Travelling With Children: Documents and Practicalities
Travelling with children involves documentation requirements that catch families out, usually because a child's passport expired sooner than expected.
Passports
Children require their own passports in most systems, and child passports typically have shorter validity than adult ones — commonly five years rather than ten.
Destination validity rules apply to children exactly as to adults, so a passport with under six months remaining may be refused where that rule applies.
Renewal takes time and demand is seasonal. Checking expiry dates for the whole family well before booking is the simplest preventive step.
Travelling without both parents
Some countries require documentation where a child travels with one parent, with other adults, or unaccompanied.
A letter of consent from the non-travelling parent, giving their contact details and confirming permission, is commonly requested. Notarisation is required by some countries.
A birth certificate establishing the relationship is worth carrying, particularly where surnames differ.
Where parents are separated, court orders may restrict removing a child from the country, and taking a child abroad without required consent can have serious legal consequences.
Requirements are enforced inconsistently, which makes carrying documentation the safer approach rather than relying on not being asked.
Airline practicalities
Infants under two typically travel on a lap for a nominal fare or percentage of the adult fare, with no seat and no baggage allowance in many cases.
A separate seat requires a fare and an approved child restraint, which many families find worthwhile on longer flights.
Pushchairs and car seats are usually carried free and do not count against baggage allowance, though they may be checked at the gate.
Seat allocation for families is not guaranteed on basic fares, and airlines charge for selection. Policies on seating children with an adult vary and have attracted regulatory attention.
Health and insurance
Check vaccination requirements and recommendations for children specifically, since schedules differ and some vaccines have age restrictions.
Ensure travel insurance covers children and any conditions, and check whether children are included free on a family policy.
Carry a small medical kit including any regular medication, rehydration salts and age-appropriate analgesia, in original packaging.
Practical points
Carry a recent photograph of each child, which assists if they become separated from you.
Note down passport numbers and keep copies separately.
Check the accommodation's arrangements for cots, and confirm rather than assume, since availability is frequently limited.
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