Frequently Asked Questions
Parents and relatives of children are often wondering whether they need a written authorization to travel with a child, care for them during a parent’s business trip or vacation, take them to a medical appointment or emergency room, address special needs of a child and more. Well, the simple answer is YES! Today’s world is much different then when we were growing up, playing at the playground nearby or wandering the neighborhood until dark unaccompanied by a parent or sitter. In addition, our children travel more often, whether with a grandparent, relative, summer travel, or educational programs so their time away from us requires we fill certain gaps for medical and travel consent.
Here are some common questions, as well as questions posed by parents through our Contact Us page.
General Questions
Will the form print from my computer after I customize and purchase it?
Yes, you will be able to download the form(s) directly to your computer and print the complete form(s) after you purchase the form(s) by providing your credit card information. You will only need Adobe Reader to view and print the form(s).
Why do most of the forms on this site require a notary?
Notary acknowledgements are necessary so that your signature is properly verified. This is a safety measure to help avoid someone providing an authorization that is NOT legitimate.
There are two forms that are in letter format as well, the Medical Authorization Letter and School Notification form, when you simply do not have time to get to a notary, although your child’s doctor or hospital may require the affidavit version. At the very least, you will have provided critical information about your child and her or his doctors and caregivers and your intent to provide a certain person with authorization to approve medical decisions when you are out of reach.
My child has traveled overseas without needing a legal form, why should I buy one now?
One reason. It’s quickly becoming necessary when crossing any international border, for the important goal of ensuring that children are traveling with the appropriate guardian.
Other reasons: child trafficking is a serious problem, and having a form that identifies where your child is going, who is allowed to travel or pick her or him up from the plane, train or bus, and who has sole authority to pick them up when they return is very important. The Child Travel authorization forms on this site provide this very specific information for two reasons: (1) your child’s safety and (2) your peace of mind. On the Customization Page you may upload a picture of your child and/or their caregiver as long as it fits only within the size requirements indicated.
What if I am already on a business trip or vacation and my child’s sitter or relative caring for her needs a medical authorization form or travel consent form?
Choose “international”, instead of your state of residence, on the choose your state/country page so that the form provides the correct notary layout for your to bring it to a U.S. Consulate so they may notarize the form for you. Then fax it back to the caregiver and/or medical doctor or hospital in the United States.
Why is the Customization Page so long?
The Customization Page only requires you fill out the highlighted required fields. There are only 12 required fields. All other fields are optional. It is up to you whether you type in the information or write it in after buying the form and printing it out from your computer. Be sure to initial all handwritten additions before you have the form notarized.
Most traveling sports teams and schools have their own forms. Why should I spend money for my own legal form?
This is an excellent question. The forms on this site enable you to provide legal authorization to another adult when you are unavailable for medical and other types of care. Checking off a box or filling out a standard informational form does not provide for a valid authorization.
In addition, the forms include the practical information about your child’s allergies, medication, food issues, special needs, prescription information, doctor and specialist contact information) and your contact information in one place. The language in the forms reflects your specific family structure (single parent, two parents living together, or parents living apart). Who wants a form that requires two signatures, when you are a single parent?
How may I identify the needs of my child who has special needs?
After you have chosen a form or forms, the Customization Page will allow you to specify medical conditions, allergies, doctor information, insurance information and specifically “conditions or sensitivities” that a parent would want a caregiver or travel companion to know about.
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Traveling with Relative, Family Friend, Coach or Teacher
Why do I need to prepare a legal form for my child when she or he is traveling with a relative, family friend, coach or teacher?
If you are traveling with someone else’s child (even a grandchild), once you are asked to present proper written authorization, and do not have it, your travel plans will likely be severely impacted. Better to be prepared in advance.
Go to Children’s Travel Authorization Forms
Children Traveling Alone (U.S. Travel and International Travel)
When my child travels alone to visit a relative, or take part in an educational or summer program, why would I need to provide the person who will supervise or care for them with authority for medical decisions, school decisions and travel consent?
Providing for the best care for your child, requires planning ahead. A medical authorization form, especially when another adult is caring for your child in another state or country, that describes your child’s medical needs, doctor and insurance information, will allow the relative or care-giver to provide the best care for your child.
What if my child will travel while abroad with another adult?
When a child is traveling with an adult other than their parents outside of the United States, a written authorization from the parent or parents not traveling is typically required at the departing or arriving border, and more and more often when entering the United States.
In addition, every country’s requirements for travel consents are different. By preparing a travel consent form in advance; you may help avoid unnecessary delays or impediments for your child’s travel.
Go to Children’s Travel Authorization Forms
Travel with One of Two Parents to International Destinations
My child is traveling with her or his other parent. Do I need to provide her/him with a written authorization?
Yes. When traveling out of the U.S., the parent traveling with her or his children without the other parent should have a written authorization from the parent not traveling. On the Customization Page, please enter the name of the parent not traveling first, so that the form is correctly filled out.
Go to Children’s Travel Authorization Forms
Traveling Parents: Who is caring for your children? Does your child’s school know who to contact in case of a medical or other emergency?
The forms on this site are intended to be used in these temporary situations, when you need to make sure your child’s school and doctors know who to contact for the unforeseen emergency.
It is important to have the proper authorization and consent forms in place for whoever is caring for your children while you are away.
Go to Traveling Parents Forms
Babysitter or Relative’s Caring for Baby, Toddler or Children
How can I make sure my relative or sitter has a medical consent form in case there is an emergency, and I am either at work, on a business trip or on vacation?
Our site’s forms enable you to put in place medical, custodial care and travel consent forms in place so that your child’s babysitter or relative can address situations as they arise. It’s a good idea to make sure your child’s pediatrician has a copy of the completed form in advance.
What if my child’s sitter or relative needs to travel with my child?
Go to the Home Page and select the Child Travel Forms, and then choose from the Traveling with Relative or Family Friend travel consent forms, depending on whether your child will travel within the United States or internationally with her or his guardian.
Go to Babysitter Forms
Americans Living Abroad with Children Traveling
How can I find forms to allow my child to travel to the United States alone or with a relative or guardian, either for a family visit or to attend school?
Go to our Home Page and select the Americans Living Abroad forms. Our forms have been prepared to provide Americans living abroad with access to forms in English that may be used to specifically identify who is authorized to pick up a child from an airport, as well as identify who may pick up your child when they return home.
How can I find forms to provide the relative or caregiver the ability to make medical decisions in my absence when my child travels without me?
Go to our Home Page and select Child Travel Forms to find the Medical Care Affidavit. Our Medical Care Affidavit will allow you to identify who may make decisions in your absence. Most medical facilities require written proof in a parent’s absence or unavailability to sign a release form. The form will allow you to provide specific general medical information about your child, her or his doctors’ contact information and insurance information.
How can I find a form to allow my child to travel within the United States alone or with a relative or guardian, either for a family visit or to attend school?
Go to our Home Page and select Americans Living Abroad forms. Our forms have been prepared to allow Americans living abroad with access to forms in English that may be used to specifically identify the travel destination within the United States, as well as who is authorized to travel or pick up a child from an airport, train or bus station.
Go to Americans Living Abroad Forms
If you have a different question, please send an email to info@forms4parents.com. We will do our best to answer it for you and post it to the FAQ page to help everyone understand a little more about child safety whether a parent or child is traveling.