If you’re preparing to take your first vacation as a solo parent with your child since your separation or divorce, you likely know the importance of ensuring that you have any necessary permission from your co-parent and possibly the court. A consent to travel letter signed by your co-parent is recommended, even if it’s not required under your custody agreement.
What can still catch parents by surprise is the amount of scrutiny they and their child get from those in positions of authority – especially if they’re traveling by air. That’s in part because TSA agents and other airport security professionals are trained to watch for potential child traffickers. So are airline personnel, like flight attendants. One adult flying alone with a child generally “fits the profile” more than a couple does.
The single parents most likely to face questions and even more serious scrutiny are those with a child who is bi-racial or of another race or ethnicity than they are. Some parents have told disturbing stories of having their children questioned by flight attendants and even being detained upon landing due to suspicions that their child wasn’t theirs because they weren’t the same race. This can happen to those whose co-parent is of another race or ethnicity or who adopted a child of a different race than their own.
Preparation is key
While this can understandably be disturbing for a parent – and especially for a child – it’s important to know that certain personnel they may encounter have the right to ask these questions. The best way to lessen the intrusion on your vacation or other trip with your child is to keep your cool and be prepared with plenty of documentation.
This includes:
- A copy of your custody agreement, with the section on travel marked
- A copy of your child’s birth or adoption certificate
- Your divorce decree
- Your consent to travel letter
It’s also helpful to have some photos on your phone of both parents with your child at different ages.
If your child is old enough, it’s smart to prepare them for possible questioning, maybe by doing some role-play exercises. This can help your child stay calm and prevent them from saying something problematic. If you have questions or concerns before you travel alone with your child – regardless of your mode of transportation – it can be helpful to get legal guidance.
