7 documents LGBTQI+ families should always carry when traveling
While LGBTQI+ families planning trips with points and miles share most of the same highs and lows of any family traveling together, there are some challenges unique to the LGBTQI+ family travel space.
Traveling with small children already comes with a new set of distinctly non-glamorous and nerve-wracking hurdles. From carrying infant formula to simply keeping up with small humans who somehow take on superhuman speed in airports, it’s different than anything you experience before welcoming a child to the family.
The anxiety that can accompany all family travel may increase several notches, however, when you travel as an LGBTQI+ family, especially given some common heteronormative expectations.
As a gay man who has traveled numerous times with my twins, I’ve heard all varieties of “How nice that you are taking the kids for your wife” or “Where is their mommy?” Those comments and expectations can add to the regular challenges of coaching your kids through the airport process.
While most of us have become well-equipped in how to handle typical nosy neighbors’ comments, it is the more formal scrutiny that happens at airport check-ins, security screenings, passport control, hotel check-ins and even unplanned visits to the emergency rooms that can trip up even the most seasoned LGBTQI+ family travelers.
With that in mind, there's one thing LGBTQI+ families should never leave home without, whether your destination is Peoria or Peru: a bag full of important documents.
Related: These LGBTQ-focused travel companies can help you plan the perfect cruise
7 travel documents to carry
The easiest way to head off potential trouble is to prepare a large plastic bag that includes the following “extra” documents. If you do find yourself held to a higher standard, my recommendation is to “kill them with kindness,” as my nana used to say, and give the person inquiring a lot of additional information that might make them blush.
That includes:
- A copy of each child’s birth certificate.
- Parentage and/or custody documents for accompanying minor children (especially if your children do not share your last name).
- A notarized letter giving your spouse or partner permission to travel with your child if you don’t share the same last name.
- A Child Care Authorization for Medical Care if you don’t share a last name — and one for any additional caregiver.
- A copy of any insurance cards with the child’s name (and ideally, your name).
- Emergency contact list including how to reach your child’s pediatrician, dentist and any specialty doctors (these supporting cast members often calm questioning doctors in strange lands).
- U.S. Passport Cards that you can apply for at the same time you apply for a passport.
Read more: From Asheville to Prague: 11 underrated LGBTQIA+ friendly destinations to visit in 2022
Tips for applying for passports as an LGBTQ family
Obtaining a passport as an LGBTQI+ family is not always as simple as just filling out the usual paperwork.
State passport agencies will require an original birth certificate that includes the relevant birth and parent information, as well as the registrar’s signature and the seal of the issuing authority. You can obtain this version of the birth certificate by making a request to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in the state of your child’s birth.
If you are a single parent, the agency may ask to see a custody agreement. The State Department updated this form to say “Father/Mother/Parent.”
If you encounter any issues, try reaching out to your local U.S. congressperson and/or U.S. senator, who have staffers dedicated to helping constituents with passport issues. Note that there has been a case where the U.S. has denied a passport to a same-sex couple’s child born via surrogacy abroad. However, a federal judge ordered the State Department to issue the child a U.S. passport.
Bottom line
Traveling with a few extra documents can go a long way to giving you peace of mind. You may never be asked to produce this paperwork. However, you’ll be glad to have it readily available if someone does.
Related: LGBTQ family travel tips to keep you safe and sane
Additional reporting by Caroline Tanner.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.