Unaccompanied Minor Travel for Divorced Parents

📜 Custody Considerations

Check Your Custody Agreement

Before booking any travel, review your custody order or parenting plan for:

• Travel restrictions — Some orders require consent for air travel
• Notice requirements — You may need to inform the other parent X days in advance
• Geographic limitations — Some orders restrict travel outside certain areas
• Transportation responsibilities — Who pays for flights? Who handles logistics?

When Consent Is Required

If your custody agreement requires the other parent's consent for travel:

• Get it in writing (text or email is fine)
• Document the flight details shared
• Keep a copy with you at the airport
• Airline may request it (though rarely enforced for domestic flights)

International vs. Domestic

Domestic flights: Airlines typically don't verify custody arrangements. Either parent can book and send a child as UM.

International flights: Much stricter. Many countries require notarized consent letters. Some won't allow UM service at all for international travel.

✈️ Booking the Flight

Who Can Book?

Either parent can typically book the flight, but consider:

• Who has physical custody at departure time
• Who can physically check the child in at the airport
• Payment arrangements (per custody agreement)

Contact Information

Airlines require contact information for both the sender and receiver. You'll need to provide:

• Full legal name of sending adult
• Phone number of sending adult
• Full legal name of receiving adult
• Phone number of receiving adult
• Government-issued ID for both parties

Authorized Pickup

Only people listed on the UM form can pick up the child. The receiving parent must:

• Present matching government ID at pickup
• Know any PIN or code word if the airline uses one (Delta does)
• Be present — they cannot send someone else without adding them to the form

🤝 Coordination Between Parents

Information to Share

Even if you don't get along, share these details:

• Flight number and times
• Airline and confirmation number
• Departure and arrival airports
• What the child is wearing
• What's packed in their bag
• Any medications or special needs

Real-Time Updates

Consider:

• Text when you arrive at the airport
• Text when the child boards
• Text when the plane takes off (you're required to wait)
• Receiving parent texts when child is picked up

This isn't about trust — it's about your child's safety and both parents' peace of mind.

What If Plans Change?

If a flight is delayed, cancelled, or rebooked:

• Notify the other parent immediately
• Coordinate new pickup time
• If significant delays, discuss whether to continue or cancel

⚖️ Handling Disagreements

If the Other Parent Objects

• Review your custody agreement for travel rights
• Document your attempts to communicate
• If no agreement, consider mediation
• Courts generally favor children maintaining relationships with both parents

If You Have Concerns

• Request flight details in writing
• Verify the flight exists
• Document pickup arrangements
• If serious concerns exist, consult your attorney before the travel date

Emergency Situations

If you believe your child is in danger or being taken in violation of a custody order, contact:

• Local police
• Your family law attorney
• The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: 1-800-843-5678

💡 Tips for Success

For the Child

• Keep it positive — don't put the child in the middle
• Reassure them this is normal and safe
• Don't use them to relay messages to the other parent
• Let them express excitement about seeing the other parent

For Co-Parents

• Use communication apps like OurFamilyWizard if direct contact is difficult
• Share a Google Calendar with travel dates
• Keep emotions out of logistics
• Focus on the child's experience

Document Everything

• Save booking confirmations
• Screenshot text confirmations
• Keep receipts for flight costs
• Note pickup/dropoff times