferably 6 weeks before you travel. Ask them about diseases that may have negative effects on your pregnancy. Make sure you find a local hospital or birthing facility that meets your standards in advance. For more information on health risks at your destination, see our Travel Advice and Advisories.

Make sure your travel health insurance covers pregnancy-related conditions, pre-term and full-term birth and neonatal care. Ask your airline about its policy on flying while pregnant before you book your flight.

If your baby is born abroad, contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate to find out how to apply for the child's Certificate of Canadian Citizenship and passport.

Publication information

Published by Global Affairs Canada

Information in this publication is readily available for personal and public non-commercial use and may be reproduced, in part or in whole and by any means, without charge or further permission from Global Affairs Canada. We ask only that:

Users exercise due diligence in ensuring the accuracy of the materials reproduced;
Global Affairs Canada be identified as the source department; and
the reproduction not be represented as an official version of the materials reproduced, nor as having been made in affiliation with or with the endorsement of Global Affairs Canada.

All information in this publication is provided on an “as is” basis without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Global Affairs Canada makes all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained in this publication is accurate. The reader is also encouraged to supplement this information with independent research and professional advice. This publication is available in alternative formats upon request. To obtain more information or free copies of this publication, write to: Public Enquiries Service Global Affairs Canada 125 Sussex Drive Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2 Tel.: 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada) or 613-944-4000 Email: [email protected] We would like to receive your comments on this publication. Write to us at the address above or e-mail us at [email protected] .

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Passports, travel and living abroad
Travel abroad

Get permission to take a child abroad

You must get the permission of everyone with parental responsibility for a child or from a court before taking the child abroad.

Taking a child abroad without permission is child abduction .

You automatically have parental responsibility if you’re the child’s mother, but you still need the permission of anyone else with parental responsibility before you take the child abroad.

You can take a child abroad for 28 days without getting permission if a child arrangement order says the child must live with you, unless a court order says you can’t.

Get permission from someone with parental responsibility

A letter from the person with parental responsibility for the child is usually enough to show you’ve got permission to take them abroad.

You might be asked for the letter at a UK or foreign border, or if there’s a dispute about taking a child abroad. The letter should include the other person’s contact details and details about the trip.

It also helps if you’ve:

evidence of your relationship with the child, eg a birth or adoption certificate
a divorce or marriage certificate, if you are a single parent but your family name is different from the child’s

Get permission from a court

You’ll need to apply to a court for permission to take a child abroad if you haven’t got permission from the other people with parental responsibility.

You must give details of the trip, eg the date of departure, when and how you’re returning, and contact details of people with parental responsibility staying in the UK.

You must give more information if you’re taking the child abroad for a longer trip, eg what education the child will get while they’re abroad.

Find a solicitor to get legal advice about permission to take a child abroad.

Check the age limit in the country you’re travelling to

You need to contact the embassy or consular office of the country you are travelling to for information about the age limit up to which a person is considered a child.

Help us improve GOV.UK

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What Is a 'Glass Child'? And How Can Parents Avoid Raising One?

S iblings of children with disabilities may have additional needs too. There are some simple things parents can do to help siblings feel more supported.

A "glass child' is the sibling of a child with disabilities who feels invisible. It's a phrase trending on TikTok. Videos are surfacing from children who suspect they were glass children, or who believe their sibling may have been a glass child. But this isn't just a social media trend. It means so much more to children living it.

The term dates back to a 2010 TEDx Talk by Alicia Maples, who has a brother with autism. In her talk, she compares siblings of children with disabilities to "glass children." Not because they are fragile, but because parents "look right through us."

It's a phrase I relate to. When my son was born with multiple disabilities, I became immediately overwhelmed with his needs, but I was also concerned about his then-2-year-old sister. I knew my son would have numerous doctor and therapy appointments and I was worried that my daughter might feel ignored. Or, as she got older, she would take on more responsibility than she should for her age.

"We don't want to force these siblings to grow up too quickly or to hold them to developmentally inappropriate expectations," says Kelly Fradin, M.D. , a pediatrician and author of Advanced Parenting .

