Plane travel with a 6 year old that is not your child... About This Page:

[KathyL]

Can someone please refresh my memory as to what you need to travel on a plane with a child that is not yours. I am planning on bringing my 6 year old neice to WDW in December. Do I need I need a notorized note from the parents? We both have the same last name which may make things easier. Thanks.

[minemoz1]

We've traveled to FL many times with my DNiece and DNephew who have a different last name. We've never needed any ID or notorized paperwork for the flight. However, it would be good to have in case you needed to get medical attention for her in FL. Don't forget any insurance card/info for her also.

[Teresa]

Whenever we take kids (or allow ours to be taken by family/friends), we make sure the person with the child in their custody has:

A notarize note, authoring that person (identified by name, address, and relationship) to have that child AND make any medical decisions for the dates of the trip, plus 2 days (if something happens on the last day, and we can't get there for 2 days, I don't want nothing to be done)

A letter detailing where the parents of the child will be - how to reach them (in an emergency, people will forget even their own phone number)

A letter with ALL of the kids' medical history on it (what they are allergic to, major surgeries, plus any meds they are on now, insurance info, their pediatrician, and the hospital he/she practices at)

ID !!!! For the kids. DD Kathryn has had a state issued ID for the last 6 years (she's 14 now), and it really helps. When my mom took both DDs to WDW, and then on DCL last October, she said she WAS asked for something giving her permission to take off with them, and something to prove they were who she said they were - she had their passports.
I'd reccommend a state ID for any child.

[Ceara's mawmaw]

When we take our Dnephews we do a custody by mandate which is a fancy name for a notarized paper giving me and my husband temporary custody of the boys for the dates specified usually an extra day or two incase we are delayed. it gives us the right to take them with us without question, consent for medical treatment and give parental permission for things. It could also lists any allergies, the boys have none but it could. It has my brother's name, address and phone number incase for some reason he would need contacted. And they bring their current insurance card. I make my brother do the signing well ahead of time with me in arkansas and them in Indiana it takes some time but we get it done.

[coffeechef]

I have been taking my nephews with me since they were young. Never needed an ID for them or proof that I had permission to take them. We have different last names. Their names are on their tickets. Their Mom usually gives me their Insurance cards as a just in case. So if you feel better having all the other stuff, go ahead and get it. But it is not needed. I have never been questioned as to whether the kids were mine or not on the 16 Flights we have taken. Enjoy your trip. Never taken them on a cruise, I know everyone needs passports now for that. But for a flight in the US ... not yet.

[KathyL]

Thanks to all for your quick replies.