DFCS requires knowledge of a foster child’s whereabouts at all times and must provide “expressed, written consent” before the child can travel outside of Georgia. Special letters for travel out of state must be obtained from the child’s legal county DFCS office. Contact your child’s case manager to obtain this travel letter. 

Whenever possible, please provide a minimum of two weeks for a travel request. More notice may be required for situations requiring parental and/or court approval. 

If you are planning to travel out-of-state with your foster child for a period of two days or less: 

• Accurate emergency contact information must be provided for where you can be reached at all times while you are away
• A written authorization shall be obtained from the child’s birth parent and/or the Juvenile Court, when the child is in the temporary custody of DFCS. 
• Written authorization may be granted by the County Director/Designee if the child is in the permanent custody of DFCS. 
• Written authorization shall include express authorization for the caregiver to obtain emergency medical treatment for the child.

NOTE: This requirement makes an exception for children whose placement borders another state whose close proximity makes traveling across the state line part of the caregivers’ normal routine. 

If you are planning to travel outside the United States, all requirements stated above must be met, in addition to:

For out-of-country trips, written authorization shall be obtained from the child’s birth parent and/or Juvenile Court, when the child is in the temporary custody of DFCS. 

Even if you are planning to travel without the child, DFCS must be notified within the required timeframe so that adequate child care can be arranged during your absence. These arrangements will be made by the agency or via collaboration between you and the agency. There is no financial reimbursement, other than the standard per diem, for vacations or other travel for a child in care.

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