As my daughter, and now my younger son, have been growing up, I do my best to carve out time specifically for them but, with this new phrase becoming popular, I wanted to make sure I was doing all I can to make sure I see them, too.

Ways to Support Siblings of Children with Disabilities

There are things you can do as a parent to make sure you aren't "looking right through" the siblings of your children with disabilities. I spoke to a few experts and received some very helpful advice to bring into my own home.

Provide siblings with age-appropriate information

Make sure you include your children in conversations and provide them with information that is appropriate for their age and situation.

"Siblings experience disability just like everyone else in the family," says Emily Holl , director of the Sibling Support Project. Have open communication and be honest. Often, these children are very aware of the needs of their sibling. "By not sharing information, children may think a topic is off limits when they really need to talk," Holl adds.

Set aside quality time for the siblings

Time is often what children need most from their parents. Holl has heard from many adult siblings who reflect fondly on running errands with just their parents, or the 20 minutes they had alone with them after a sibling has gone to bed. They worked on a puzzle, watched a TV show, talked, or read a book together.

Sara Loftin, clinical therapist at Children's Health in Dallas, Texas agrees, "Spending 15 minutes a day with each child individually can go a long way."

Create a joint journal

This is an activity both the parents and the sibling can take part in. Sometimes writing feelings is easier for children than talking about them.

Holl says parents can write a journal entry as simple as "I'm thinking of you. Write back when you can," and leave it on their child's pillow. It helps children know you are thinking about them and want to engage with them.

"I've learned first-hand that journaling is an easy and effective method to communicate feelings," says Jeniece Stewart Dortch, founder and executive director of the non-profit Special Needs Siblings , as well as a parent of a child with disabilities. "I write an entry and my kiddo responds or shares on a subsequent page. It doesn't have to be daily, or always words. When they were little, it may have been a picture or a reminder of how I see them."

Connect the sibling with other children in the same situation

Find ways for the sibling to link up with other children who have a sibling with a disability. Children can feel isolated if they have trouble relating to others . "Sibling experience" groups, such as Sibshops , can help bring children together with other siblings of children with disabilities. It gives them a space that is understanding, validating, and where they don't have to explain a backstory.

Include siblings in plans for the future

"Kids worry about the future and how they will care for their sibling," Holl says. "Get into the habit of including siblings in conversations about your child's care at every stage, so 'the tuture' isn't big, abstract, scary, and looming. Instead, it's the natural next step."

She says it can be good for siblings to be included in Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) meetings. By inviting the sibling to share their thoughts about the strengths and abilities of the child with disabilities, they can provide valuable insights from a peer perspective.

She recommends inviting but not obligating siblings to participate. "Siblings should be involved to the extent they want to be," Holl adds.

Support your child's outside interests

Encourage the sibling to have a life of their own. Having interests in activities outside of their role as a sibling is important for development. Children should be able to experience all that life has to offer, and parents can help by nurturing their interests.

Listen to your child

The most important thing to remember is children want to be heard and have their feelings validated. " Siblings of children with disabilities are usually very empathetic, and they often internalize their feelings," says Loftin. "They need an outlet. Not every family is the same and everyone has a different experience. Children are dealing with big stressors but don't have big adult coping skills."

Children may not be comfortable sharing feelings of resentment, guilt, or a sense of responsibility, and giving them space to share their feelings is key. "Reassuring siblings that their feelings are understandable and okay will help them move through those feelings with more comfort and confidence," adds Holl. "This is a hugely important skill that they will take with them through life."

How Do I Know If I Have a 'Glass Child'?

There are some signs you can look out for with your child. "Keep an eye out for red flags," Loftin says.

For example, a child may act more withdrawn if they feel overshadowed. Pay attention if children seem anxious or depressed, or lose interest in hobbies or friends. Any major shift in a child's emotions or behaviors can indicate they are struggling.

"Children with disabilities may take more time, but it doesn't mean they are more important," she says. "Show siblings they are important too."

Children with disabilities may take more time, but it doesn't mean they are more important. Show siblings they are important too.

