Obtain proper travel documentation for yourself and your child. All children and adults, including infants, traveling internationally by air must hold a U.S. passport, available through the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov) before departing for a trip. Children who are leaving the U.S. by land or sea and traveling to a contiguous territory, such as Canada or Mexico, may show a certified copy of their birth certificate in lieu of a passport, notes the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Get You Home website.
Ensure you and your child meet all entry requirements for the countries to which you are traveling and secure visas, if necessary. Each country has its own entry requirements for U.S. citizens, with many countries requiring a visa for all visitors, including children. The U.S. State Department website provides a list of entry requirements for each country to help you determine what documentation is needed for your specific country, or you may contact the U.S. Embassy in that country for assistance.
Visit your health care provider to ensure you and the child are up to date on any vaccinations needed for your trip and that you both have enough prescription medication to last the duration of your travel, as not all U.S. medications are available outside the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov) maintains a recommended list of vaccinations for travel on its website. The site also includes suggestions customized to each country, as well as areas within a country where diseases such as malaria or yellow fever may be present, to help you select the health care needed for you and your child.
Secure a signed and notarized letter from any absent parent, or bring along proof of your sole custody, if the child is traveling without both parents, to make crossing international borders run smoothly. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection website notes that the letter should include the absent parent's acknowledgment and approval of your travel and his or her child's participation. Have the letter notarized and keep it with the child's travel documents throughout your trip.
