US customs - with children

Hi,

Flying into LAX next week with my wife and 2 boys, aged 8 and 11 for the first time, and I have a couple of questions relting to the entry procedure

Will we be questioned as a family as to our reason for wanting to enter?

Will the childern have to provided finger/eye scans?

Do we need to print out our ESTA forms and provide them?

Many thanks

Hi Jackrory & welcome

Usually immigration ask your reason & we have always replied for a holiday, which is true.

I don't know the answer to whether or not your children will need to be finger printed etc, but I have no doubt that a guru oo) will answer this for you.

There is no need to print the ESTA forms & take them with you. We always take a note of the numbers though, should there be a query. Just make sure you have entered the details of where you are staying at least 72 hours before your flight.

Enjoy & remember the TR y)

R-P

Thanks Roxy

TR for sure!! I've been reading quite a few over the last few days, dreading and looking forward to our flight in economy in equal measure.

Paul

You will be fine

You don't need to do any 'homework' but it would be an idea to be able to answer questions like 'what will you do while you are here?' with some specific places and plans rather than just a vague 'look around'.

They might ask about money so say 'We have $ x plus my credit card'

I'm not sure about your kids being fingerprinted so check on the CBP website for specific advice. They might think it fun to be finger printed !

As to ESTA they wont want to see a print-out and if you don't all have ESTAs VS may well refuse to carry you and it will be on their check-in screen that you have one (or not).

Technically having an ESTA just gets you on the plane - it is the officers decision whether to let you in or not!

[Neil]

Yes, your children will have to provide a finger scan and also have their picture taken.

You will all go through together.

That must slow things up a bit, lifting your children up high enough to get their prints scenned. I can't say I've ever noticed whether children are asked to provide fingerprints.

That must slow things up a bit, lifting your children up high enough to get their prints scenned. I can't say I've ever noticed whether children are asked to provide fingerprints.

Good practise for the parks, as they'll need to do at universal/ seaworld etc if you are on more than single entry ticket...

That must slow things up a bit, lifting your children up high enough to get their prints scenned. I can't say I've ever noticed whether children are asked to provide fingerprints.

You should see the number of adults who can't follow simple instruction like

'right 4 fingers please'

*confusion*

'NO your other right hand'

Our kids have never been asked to provide fingerprints or be photographed by immigration on any of our US trips. They are currently aged 9 and 12.

We have found from experience at MCO that fingerprinting and photographs starts at age 14.

Thanks all for the info

to be pedantic its immigration you clear first ,all you really need to know is where you are staying first night. you all go through together.

once you have and collect your bags then you do customs -which is where you hand over the blue customs form .

they are usually pretty good with kids around