USA documentation requirements for minor travelling on their own
My 17-year-old son is a dual US-UK citizen and is travelling to the USA this summer on his own. I have been told U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recommends that the child carries a notarized written consent letter from both parents, in case it is requested for review by US immigration officials.
Does anyone have a link to an example letter to show what this should look like?
Does he need to bring an original of his birth certificate or any other documents?
Also, regarding the notarization, does this have to be done as per US guidelines or UK guidelines? I understood that in the UK the equivalent of US notarization would be a solicitor's/lawyer's signature witnessing the signatures or for example having this done by a bank. Would this be sufficient, as the cost of having something notarized in the UK is quite expensive.
Many thanks.
Best Answer
thanks for your feedback, he has a US and UK passport.
In the meantime I've had a reply from CPB:
Thank you for contacting U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Information Center.
CBP strongly recommends that unless a child is accompanied by both parents, provide a letter which states you are giving him permission to travel by himself internationally. Letter from the child's other parent or parents stating: "I acknowledge that my son/daughter is traveling out of the country . He/She has/have my permission to do so”. The letter should include Who, What, Where, When, Why, and contact information for the absent parent(s). Having the letter notarized is not necessary but is highly recommended.
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Answer 2
These regulations are in place to stop interference with custody orders, and I suppose runaways although that is a little hard to worry about for an airfare. A 17-year-old who can answer questions about his home life and travel plans is a small risk. I think a witnessed letter would be ample. My younger child was never asked anything at all, although he was armed with a US Notarized letter.
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