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Personal identification documents have enormous significance
when traveling abroad. You'll find yourself constantly hauling out your
i.d. for officials, hotel managers, etc. But there's more to this than just
your passport. Even if there is a U.S. embassy or consulate nearby when
you're traveling, not having the right documents at the right time can mean
enormous headaches of lost time and added expense. You'll want to get the
US Department of State's Consular Information Sheet on any country on your
itinerary. These info sheets will tell you about the requirements in each
country regarding currency, driving, and drug regulations, health and security
conditions, etc. Click
here for more information. |
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Passports and visas – Make sure you not only have passports in a secure place, but also bring
along two copies of each. If they are lost or stolen, having the passport
numbers will help speed up the process for replacements. |
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To apply for passports for the first time for your kids, get all the information
and forms from the State Department Web site: Passport
Services. Allow plenty of time if you are getting new passports. There are a number of new requirements, such as for children under 14, both parents, as well as the child, have to apply in person. |
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Tip: With the new requirements, as of Jan. 1, 2008 any U.S. citizen traveling via air or sea to any destination will need a passport, including Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean. |
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If you need to get passports in a hurry, check out
the Passports
and Visas or American
Passport Express Web sites. You can get your passports (kids included)
in just a few days, or even 24 hours, but extra fees apply. |
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Even if you have passports for your kids, check the renewal
date! Passports need to be renewed every 5 years for kids under 14.
(You don't want to get to the airport to discover that your child's passport
has expired ...) |
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Some countries also require a visa. Click
here to find out more information about visa entry requirements for
different countries (for U.S. citizens). Need to get your visas in a tearing
rush? You can arrange for expedited visas at Passports
and Visas. |
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Copies of birth certificates – It's become quite common these days for a family to have more than one surname.
Maybe a mother has kept her maiden name, or perhaps the children are from
different unions. Whatever the reason, you'll want to be able to prove that,
yes, these kids are yours. (Even if you are the nuclear family, birth certificates
aren't a bad thing to have along if your passports are lost or stolen.) |
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Copies of immunization records – If you're
traveling to countries that require specific shots or vaccinations, bring
along copies of your immunization records or certificates of vaccination.
This is is also helpful in the event that you would need to consult a
doctor while traveling in a foreign country. |
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Copies of custody papers – If any of
the children are under a custody arrangement (no matter who has custody)
you'll want to prove that, yes, Brandon O'Shaungnessy is supposed to be
with Mei Ling and Roberto Martin. Bring copies of all relevant papers. |
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Parental permission – If you're traveling
with your kids without your spouse, in some countries (e.g. Mexico), you
may need proof that the absent parent has given permission for the child
to travel with the other parent. It's simple enough to write up a letter,
sign it, have it witnessed and notarized. |
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Credit cards – It's great that you have
3 or 7 or 20 – but you really don't want them all
on the trip. Take two, so that each adult has one, and lock up the rest
at home. Keep copies of the card numbers and phone numbers to call the credit
card companies, in case of theft. |
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Things not to bring – Empty
out your purse before you go. Don't bring along your library cards, supermarket
cards, discount warehouse cards, department store credit cards. If you have
your passport and you won't be driving, don't bring your driver's license
(just another thing to get lost). |
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Things to bring – Here are a few things you shouldn't forget when packing: |
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 Extra glasses – For anyone who wears glasses or contacts, bring
along extras. If your kids are especially hard on glasses, bring those cords
that attach to the glasses. Imagine losing glasses over the side of a spectacular
waterfall, dropping into the clear blue sea, or lost behind the bed in your
hotel – you'll be having a very fuzzy trip! Bring
along a small screwdriver kit to repair lenses that pop out unexpectedly.
(We have stories about the glasses lens that popped out when we were eating
dinner in Prague ...) Also, take along the glasses prescription, in case
you need replacements. |
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This is a handy family travel first aid kit, created by a parent who adopted her daughter in China. |
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Medicine – Don't put your prescription medicine in those handy
pill compartment boxes. Keep all medicines in their original, clearly marked
containers, and make sure you have the prescriptions as well. This is a
good idea, both to prove you are supposed to have the medicine and also
in case you need to replace it. (You should ask your doctor or pharmacist
for the generic names of medicines you take frequently, since the brand
name may not be available where you're traveling.)
Tip: Also put together a small sack of non-prescription medicines, anti-itch cream, band-aids and first-aid stuff, things that your family typically uses. |
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Waist
packs – Maybe not suitable for that gala
night in Monte Carlo, but pretty handy everywhere
else. If you're clutching your purse or holding onto your wallet in every
crowded marketplace, while worried about where your kids have disappeared
to, you're not having fun. And if you're not clutching them – well, where did you put the photocopies of all your documents? Get one that's
worn on the front – a waistpack riding on the back
is just a present for a pick-pocket. |