At the end of the day, parents of children with disabilities are juggling a lot. And we need to recognize that we are going to make mistakes. "Know that apologies make a difference," says Dortch. "Having the strength to say I'm sorry to your child even into adulthood makes a huge difference."

"I do think it's essential that parents acknowledge that they can't do it all," says Dr. Fradin. Just being aware that your other children may need support and alone time is important. Holl says parents even having the thoughts and feelings that you need to divide your time better is a step in the right direction.

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What To Know About Motor Skills in Children

Discover when your child is expected to master certain motor skills, such as gross motor skills like walking and fine motor skills like writing.

What Are Fine Motor Skills?

Fine Motor Skill Milestones

What Are Gross Motor Skills?

Gross Motor Skill Milestones
Motor Skill Delays

Motor skills are the physical abilities that allow us to move and coordinate our bodies. Fine motor skills use the small muscles of the hand or wrist while gross motor skills employ the large muscles in the body to allow for balance, coordination, reaction time, and physical strength.

Motor skills enable the movements children need for everyday tasks, from playing to feeding themselves. Children are expected to develop certain motor skills around the same age, but not every child will reach fine and gross motor skill milestones at precisely the same time.

Learn signs that your child is on track with their motor skill development, and activities that can boost their coordination and confidence.

Paul Bradbury / Caiaimage / Getty Images

Fine motor skill activities involve manual dexterity and often require coordinating movements of the hands and fingers with the eyes (aka hand-eye coordination). Research shows that early mastery of these skills better predicts future academic success than cognitive tasks like letter identification.

Components of fine motor skills include being able to grip and manipulate objects, using both hands for a task, and using just the thumb and one finger to pick something up rather than the whole hand.

You can encourage your baby to improve their fine motor skills by laying them under a play gym , using wrist or ankle rattles, or moving a colorful toy around so they can track it with their eyes.

For toddlers, activities that might improve fine motor skills include encouraging them to pick up objects with tongs, building with blocks, and doing craft projects. You can also encourage toddlers and preschoolers to play with sensory toys like clay or playdough, sponges, dry pasta, or water toys.

Examples of Fine Motor Skill Milestones

Children will start developing small, coordinated movements in the newborn period, and by early elementary school, are likely able to do some tricky things, like writing the alphabet and fastening buttons. Here's a selection of fine motor skills you can look for your child to develop as a baby, toddler, and preschooler.

Birth to 2 months

Will close hand when an object is placed in their palm (grasp reflex)
Moves arms in random motions

3 to 6 months

Can open and close both hands
Brings their hands to their mouth
Reaches for toys using both arms and can transfer them from hand to hand

6 to 9 months

Begins to grasp and hold onto objects using their thumbs
Can hold a bottle independently
Uses a raking grasp to move objects with fingers

9 to 12 months

Puts small or medium-sized objects in a cup or container
Develops pincer grasp (using index finger and thumb to grasp objects)
Feeds themselves finger foods

12 to 18 months

Builds a block tower two blocks high
Removes socks
Points with isolated finger
Scribbles with crayons on paper with a fisted grip

18 months to 2 years

Turns pages in a book one page at a time
Can scribble
Holds and drinks from a cup without spilling much

2 to 3 years

Zips and unzips large zippers
Can snip with scissors
Can draw crossing lines
Can screw and unscrew lids

3 to 4 years

Colors mostly in the lines
Draws a circle after being shown an example
Can get dressed with some help

5 to 6 years

Cuts well with scissors
Writes the alphabet and their name
Can get dressed independently

How Milestones Are Adjusted for Preemies

If your baby was born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), they may develop motor skills later than other children the same age. Talk to your pediatrician about adjusted expectations for your child as they grow.

Gross motor skills are movements that involve large muscle groups and are generally more broad and energetic than fine motor movements. These movements include walking, kicking, jumping, and climbing stairs. Some milestones for gross motor skills also involve eye-hand coordination, such as throwing or catching a ball.

Encourage your baby to work on their gross motor skills by doing lots of tummy time . Once they master that, encourage them to reach for (and later crawl towards) toys placed in front of them. To encourage your baby to walk , help them stand and take steps by holding their arms.

