Here is a selection of recent questions relating to travel documentation, money requirements and the logistics of traveling abroad. Planning ahead is key.

We want to ship our motorcycle to Germany. Where can we purchase a green card for insurance?
You should be able to purchase your green card from the insurer who issued your motorcycle insurance policy. If your insurer is AAA, then please contact your local office. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and Motorcycle Express (which is endorsed by the AMA for shipping motorcycles overseas) may also be useful contacts.... Read More

If you are visiting another country — including Mexico — by yourself with a child under 18, you need more than just the usual travel documents. To help prevent cases of parental abduction, many countries now require proof of your relationship to the child and your legal right to have them accompany you in and out of the country.... Read More

We are frequently asked for information on what documentation is needed for traveling internationally with children. Although I normally make my husband fill out all the paperwork, here's some additional tips.

First, the required information: All U.S. citizens regardless of age must have their own passport if they are traveling internationally, even to Canada and Mexico.   A Passport Card can be used for auto and ship travel to Canada and Mexico from the U.S. but AAA recommends a passport in the event you have to fly back in.... Read More

 
If you're thinking about driving on your next overseas vacation, as our bloggers did in Ireland and Mexico, you'll want to get an IDP.

What is an International Driving Permit or IDP?
An IDP functions as an official translation of a U.S. driver's license into ten foreign languages

Why would I need one?
If you’re planning to drive overseas, many countries do not recognize U.S. driver's licenses, however, most countries accept and may require an International Driving Permit (IDP) or Inter-American Driving Permit (IADP).... Read More

     You should always have a current passport because you never know when someone might invite you to Paris for the weekend.

People laugh when I recite what I’ve come to call “Elizabeth’s mantra,” but it’s not far-fetched. A few years ago, my sister got a phone call from a friend who’d won a trip to Monaco as an incentive prize. “We have to leave next week,” said the friend. “Can you do it?” ... Read More

   Beginning June 1, U.S. citizens returning home from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda by land or sea will be required to have a passport, passport card or other travel documents approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security pertaining to specific populations and situations. Forms of identification that were previously accepted at land crossings -- including voter registration cards and birth certificates -- will no longer be acceptable to gain entry or re-entry to the United States.

Acceptable forms of identification include the new U.S. Passport Card introduced in July 2008 to expedite the frequent travel of U.S.... Read More

Question: Cher G asks: Does AAA have an agent/service in San Francisco that will obtain a visa for travel to China on a member's behalf?

Answer: AAA Travel's Lynda Gwynn says: Many AAA offices do provide travel visa processing for China and a number of other countries in addition to passport services, international driving permits and other travel documentation. Depending on the type of visa you are looking for and the speed with which you wish to obtain it, there are varying processing fees for the service. Your local AAA office can provide you with additional detail. In San Francisco, the local AAA office asked that we direct you to our partner Travisa located at 41 Sutter St. # 214, San Francisco, CA 94104. Telephone:415-837-0771.

Question: Mike M. asks: My daughter is traveling out of the country on vacation with another family. Do you have a sample letter or can you give me an idea of what the letter should say? I am told that the family should have a notarized letter giving them permission to take our daughter with them.

Answer: Renuka Sastri, who travels frequently with her children answers:  We recently used such a letter when I planned a trip for our children. You can paste the text below into a Word document and have it notarized at a local Kinko’s or any place that offers notary services. You will need a new letter for each trip.

Letter of Authorization for Travel

(Date)
I (parent's name), authorize my child/children, (child/children’s name) to travel to (destination) on (date of travel) aboard Airline/Flight # (flight information) with (accompanying adults), returning on (date of return).

Signed by Parent or Parents
Name:
Address:
Telephone/Contact:

Notary Public Signature/Seal

Some points to note: You can use the same form for parents or legal guardians. I’ve used “parents” here for simplicity.

If your child is traveling with someone other than a parent: If both parents’ names appear on the birth certificate and/or passport, be sure to include both names in the letter. If multiple adults are going to be responsible at different times for your child on the trip, be sure to include all the names.

If your child is traveling with one parent: The letter needs to be signed by the parent not on the trip. I recommend you take two originals in the event immigration authorities need to keep one on entry at your destination.  You will need a valid ID for the notary. The documents must be signed at the time of notarization, not before.  Be sure to include a copy of the child's proof of medical insurance coverage. It is recommended that divorced parents take a copy of their custody agreement as well.
 
Other resources:
- Country Specific Information from the US Department of State
- Family and Children's Passport Issues
Other blog posts worth reading:
- Travel Documents For Children
- Travel Documentation for Solo Parent Travel 

Question: Leone Tromper asks:  I will be traveling to Germany and Austria this May, and I'll be renting a car.  Do I need an international driver's license?
 
Answer: AAA Travel's Lynda Gwynn answers: An International Driving Permit is an official translation of your valid U.S. license and is not a license to drive. AAA is one of only two entities authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs to U.S. residents per the 1949 U.N. Convention on Road Traffic...beware of fraudulent issuers' scams on the Internet (see Road Safety Overseas on the Travel.State.Gov Web site). While an IDP is highly recommended for... Read More

Question:  Everett Fiegi of Montana writes:  I am planning a trip to Kiev, Ukraine in August 2009 for about a 20 day stay. I have checked a couple of different websites concerning entry requirements into Ukraine. One states that U.S. citizens are not required to have a visa, only a passport. The other website states that a Ukrainian visa is required. I am going as a tourist and not on business.

Answer: Lynda Gwynn of AAA Travel responds:  According to Travisa, AAA’s preferred passport and visa service provider, a U.S. citizen does not need a visa for tourist stays up to 90... Read More