Travel tips for LGBTQI+ families: Ensuring your safety and peace of mind - Dinogo

After adopting our daughters, my husband and I committed to continuing our travels. We aimed to spark a love for exploration in these amazing girls, helping them become global citizens who cherish both commonalities and differences. Our passports are now brimming with stamps, a testament to our success—and our wallets may be a bit lighter!

Not long ago, my husband and I faced skepticism from airline staff regarding our oldest daughter’s identity as our child. While returning to the U.S. from abroad, we had to verify our legal guardianship, with accusations of child smuggling thrown our way. It was a frightening experience, and even with all necessary travel documents, we were briefly detained as they verified our status.

Though such incidents are rare and more likely to occur with younger children who can't advocate for themselves, it’s wise to be prepared. Here’s a handy checklist of documents and items to have on hand for smooth airport and hotel check-ins, security screenings, and passport controls.

Your child's birth certificate is essential.

If you or your partner aren't listed as parents on your child's birth certificate, ensure you have a notarized letter from the listed parent granting permission for you to travel with the child.

Official adoption documents are necessary.

We only stopped bringing our daughters' adoption papers with us when they turned 10 or 11, feeling confident they could handle inquiries themselves. Keep your child's official adoption documents from your state in your carry-on.

Custody paperwork for minors is important.

It's crucial to have custody documents for minors, especially if your children have a different last name than yours.

Notarized letter granting 'permission to travel'

When traveling with a child who has a different last name, it’s wise to carry a letter from your partner, ideally notarized, allowing you to travel with the child. For international trips with children under 16, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol recommends: "If only one parent is accompanying the child, a notarized letter from the absent parent should state, 'I acknowledge that my son/daughter is traveling outside the country with [adult's name] with my permission.'"

Digital and paper copies of health insurance cards

In addition to the physical health insurance cards, take photos of them for digital backup. Carrying a paper copy is also a good idea. Check with your insurance provider to see if they can issue a card with your child’s name alongside yours, though typically, cards are issued only in the name of the policyholder.

Emergency contact details

Keep a list of phone numbers for your family's pediatrician, dentist, and any other medical professionals you regularly see.

Select your travel destination carefully

Prepare for awkward inquiries

Regrettably, ignorance can lead to cringe-worthy questions from people around the world. For instance, I've been asked, 'Where's the mommy?' during hotel or flight check-ins. Although it can be uncomfortable, I try to turn it into a teaching opportunity to enlighten the person about my family. Most often, they apologize once corrected, feeling embarrassed by their mistake.

Prepare for the paperwork challenges

To obtain a child's passport, both parents and the child must apply in person together.

In summary