With toddlers and preschoolers, encourage them to build forts, dance to songs like "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes," play pretend, and pull their toys in wagons.

Examples of Gross Motor Skill Milestones

The phrase, "You must walk before you run" applies to child development, too. It takes a while for kids to learn to move their bodies in graceful or agile ways. These are some examples of gross motor skills your child might learn in their first several years, remembering that some children will develop some abilities a little earlier or later.

Lifts head while on their belly
Turns head from side to side while on their back
Can kick arms and legs

3 to 4 months

Pushes up on their forearms when on their belly
Rolls over from their belly to their back
Keeps head in line with their body when supported in a sitting position

5 to 6 months

Rolls back and forth
Brings their feet to their mouth when on their back
Pushes up using their hands when on their belly
Sits independently
Crawls on their belly
Crawls on their hands and knees
Pulls to a standing position and starts to cruise around furniture
Can walk with one or two hands held

1 to 2 years

Crawls up stairs
Learns to walk unassisted
Can kick a ball forward
Can walk and run fairly easily
Jumps with both feet
Can kick a ball with both feet
Can balance on one foot
Can catch a large ball

4 to 5 years

Can ride a bicycle (with training wheels)
Can skip on alternate feet
Can learn to skate and swim

How To Track Developmental Milestones

For key developmental milestones , including motor skill development, many pediatricians rely on checklists created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics. These checklists show major physical, cognitive, and social/emotional milestones mastered by 75% of children at a certain age. The CDC also offers a free Milestone Tracker app you can refer to as your child grows.

What To Know About Motor Skill Delays

A child with motor impairments may have trouble moving in a controlled, coordinated, and efficient way. If your child seems to be delayed in developing fine or gross motor skills , they will likely undergo an assessment and may require physical or occupational therapy to catch up. Talk to your pediatrician if you have concerns—they should be able to point you in the direction of a specialist who can help.

Fine motor skill delays

Children with neurological conditions or developmental delays may have difficulty with fine motor skills. Difficulties with fine motor skills often aren't diagnosed until preschool when it becomes more obvious that children are struggling with different school activities, such as learning to copy shapes or letters.

Some children will be diagnosed with dysgraphia , a learning difference that affects writing skills, while others might be diagnosed with dyspraxia (also known as developmental coordination disorder or DCD), a condition that is still not widely understood. Kids with fine motor skill difficulties might need occupational therapy, modifications, or assistive technology.

Gross motor skill delays

It may be easier to notice if your child isn't reaching gross motor skill milestones because gross motor skills are among the most anticipated. You're probably eagerly anticipating your baby rolling over , crawling , pulling themselves up along furniture, and taking their first steps . As your child grows, it's natural to note when they are running and playing and how well they do in physical games and sports.

Gross motor skill delays may also be a sign of dyspraxia . If children's gross motor delays affect everyday movements, they may receive physical therapy and need modifications or assistive technology to keep up with mobility or athletics.

It's natural to compare your child to a same-age peer or sibling who has precociously learned to skip down the street or write their name in chalk on the blacktop, but some kids simply take a little longer to feel comfortable with certain movements.

Still, you want to be aware if your child has motor skill delays, as early intervention can help get them back on track. Keep up with your child's well visits so their pediatrician can monitor their development, and don't hesitate to speak up if you have any concerns.

Problems With Coordination . Child Mind Institute . 2023.

Fine Motor Development Milestones . Ann & Robert Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago . n.d.

Is Your Baby's Physical Development on Track? . American Academy of Pediatrics . 2023.

Gross Motor Skills: Birth to 5 Years . Children's Hospital of Richmond . n.d.

CDC's Developmental Milestones . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . 2023.

Developmental coordination disorder and dysgraphia: signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and rehabilitation . Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment . 2019.

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Almost 1 in 5 stay-at-home parents in the U.S. are dads

A stay-at-home dad in Falmouth, Maine, walks with his children, ages 5 and 9, after they were dropped off by the school bus. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)

Pew Research Center conducted this analysis to see how many mothers and fathers in the United States are not employed for pay and how stay-at-home parents are different from working parents. The analysis uses the Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) of the Current Population Survey (CPS), which is conducted in March of every year.

