Let’s face it, as great as it is to travel together as a family, being the one responsible for getting everyone to the destination safe and sound is sometimes not so enjoyable. After all, there are so many little details to take care of. The last thing you want is for the airline, bus, train, or Cruise Company to blindside you with rules that you didn’t even know existed. While on a family trip, it’s imperative to create a cheat sheet containing a list of all necessary travel documents you might need on your trip, including insurance, health cards, passports, and medical prescriptions.

 

This travel-document-cheat sheet will ensure that you don’t leave any important documents behind. We have put together an ultimate travel document list so that you won’t have to. Here is a list of travel documents that every family needs while traveling abroad:

 

1.    Passport

First thing first, make sure that you have your and your family members’ passports with you. Although it may seem like a no-brainer, you will be surprised to know how often travelers forget their passports at home and realize it too late.

You and your family will not be allowed to board an international flight if you don’t have your passport. You will have to present your passport to the ticketing agent at the airport, and then only will you be able to board your plane and fly abroad. So make sure that you have your passport with any needed visas (unless your destination allows you to purchase it upon arrival) before leaving your home.

 

2.    Proof of Relationship with the Child

While boarding the plane, the airliner might ask you for a proof of relationship with the child before allowing them to fly with you. So make sure that you have the necessary documents to prove that you are their legal guardian or parent. This can be problematic, especially if you and your kids don’t have the same last name on passports.

For proof, you can use a variety of documents like:

 

• • Marriage certificate

• • Court order

• • Child’s Birth Certificate

• • Adoption documents

• Certificate of name changes

3.    Passport Card

A passport card is different from a passport book. While a passport book is required for air travel, a passport card allows you and your child to enter the US at land border crossings and sea ports of entry from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. It is important that your child has a passport card if you are taking a domestic flight. You cannot use a passport card for international travel.

 

 

4.    Child Travel Consent

If your child is traveling with a non-legal guardian or a relative, you will need a child travel consent signed by either parents or legal guardians. It is also called a letter of permission and is used as proof for custom officers and transportation providers that both parents have given authorization to travel.

A Child Travel consent typically contains:

 

• • Child’s information

• • Travel agreement

• • Destination

• • Stay duration

• • Signature of both legal guardians/parents

• Parent information

5.    Medical Prescriptions & Doctor’s Notes

While you might be okay with a few over-the-counter medicines like aspirin, getting through airport security with many physician-prescribed medicines can cause delays. This is why, if your child has health issues, you should carry their medical prescriptions and doctor’s notes with you.

 

It is also important to note that some medicines might be perfectly okay in one country but may be illegal in another. For instance, there are some inhalers that are legal in the US but illegal in Japan. A lot of countries also have strict anti-narcotics laws, implying that you will not be able to pass through security with your painkillers.

So before you visit a country, do your research and check the government’s official website.

 

6.    Immunization Records

Post-COVID, many countries require special immunizations prior to travel. So make sure you carry your children’s immunization record with you, as they may ask you to present it at passport control.

Now, parents frequently ask if they should get their children vaccinated before traveling abroad. This is something that you and your doctor will have to decide. Always consult a medical professional before making a decision and consider any health restrictions that you or your children might have.

 

Keep in mind that certain countries won’t let you cross passport control without vaccination or immunization cards if you have been to a specific region –for instance, the Ivory Coast. If you have an Ivory Coast stamp on your passport, it should be recorded in your immunization records that you have received the Yellow Fever vaccine.

Remember that this is for the better health of both your children and residents. Health should be a top priority, especially when traveling with kids.

 

 

Quick Travel Document Tips for Parents:

To ensure that you don’t make mistakes, here are some quick tips for carrying and protecting your important documents while traveling

 

• • Always scan your documents and keep them secure on your devices

• • Make photocopies of your and your children’s passports

• • Carry your documents in a secure folder or wallet

• • Keep your scanned documents in a flash drive

• • Make sure that your child has a copy of his personal information and child consent on him at all times

• • Keep your documents in a place where they won’t easily damage

In addition to the above-mentioned travel documents, you will also need:

 

• • Diver’s license

• • Proof of international driving permit

• • Copy of your travel insurance information

• • Your boarding passes

• • Plane tickets

• • Debit cards and credit cards

• • Travel Itineraries

• • Hotel reservation information

Your travel documents are among some of the most important things while abroad. If you lose or forget your passport or driving permit, it can ruin your entire family trip. So double-check before you leave for the airport, and use this document checklist to make your trip stress-free.