News

Are your children ready to PCS overseas?

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class William Johnson
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Are you scheduled for a permanent change of station overseas with a minor? Do you have all the necessary documentation for international travel with your family?

Airmen who are scheduled to PCS or who have plans to travel overseas should follow a few simple tips outlined by the Department of Homeland Security and the 436th Airlift Wing Legal Office.

All children, including infants, must have their own passports or Trusted Traveler Program documents for international travel and parents must carry documents for traveling with children. Even Airmen who are projected to get orders overseas should begin the paperwork process now to ensure they have the proper documentation to PCS.

Capt. Tiny Cox, 436th AW assistant staff judge advocate, said one of the biggest problems she sees is parents waiting until the last minute to begin the process, resulting in setbacks sometimes so problematic it prevents the spouse and child from leaving with the military member until the paper work is completed.

"If you plan on putting on your dream sheet anything as far as overseas, you probably want to start getting paperwork ready for your children, especially if you are married to a civilian," said Cox. "You want to get all the paperwork necessary for travel and start working that as soon as possible or your child could be delayed travel or stuck in the United States and your spouse won't be able to go with you."

Parents must also carry documents when traveling with children overseas. If the child is accompanied by only one parent, the parent should have a letter from the child's other parent acknowledging the child is traveling out of the country and has the other parent's permission. If a single parent has sole custody, a copy of the court custody document can replace the letter from the other parent.

However, if you are escorting a minor child without the parents, you must have a letter from both parents indicating you have permission to travel with the minor.

For more information about traveling overseas please visit the DHS at: http://www.dhs.gov/how-do-i/travel-overseas