Administered jointly by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the CPS is a monthly survey of approximately 70,000 households . It is the source of the nation’s official statistics on unemployment. The ASEC survey typically features an expanded sample of about 95,000 households.

Parents are people ages 18 to 69 who live with at least one of their own children (biological, step or adopted) younger than 18. Stay-at-home parents are those who were not employed for pay at all in the calendar year prior to the survey.

The population of stay-at-home fathers who are caring for home or family is relatively small, so we combined the 2020, 2021 and 2022 ASEC files to analyze their characteristics.

The share of parents in the United States who are not employed for pay has been fairly stable over the last five years. In 2021, 18% of parents didn’t work for pay, which was unchanged from 2016, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. The share who are stay-at-home parents differs between men and women: 26% of mothers and 7% of fathers.

A trend chart with 3 lines showing the share of all parents, mothers and fathers who do not work outside the home from 1989 to 2021. The share rises during years of high unemployment but the share has not changed much for all parents and mothers. In 2021, 7% of fathers did not work outside the home, up from 4% in 1989.

Over the past 30 years, the share of stay-at-home parents has fluctuated, rising during periods of higher unemployment.

How stay-at-home dads and moms compare

Between 1989 and 2021, the share of mothers who were not employed for pay decreased slightly, from 28% to 26%. Over the same span, the share of fathers who were not working increased from 4% to 7%.

Due to these diverging trends, dads now represent 18% of stay-at-home parents, up from 11% in 1989.

A set of line charts for fathers and mothers separately that depict the change in the share saying this is the reason why they did not work outside the home from 1989 to 2021. The five possible reasons shown are taking care of family, ill or disabled, retired, can’t find work, and going to school. The share of mothers who stayed home in order to care for family declined from 86% in 1989 to 79% in 2021. Among dads, 23% stayed home to care for family in 2021, up from 4% in 1989. 34% of dads stayed home in 2021 due to illness or disability, down from 56% for this reason in 1989.

The reasons mothers and fathers give for not working for pay differ significantly. In 2021, the vast majority of stay-at-home moms (79%) said they took care of the home or family. About one-in-ten (9%) said they were at home because they were ill or disabled, and smaller shares said they didn’t work because they were students, unable to find work or retired.

Stay-at-home dads cite more varied reasons for not working for pay. In 2021, 23% stayed home to care for the home or family. That is up from only 4% in 1989 but still well below the share of stay-at-home moms who said the same.

About one-third of stay-at-home dads (34%) were not working due to illness or disability, down from 56% in 1989. Some 13% were retired, 13% said they could not find work and 8% were going to school.

How stay-at-home dads are different from dads who work

Stay-at-home dads differ demographically from dads who work for pay.

A pair of bar charts depicting the education level and share in poverty of stay-at-home dads and dads working for pay. Working dads are about twice as likely as stay-at-home dads to have completed at least a bachelor’s degree. About 5% of working dads live in poverty compared with 40% of stay-at-home dads.

Education: Stay-at-home dads are less likely than dads working for pay to have completed at least a bachelor’s degree. Some 22% of stay-at-home dads have this level of education, compared with 42% of dads who work for pay.
Poverty: The families of stay-at-home dads tend to be less economically well-off than the families of dads who work for pay. Some 40% of stay-at-home dads live in poverty, compared with 5% of dads who work for pay.
Age: Stay-at-home dads tend to be older than dads working for pay. Some 46% of stay-at-home dads are age 45 or older, compared with 35% of dads working for pay.
Race and ethnicity: Stay-at-home dads are a more racially and ethnically diverse group than working dads. Half of dads who don’t work for pay are non-Hispanic White. This compares with 60% of dads working for pay. Non-Hispanic Black fathers are a larger share of stay-at-home dads (18%) than they are of working dads (9%). Hispanic fathers are 21% of both stay-at-home and working fathers, and non-Hispanic Asian fathers are 7% of stay-at-home fathers and 8% of working fathers.
Marriage: Some 68% of stay-at-home dads are married, as are 85% of dads who work for pay.

