Hello,

We are heading down to the islands in a little over a week with our two daughters and a couple of their friends - ages 16 and 17. Does anyone know if a travel consent form will be required for their friends?

Several years ago I did a trip with my son and a few of his 16 y/o friends where we sailed from Puerto Rico to the BVIs and back. Although I got consent forms from each parent, they were not necessary and never asked for.

This time we are flying in rather than sailing in and I'm not really sure what the requirements are - if any. Can anyone comment on this?

Thank-you!

We have done this several times over the past few years. Twice the Customs Officer at the St Thomas Airport (upon departure back home) suggested we needed the letters (we did not have them, but he let us through with a very brief lecture). We decided to have the consent forms this trip, but they were never asked for. I have never had someone in the BVI request them.

I would rather have them and not need them than not have them and need them…..

Thanks for the replies. I think I will try to at least get the parents signatures on a consent form, though I don't think I will be able to get the forms notarized. At least a signed form is better than nothing I suppose.

Wouldn't be worried about the Travel, so much as medical care. Try hard to get consent for treatment. Accidents can happen, funky thinks can crop up, and standing in the ED at Peebles without permission to treat just isn't anyone's idea of fun. You know, if you're covered, nothing will happen !

Yes, medical care is on my mind to some degree as well - especially since we will likely be doing a bit of kiting down there. I just realized today that I can actually purchase travel insurance on behalf of my daughters friends who are travelling with us - about $20 each. I think I'll do that for my own piece of mind. Still doesn't solve the problem of medical care consent, but at least a step in the right direction. It's too bad we can't just "go on vacation" without worrying about all of these extra precautions these days.

Thanks!

We have always had consent forms (medical and to leave the country) when traveling with our children’s friends. Travel insurance is a bonus but the forms are what you need.

Thanks for the replies. I think I will try to at least get the parents signatures on a consent form, though I don't think I will be able to get the forms notarized. At least a signed form is better than nothing I suppose.

FYI - Banks typically have one or more notaries in the building. My bank notarizes for free for customers and $5 or so dollars for non customers.

Thank-you Cleobeach. The biggest issue is that both of my daughters parents are divorced. It is unlikely I'd be able to get notarized signatures from all of them prior to the trip. I could send them each their own form to sign and ask that they try to get it notarized, but I just suspect I wouldn't get all four of them notarized so then what's the point? Then there is the confusion of different last names as well. I think I'm just going to do the best I can and cross my fingers. As long as we get into the BVIs then I'm not too worried about getting hassled a bit on the return to the states.

MDiver - did you get the consent form notarized or just signed by the parents?

Thanks!

snmhanson--Not to ask a delicate question, but are you picking up the tab for the friends? If so, it seems that it is little enough that the parents could do, to get some forms notarized. If you get consent from the parent who has custody--and consent to treat--that should be good enough. I wouldn't necessarily obsess about consent from both parents, if they are divorced My personal opinion is that the airline might be the one giving you problems, if anyone would. You could check on the website of your airline to see if you can find rules about what the definition of an unaccompanied minor is.

We have always had the forms notarized - we always had them even when traveling within the continental US. You just never know.

My local UPS Store notorises on the spot..easier, for me than the bank..

We are taking a charter flight from SJU to EIS and back, so the only places that I could see us possibly being asked for the consent forms are entering the BVIs and returning to the US. Possibly the air charter but nothing from them yet hinting at that. Our airline flights are all domestic so I don't expect any issue in that regard. I guess I'll probably send each parent a form and ask them to get it notarized and see what response I get.

Thanks!