Frequently Asked Questions 
Our children travel more often, whether with a grandparent, relative, summer travel, or educational programs, so their time away from us requires we fill certain gaps with clear and concise medical and travel consent forms. Parents and relatives of children are often wondering whether they need a written authorization to travel with a child, take them to a medical appointment or an emergency room, or address special needs of a child and more. Well, the simple answer is YES! Our forms are prepared with these concerns in mind, allow you to include important information about your child and are easy to fill out!
Here are some common questions, as well as questions posed by parents through our Contact Us page.
General Questions
Can I use the forms on the Travel Stix™ more than once?
Yes! The Travel Stix™ are specifically designed for frequent flyers. Each form may be used as many times as the owner of the Travel Stix™ requires.
What is important to know about the travel forms?
First, they are comprehensive and easy to fill out. The information fields are clear and there is plenty of room to fill in names, doctor information and even insurance information where necessary. Also, the forms purchased are prepared on a patented secure paper, this way they can not be copied and manipulated by anyone regarding where, when and with whom your child may travel.
If I am not an American citizen, may I still use the forms and Travel Stix™?
Yes, the forms and Travel Stix™ may be used by travelers all over the world. We also offer forms and Travel Stix™ in Spanish, and soon we will offer them in additional languages. You must confirm with the departing and visiting country what other forms or authorizations you may need.
 My child has traveled overseas without needing a legal form, why should I buy one now?
One reason. It’s quickly becoming necessary when crossing any international border, for the important goal of ensuring that children are traveling with the appropriate guardian.
Other reasons: child trafficking is a serious problem, and having a form that identifies where your child is going, who is allowed to travel or pick her or him up from the plane, train or bus, and who has sole authority to pick them up when they return is VERY important. The Child Travel authorization forms on this site provide this very specific information for two reasons: (1) your child’s safety and (2) your peace of mind.
What if I am already on a business trip or vacation and my child’s sitter or relative caring for her needs a medical authorization form or travel consent form?
Purchase the Parent Travel Stix, which has three forms on it – one of them is a medical consent form. This way you may print out and fill out the medical authorization form and fax it back to your child’s sitter, nearby relative, doctor or hospital directly.
Why do most of the forms on this site require a notary?
Notary acknowledgements are necessary so that your signature is properly verified. This is a safety measure to help avoid someone providing an authorization that is NOT legitimate.
There are two forms that are in letter format as well, the Medical Authorization Letter and School Notification form, when you simply do not have time to get to a notary, although your child’s doctor or hospital may require the affidavit version. At the very least, you will have provided critical information about your child and her or his doctors and caregivers and your intent to provide a certain person with authorization to approve medical decisions when you are out of reach.
Travel with One of Two Parents to International Destinations
My child is traveling with her or his other parent. Do I need to provide her/him with a written authorization?
Yes. When traveling out of the U.S., the parent traveling with her or his children without the other parent should have a written authorization from the parent not traveling. On the Customization Page, please enter the name of the parent not traveling first, so that the form is correctly filled out.
Parent Travel Forms
Most traveling sports teams and schools have their own forms. Why should I spend money for my own legal form?
This is an excellent question. The forms on this site enable you to provide legal authorization to another adult when you are unavailable for medical and other types of care. Checking off a box or filling out a standard informational form does not provide for a valid authorization.
In addition, the forms include the practical information about your child’s allergies, medication, food issues, special needs, prescription information, doctor and specialist contact information) and your contact information in one place. The language in the forms reflects your specific family structure (single parent, two parents living together, or parents living apart). Who wants a form that requires two signatures, when you are a single parent?
How may I identify the needs of my child who has special needs?
After you have chosen a form or forms, the Customization Page will allow you to specify medical conditions, allergies, doctor information, insurance information and specifically “conditions or sensitivities” that a parent would want a caregiver or travel companion to know about.
Traveling with Relative, Family Friend, Coach or Teacher
Why do I need to prepare a legal form for my child when she or he is traveling with a relative, family friend, coach or teacher?
If you are traveling with someone else’s child (even a grandchild) to an international destination, once you are asked to present proper written authorization either leaving the U.S. or upon arrival at your destination, and do not have it, your travel plans may be severely impacted. Also, our travel forms allow for important medical information that a travel guardian should have in hand. Better to be prepared in advance!
Relative or Family Friends Travel Authorization Forms
Children Traveling Alone (U.S. Travel and International Travel)
When my child travels alone to visit a relative, or take part in an educational or summer program, why would I need to provide the person who will supervise or care for them with authority for medical decisions, school decisions and travel consent?
Providing for the best care for your child, requires planning ahead. A medical authorization form, especially when another adult is caring for your child in another state or country, that describes your child’s medical needs, doctor and insurance information, will allow the relative or care-giver to provide the best care for your child.
What if my child will travel while abroad with another adult?
When a child is traveling with an adult other than their parents outside of the United States, a written authorization from the parent or parents not traveling is typically required at the departing or arriving border, and more and more often when entering the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In addition, every country’s requirements for travel consents are different. By preparing a travel consent form in advance; you may help avoid unnecessary delays or impediments for your child’s travel.
Children’s Travel Authorization Forms
Traveling Parents: Who is caring for your children? Does your child’s school know who to contact in case of a medical or other emergency?
The forms on this site are intended to be used in these temporary situations, when you need to make sure your child’s school and doctors know who to contact for the unforeseen emergency.
It is important to have the proper authorization and consent forms in place for whoever is caring for your children while you are away.
[Input Link on About Us Page to Go to Traveling Parents Forms]
Babysitter or Relative’s Caring for Baby, Toddler or Children
How can I make sure my relative or sitter has a medical consent form in case there is an emergency, and I am either at work, on a business trip or on vacation?
Our site’s forms enable you to put in place medical, custodial care and travel consent forms in place so that your child’s babysitter or relative can address situations as they arise. It’s a good idea to make sure your child’s pediatrician has a copy of the completed form in advance.
What if my child’s sitter or relative needs to travel with my child?
Go to Child Travel Forms, and then choose from the Traveling with Relative or Family Friend Travel Forms or Babysitter Travel Forms, depending on whether your child will travel within the United States or internationally with her or his guardian.
How can I find forms to provide the relative or caregiver the ability to make medical decisions in my absence when my child travels without me?
Select Child Travel Forms to find the Medical Care Affidavit. Our Medical Care Affidavit will allow you to identify who may make decisions in your absence. Most medical facilities require written proof in a parent’s absence or unavailability to sign a release form. The form will allow you to provide specific general medical information about your child, her or his doctors’ contact information and insurance information.
How can I find a form to allow my child to travel within the United States alone or with a relative or guardian, either for a family visit or to attend school?
Our Child Travel Forms have been prepared to allow you to specifically identify the travel destination within the United States, dates of travel as well as who is authorized to travel or pick up a child from an airport, train or bus station.
If you have a different question, please send an email to support@forms4travel.com.
We will do our best to answer it for you and post it to the FAQ page to help everyone understand a little more about child safety whether a parent or child is traveling.
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