In addition, stay-at-home dads who are taking care of the home or family differ in some ways from those who stay home for other reasons.

Education: 27% of dads who stay home to care for family have a four-year college degree, while 21% of dads who stay home for other reasons do.
Age: A third of dads staying home to take care of family are age 45 or older, compared with half of those who are home for other reasons.
Marriage: 73%of dads who stay home to care for family are married, as are 66% of dads who are home for other reasons.

Note: This is an update of a post originally published Sept. 24, 2018, written by former Senior Researcher Gretchen Livingston.

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More than half of americans in their 40s are ‘sandwiched’ between an aging parent and their own children, financial issues top the list of reasons u.s. adults live in multigenerational homes, how the political typology groups compare, more than one-in-ten u.s. parents are also caring for an adult, most popular.

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ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts .

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International travel documents for children
Children traveling to the U.S. All children, including infants, must have their own travel documents such as a passport or document from a Trusted Traveler Program to enter the U.S. If you travel or are going to travel with a child, consider taking the following documents: If the child is traveling with only one of their custodial parents, they ...
Travel: Do you need written consent for to bring your kid's friend?
It simply needs to state that the child's parents or guardians acknowledge and give consent for their child to travel with a specific individual. It should include: The child's name ...
3 Documents Every Parent Needs When Traveling With Children
Minors aged 16 and 17. Minors aged 16 or 17 need to apply for a passport in person using Form DS-11 or renew their current passport with Form DS-82. A passport book for a minor aged 16 or 17 costs $165 and will be valid for ten years. As the parent, you don't need to be present when your child applies for a passport.
Free Minor Travel Consent Form
It can be used to establish guardianship whether the child is traveling abroad with only one parent or with another trusted adult, such as a family member, friend, or educator. In today's world, where concerns about child safety are paramount-especially when it comes to child abduction, custody disputes, and human trafficking-a minor travel ...
Before Your Trip
Documents You Will Need. Carry - do not pack - all travel documents. All U.S. citizens need U.S. passport books if re-entering by air. Land and sea border crossings accept additional travel documents, such as U.S. Passport cards and Trusted Traveler cards. Child travelers have additional options - see the Traveling with Children section.
Travel Documents For a Child Traveling With One Parent
Answer: Concerns about child abductions have made governments around the world very cautious when one parent is traveling with a minor child to a foreign destination. Besides your passports, you should bring written consent from your child's other biological parent plus your child's birth certificate. Many countries require that the consent ...
Required Documents for International Travel With Minors
In general, each adult in your party will need a passport, and minor children will need either passports or original birth certificates. Documentation requirements become more complicated when one parent or guardian is traveling alone with a minor. In general, besides your passport, you should bring written consent from the child's biological ...
Travelling Alone With Your Child to the United States
If you are travelling by airplane, you and your child must have a valid passport to travel to the United States. The rule is the same whether your child is an infant or a newborn. You and the other parent must normally agree when one of you wants to apply for or renew your child's passport. If you are travelling by car, a copy of your child ...
How parents traveling alone with children should prepare
I later discovered that a lot of parents traveling alone with their kids have experienced similar questioning on international trips, and many of us — even seasoned travelers — were caught off ...
Apply for a Child's U.S. Passport
Both parents or guardians must approve that we can issue a passport to a child, and go with the child to apply in person. If one or both parents or guardians cannot apply with their child, you will need to show us more documents. You cannot renew your child's passport using Form DS-82. Passports for children under age 16 are only valid for 5 years.
Traveling with Children
Traveling with Children. All passengers are required to undergo screening. However, TSA has developed modified screening procedures for children who appear to be 12 years old and younger. TSA officers will consult parents or the traveling guardian about the child's screening. TSA standard screening procedures apply for children 13 years and ...
Do Kids Need ID to Fly? Travel Identification Info for Every Age
Quick Answers in a Nutshell. Children under the age of 18 typically do not need ID to fly on domestic flights within the United States when accompanied by an adult. Airlines may require ...
Do Parents Need Permission from the other parent to Take their Children
