What documents are needed to travel with children: it is said when identification cards and passports will not be enough

Valid identity document

According to a press release, the most frequently asked question of passengers recently in preparation for a trip with children is related to the necessary documents. R. Petraitienė reminds that a minor who plans a flight must first have a valid identity document: an identity card or passport. A child’s birth certificate is not a travel document.

“It should be remembered that in some countries, such as Turkey or Egypt, the identity card is not valid, a passport is required there. Before traveling, you should verify which specific document is accepted in the country in question. Also, do not forget that the Children’s identity cards are valid for a shorter period of time, and in some non-EU countries the identity card is required to be valid for at least 12 months, therefore when planning a flight, pay pay attention to the validity date of the document, “advises R. Petraitienė.

Travelers are always encouraged to keep copies of their own documents and those of the children accompanying them, or to keep them by email. in the mailbox According to R. Petraitienė, this would really help in case of an unexpected loss of documents.

When parents fly with an adopted child, officials can request adoption documents, so they must also arrange originals or copies in advance.

To fly alone or accompanied

With the start of summer vacation, there are often questions about opportunities for minors to travel independently. In such cases, the head of the Passenger Experience Management Department advises first finding out the airline’s rules: from what age children can already fly alone and if accompanying services are available.

Some airlines offer the use of a companion service for minors. This means that after paying the fare, the parents entrust the child to the airline staff before the flight. The staff looks after him at the airport and during the trip, and delivers him to the person who meets him after disembarking. In such cases, it is necessary to know exactly who will meet the child at the point of arrival and the person meeting must provide proof of identity to the staff accompanying the child at the airport.

When crossing the state border, it is important to know that when a minor travels independently to the Schengen countries, it is only necessary to have a valid passport or identity document. However, if a child flies to another country, a notarized permission from one or both parents is required.

Remember that notarized parental consent for a child to travel alone may not be sufficient in appropriate cases, as this document is addressed to the State Border Guard Service. As already mentioned, airlines have their own rules, so before buying a ticket for a child, be sure to take an interest in them, ”says R. Petraitienė.

It is recalled that if the child’s surname does not match the surname of one of the parents with whom he is traveling, Lithuanian border officials may require the presentation of the child’s birth certificate. When traveling to a country where visas are required, parents must also obtain a visa for the child, regardless of age.

Assistance to travelers with minors in the country’s airports.

R. Petraitienė reminds parents that they are preparing for an airplane trip with their children for the first time that Vilnius and Kaunas airports have cribs and strollers for minors.

“In the boarding galleries of Vilnius airport, also known as” sleeves “, it is possible to use strollers from the airport. This is especially convenient when you want to get your luggage on and off the plane. Also, at the Vilnius airport terminals and Kaunas, after passing the aviation security control, travelers with children can use wheelchairs for indoor use, this is especially useful when the child wants to sleep or the flight is unexpectedly delayed, “says the Head of the Department of Passenger Experience Management.

At all airports in the country, special safety seats and baby beds are also available at aviation security checkpoints, helping to care for the baby and necessary travel procedures at the same time. All airports are also equipped with comfortable baby feeding rooms, games and coloring areas to avoid boredom before the flight.

“Waiting for a flight at airports is not controlled, therefore parents preparing a minor for an independent trip should discuss certain rules in advance, indicate where to go for help, in one situation or another,” says R. Petraitienė.