Traveling With Minors: The Art of Permission Slips, Passports & Plot Twists

Traveling with minor children—your own, your grandchildren, or those borrowed from relatives who trust you a suspicious amount—is one of life’s greatest adventures. It’s also a bit like being a magician: you’re responsible for fun, safety, and the occasional illusion.

One of my all-time favorite family travel memories happened years ago when I was teaching in San Francisco. I invited two of my teenage grandchildren to join me at the end of my trip so we could play tourist together. Cable cars! Alcatraz! Clam chowder in sourdough bowls! They thought that was the whole plan.They were wrong.

Because I had a secret: at the end of our lovely San Francisco weekend, I was taking them to Cabo San Lucas for a full week of sunshine and cousinly bonding. They didn’t know this, of course. Even as we stood at the airport gate—me claiming we were “meeting someone”—they still had no idea. I should’ve won an acting award for that performance.

But here’s the part no one posts on Instagram: pulling off a surprise international kidnapping (a legal one!) takes planning. A lot of planning. And paperwork. And notarizations. And more paperwork.

Paperwork: The Real Boss Level of Traveling With Minors

The United States doesn’t require proof of both parents’ permission for a child to travel internationally, but many other countries do—and trust me, you don’t want to find this out at the airport counter while the gate clock ticks louder and louder.

When traveling internationally with minor children—especially when both parents aren’t present—always, always pack:

✔️ A copy of the child’s birth certificate

This proves you’re not a stranger attempting to take little Timmy to Belize because he “looked like he needed a vacation.”

✔️ A notarized consent letter from the non-traveling parent(s)

Many countries require this when a child is traveling with only one parent, a grandparent, another relative, or anyone who isn’t their legal guardian.

This letter should include:

Travel dates
Destination(s)
Permission for you to take the child
Passport numbers for both the child and the adult traveling
Contact info for the non-traveling parent(s)
A nice, clean notary stamp (because official stamps make everything fancier)

I’ve seen countries turn families away at the border for not having the proper documentation, and trust me—nobody wants to be the person explaining that to a disappointed 8-year-old in an airport lobby.

Domestic Travel With Kids: TSA’s Age-Based Rules

If you’re flying within the U.S., the rules are a bit simpler—but still worth knowing before you reach the security line juggling backpacks, snacks, and someone’s stuffed animal that cannot be separated from its owner.

Children 12 & Under

Can join you in the TSA Pre-check lane
The TSA Pre-check logo does NOT need to be on their boarding pass

This is one of life’s small victories. Savor it.

Children 13–17

Now things get spicier.

Teens may accompany you in the TSA PreCheck lane only if their boarding pass also says TSA PreCheck.

To make that happen:

They must be on the same reservation as you
The adult must have TSA PreCheck
Leave the teen’s KTN field blank unless they have their own Known Traveler Number

If your teen is on a different reservation?
TSA says “nope.” They go through the regular line with the mortals.

Kids Traveling Solo: The Unaccompanied Adventure

If your child travels alone frequently (or has a more exciting social life than you), consider getting them their own TSA PreCheck or Trusted Traveler Program membership.

A few important notes:

Gate passes do not come with TSA PreCheck privileges
Unaccompanied minors with no adult escort can use TSA PreCheck if they have proper ID
Each airline has its own rules for minors—double check before booking

Final Tip: When in Doubt, Bring the Paperwork

Passports? Check.
Consent letters? Check.
Birth certificates? Check.
Snacks? Unlimited.

Traveling with minors can be magical—full of surprises (planned and unplanned), laughter, and memories. But the smoothest trips happen when the grown-ups bring the right documents and a good sense of humor.