International Travel with a Parent. Traveling internationally with a child can be a bit more complicated when both parents are not in agreement concerning the travel plans. The United States does not have exiting controls that monitor outbound international travel, however, the majority of other Countries do have such mechanisms in place.
Travelling Across Border with Children
Children Traveling without Both Parents. It is strongly recommended that, if only one parent is crossing the border with a child under age 18, they have a Consent Letter from the other parent granting permission to take the child out of the country. It is even more important if the child is traveling with a friend or relative without either ...
Flying Alone With Your Kids? Make Sure You Have Proof of Your
On social media and online travel forums, many parents who have traveled alone with their children have shared stories of T.S.A. agents directly questioning their young children in order to ...
Travel Overseas
If the child is accompanied by only one parent, the parent should have a note from the child's other parent. For example, "I acknowledge that my wife/ husband is traveling out of the country with my son/ daughter. He/She/ has my permission to do so." If a single parent has sole custody, a copy of the court custody document can replace a letter ...
One Parent Flying with Minor Within US
9. Re: One Parent Flying with Minor Within US. 6 years ago. We're assuming that the child's parents are in agreement about the child's travel. In cases where that agreement may be open to question (divorce or separation, for example), it's a good idea to have a consent form from the non-traveling parent even for domestic travel, and the form is ...
Recommended consent letter for children travelling abroad
A consent letter is recommended for all cross-border travel, even for a day trip, if the child will be travelling alone, with only one parent, with friends or relatives or with a youth group. The sample consent letter or interactive form can be used to create a suitable letter. If one parent is deceased, what document should a child carry when ...
Child Abduction Frequently Asked Questions
Consider how you can take action and review our Prevention Tips.. We strongly encourage parents to consult with an attorney regarding what actions are appropriate for their particular circumstances, which may include, among other things, obtaining a court order that prohibits a child from traveling outside of the United States.
Tips for Parents on Kids Flying Solo and Free of Stress
On top of the ticket fare, flying an unaccompanied minor can be pricey. Southwest Airlines charges $100 one way for each child, regardless of distance. Alaska Airlines charges $50 per child if the ...
Miscellaneous
Children under the age of 18 traveling with one parent or an adult who is not the parent. ... if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed. If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (deceased, sole custody, etc.) any other ...
Recommended consent letter for children travelling abroad
A consent letter should be used for all cross-border travel when a child is travelling: alone. with only 1 parent or guardian. in the care of friends or relatives. with a group, such as a sports, school, musical or religious group. This includes day trips and travel where a child will be with only 1 parent for part of a trip.
Traveling With Children
Traveling with children to the U.S. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, the adult have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, friends, or in groups, a note signed by ...
Travelling with children
If your baby is born abroad, contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate to find out how to apply for the child's Certificate of Canadian Citizenship and passport. For further information, visit Children and travel, or contact us by telephone at 613-944-6788 (TTY 613-944-1310) or email [email protected].
They'd never seen the point of traveling with their young children
In January 2019, Margaret Bensfield Sullivan, set off on a year-long trip around the world with her husband Teddy and their children, Willa and James, who were six and four at the time.
Get permission to take a child abroad
A letter from the person with parental responsibility for the child is usually enough to show you've got permission to take them abroad. You might be asked for the letter at a UK or foreign ...
How to improve the relationship between parents and adult children
Speak to one another like adults. Parents, in turn, may speak to adult children as though speaking to a child, offering unsolicited advice and making demands. If this happens, both parties need to ...
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Siblings of children with disabilities may have additional needs too. There are some simple things parents can do to help siblings feel more supported. A "glass child' is the sibling of a child ...
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Here's a selection of fine motor skills you can look for your child to develop as a baby, toddler, and preschooler. ... Can walk with one or two hands held; 1 to 2 years . ... Parents uses only ...
Dads make up 18% of stay-at-home parents in the US
Due to these diverging trends, dads now represent 18% of stay-at-home parents, up from 11% in 1989. The reasons mothers and fathers give for not working for pay differ significantly. In 2021, the vast majority of stay-at-home moms (79%) said they took care of the home or family. About one-in-ten (9%) said they were at home because they were ill ...

International travel documents for children

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