Thursday, July 9, 2009 by Robert G. Smith, Spokesperson for Lawyers.com
Summer is the time for family vacations and for many people, this may include crossing international borders. Here are a few tips to avoid problems and to make your cross-border travel a bit smoother.
- Become familiar with local laws abroad – When you are in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws and are under its jurisdiction. What may be legal or considered minor infractions in the United States may be against the law in other countries and cause for arrest. Familiarize yourself with the legal differences in the countries you will visit. The State Department web site at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html contains useful safety and other information about the countries you will visit.
- Register with the State Department – Register your travel plans with the State Department through a free online service at https://travelregistration.state.gov. Registration will help the U.S. authorities contact you if there is a family emergency in the U.S., or if there is a crisis where you are traveling. In accordance with the Privacy Act, information on your welfare and whereabouts will not be released to others without your authorization.
- Bring travel consent letter(s) for children – Most airlines recommend that all adults traveling with minors/children have a travel consent letter for both international and domestic flights. This letter is required in situations where a child is traveling with only one parent, or with organizations or family members other than the child’s legal guardian(s). This letter is especially useful to have on hand in divorce/separation situations. Having a travel consent letter will also avoid hassles when boarding airplanes, seeking medical care for the children in your care, and crossing international borders.
- Leave important information with a friend or relative back home – It is a good idea to leave a detailed itinerary and a photocopy of your passport or other citizenship documents with a friend or relative in the U.S. Additionally, you may want to leave certain legal documents at home with a trusted friend or family member as well, such as a current will, insurance documents, and power of attorney – so you can feel secure about traveling and be prepared for any emergency that may arise while you are away.
- Know your insurance coverage – Find out if your personal property insurance covers you for loss or theft abroad. Also, check on whether your health insurance covers you abroad. Medicare and Medicaid do not provide payment for medical care outside the U.S. Even if your health insurance will reimburse you for medical care that you pay for abroad, health insurance usually does not pay for medical evacuation from a remote area or from a country where medical facilities are inadequate. You should consider purchasing a policy designed for travelers, and covering short-term health and emergency assistance, as well as medical evacuation in the event of an accident or serious illness.
Anything can happen when you travel abroad, but if you follow the tips listed above, you’ll be better prepared to deal with any difficulties that may arise. Happy and safe travels this summer!
