I am taking my son (6) to Hawaii this summer, first time in a plane for him.
I am divorced. This will be just my son and myself.
This is from Portland, Oregon, straight to Hawaii.
My travel agent tells me that I should bring my son's social security card and his birth record, in case either is demanded along the way.
Alaska Air is adamant that I need no documents for my son, and points me to the tsa web site, and their own web site for proof.
I would rather not carry sensitive documents like a social card and a birth record.
Has anyone here, traveling from the lower 48 states to Hawaii with a child but without a spouse, been asked to provide documents proving the child's identity?
Thanks.
S.
I've always been told to carry a copy (not the original) of my child's birth certificate when I travel, just in case. But I've never actually been asked for it.
S.:
Your travel agent is a loon. Sorry. Hawaii is still a U.S. State.
What do I think you need? The custody agreement showing you have custody and/or permission to travel outside the state with your son.
At any point, you SHOULD have a picture ID of your son. Something like Ident-a-Kid - so that you have a current picture of your son, etc.
Good luck. Hope you have fun!
If I were you, I'd have a copy of your court document that allows you to take your child out-of-state. And you had better have your ex's permission to take your child so that you don't have the police hunting you down over a kidnapping charge, S.. If you have your legal ducks in a row, then you could save yourself a ton of headache.
Your child is old enough to tell them that you are daddy, so you don't have to worry about the identity issue. I actually don't know why kids don't need something proving that they are our own kids when they are young when traveling domestically - you sure do have to have it to travel internationally - but you don't...
I traveled with 3 of our children from Las Vegas to Hawaii last summer. The youngest was 7 at the time. My husband and oldest were flying from the east coast and met us later at the resort.
No special papers or document were required. It's just not necessary.
You are correct; you should not be traveling with your son's SS card or birth certificate. I'm not sure where your agent is getting these ideas.
Follow the airline and TSA standards, and you'll be fine.
Per traveling, there is a "consent to travel with minor child" form, or "consent to travel with one parent" form. Look online. Google it and for it and how it is used and why.
Here is one link:
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/268/~/childr...
When my Husband traveled abroad with my daughter, the travel agent told us to have this. JUST in case. And my Husband carried in on him. BUT this was for traveling out of the country. Abroad.
It needs to be signed by both parents.
There are many types online.
Research it.
And some of these forms, also has blank lines on it, per medical consent etc.
Forms like this also exist because, there are cases of parents kidnapping their child etc. or when parents are divorced etc.
But it is more so for traveling out of the country, and per other country's laws.
But as always, when traveling with a child, you SHOULD anyway, have the COPIES, of his SS card and/or his birth certificate/ID, AND any medical insurance cards/info. on hand. COPIES of it. Not the original.
And, if you have a cell phone/iPhone, take a current photo of your son, just in case he gets lost or something.
Hawaii is a State.
Then, does your Ex know... you are taking a trip with your son?
I would understand your agent if you were traveling outside of the US. Is your travel agent nuts?? Hawaii is in the US and you don't have to have passports, etc to travel within the US. Lol
Get a new agent or better yet, make your own plans.
I've traveled to Hawaii with my kids (without my husband) many times. I've never been asked for any ID for them. But I carry their passports with me whenever we travel, just in case.
We always have the kids id's in hubby's billfold. We also carry an embossed/seal letter from the courts as to our guardianship.
If your child gets hurt and they suspect you are not his legal representative you'll need something official to show he's yours.
I can't imagine driving across the USA and having anyone ask me any questions as to my citizenship but it could happen I guess.
Make a photo copy of your son's birth certificate and take that, but nothing else. No one under 16 is required to show id at TSA. They will ask HIM (not you, so don't jump in and answer) what his name is and who you are, and you'll be on your marry way.
You're his parent, it doesn't matter than you're traveling without his other parent.
My mother has flown with my son a couple of times recently, and I do write a letter for her to carry with her giving permission to fly with him etc... but it's really just an extra precaution.
You'll be fine. You're not taking him out of the country.
T.
I travel all the time with my alone with my daughter (hubby works too much and we're not waiting around). The thought never occurred to me. The only thing ever asked is "what's your name" to her at the security gate.
It can't hurt to bring a copy just in case. But seriously, don't worry about it.
I understand why the agent is telling you this! My mom had her dream visit to Hawaii a few years back (we're in the Midwest). Instead of taking those documents, she had time enough to get a passport done and had that instead. While there may not be a problem, it is the possibility that your plane could be diverted for some reason - and you end up in Canada (since you're in that part of the country) -- you'd need documentation to get back IN!
