vasantn

I'm a man in my early 70s. Sometime in August, I'm planning to take my 15-year-old goddaughter to Europe for a week (countries undecided, but would possibly include one or more of Spain, Germany, and Greece). She wants to bring along her 14-year-old best friend (also a girl), whose parents know me and are OK with the idea. The world being what it is these days, should I be concerned about some overzealous official suspecting me of being a child trafficker? Or am I being paranoid? If anyone here has done this I would love to hear about some first-hand experiences. If there's a chance that I could be "detained" and separated from the girls while things are being sorted out, I may scrap the idea entirely as that's not a risk I'm willing to take.

njxbean

ive never done this but i cant imagine this is an issue. people travel with their kids and kids friends all the time.

vasantn

1. The problem is that these are not my kids. I have no blood relationship to either of them.
2. Some countries (e.g., Brazil) have very strict rules about travel with children, even your own.

SanDiego1K

You will need a signed and notarized letter from the parents to be allowed to board flights. You also should consider what you need should there be any medical issues and you have to get treatment for one of them.

https://www.lawdepot.com/blog/3-docu...with-children/

GUWonder

Kids go on trips from the US to Europe with just their teachers or even with relatively unfamiliar chaperones for events. They can do it, so can you.

Get a permissions slip letter from the parents — notarization not required — that lists the kids’ info, the trip info/purpose, the parents’ info (including birth certificate and ID copies for demonstration of relationship), parents contact information. That and having the ability to video call over the internet with the parents means it should work out just fine. It may also help to have a medical authorization form from the parents in case there is a health care need that needs to be met on the trip.

Is there a chance you could be misperceived by passport control or airline employees? Yes, it happens. And the chances of it happening on a racist profiling basis can mean more trouble for some.

SimonAB

We repatriated my other's half niece back to the US without problem, and IIRC without any significant documentation. The tip we were given by her parents, perhaps from experience, is if the child is asked anything by an official, don't coach them, let them answer themselves, if they can of course.

CDTraveler

Perhaps once you decide on a destination, contact their embassy/consulate and ask if there are specific regulations or required documents when minors travel with someone other than their parents.

vasantn

Great suggestions here; thank you all.

erik123

Once in Schengen there is no passport control. Check rules for entry and exit for that relevant country. Hotels might also be an issue as trafficking is on the up with the war in Ukraine and there might be increased surveillance. Staying in one room would be a red flag.

GUWonder

Indeed. But also having two rooms booked can be a red flag.

Still, better with two rooms than one. I definitely recall no one in my classes wanting to have to be in the same room as the chaperones, no matter how well they got along at school or home.

Waynegi

very excellent experience traveling with my children.