Special requirements for unaccompanied minors?

Question

What are the special requirements for an unaccompanied minor(age 14) when traveling between the U.S. and Canada? Like notarized parental consent or any extra documents. If parental consent is needed does anyone have an example?

Answer 1

Your best bet is to contact the airline the child will be flying.  I'd also contact immigration authorities in BOTH the US and Canada. The links to the USCIS Field Office locator as well as Canadian immigration are listed below. You might also consider drawing up a medical power-of-attorney form in the event the unexpected should happen.

If you opt to not pay the additional UM fee then the child is on his/her own.  There will be no airline representative to assist them through customs and immigration procedures and they'll have to navigate that maze by themselves.  In this day and age of airline cutbacks, minimum crewmembers and ground staff you would be wise to pay the fee simply for the peace of mind.  Trying to make your way through customs and immigrations procedures can be a challenge for adult flyers, especially those that don't travel often, being a child travelling alone could be overwhelming.  Check the links below for the forms you seek.