Taking children abroad one parent and partner

[jstephens]

Many thanks for all the replies really helpful.
I will definitely look into getting a letter done closer to the time.
It just felt like a letter was easy to fake. It’s the case of who you get at each gate I presume but to think you would be refused is just a complete nightmare so definitely worth having something
Thanks Jon

[bighal]

If you have the same surname then it doesn't matter. Its when you take children who are yours but have different surnames. Otherwise everybody would need to take a letter when they take their own children abroad.

[jstephens]

Originally Posted by bighal

If you have the same surname then it doesn't matter. Its when you take children who are yours but have different surnames. Otherwise everybody would need to take a letter when they take their own children abroad.

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I see what your saying but I’m the only parent who will be there my partner will have a different surname.

[bighal]

Originally Posted by jstephens

I see what your saying but I’m the only parent who will be there my partner will have a different surname.

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So as long as you have the same surname and have legal custody, whether that's joint or sole then you don't need any letters.

[Connies Mummy]

I’ve never been quizzed going out of the country or arriving in another country, was asked once by us official if my daughters father knew we were travelling and I said that as long as he didn’t have to pay he didn’t mind! However every time I come back into the UK I get the third degree, worst time was coming in on an overnight bus from France when DD was about 5 and having been fast asleep and being woken at about 2 am when they asked “what is this ladies name.” DD said I don’t know! Eventually she said mummy and once I’d produced her birth certificate we were ok. Now it’s a standing joke that she needs to remember who I am when at immigration!

[jocesk]

I take copies of their birth certificates and a copy of their dads passport with a note from him in the back -signed with his phone number. I haven’t got same name as my kids so get asked a lot.

[Midges17]

In have now taken DS (11) 3 times on my own we have different surnames, he has his dads surname, I take a copy of his birth certificate but have never been asked for it once going into US he was asked who I was DS looked me up & down & in a tone of complete indignation he said she’s just my mum 😂 the officer tried hard not to laugh 🙈 but we have been questioned more landing back in Glasgow than in the MCO, but again never been asked for letter or birth certificate.

[Ridersmom]

Because of disputes between divorced parents, US customs might ask for a persmission letter when one parent is travelling alone with children. It doesn't matter if you are still married to the other parents. This is not new,

I took my three to Mexico to vacation with my ex who was working there and as asked. It was probably at least 20 years ago. Better to be safe than sorry. The travel agent for my ex's company had not heard of this so I sent her a link from the US state department. I am a divorce lawyer and advise my clients to get a letter even when travelling within the states (especially using public transportation)

Relocating children unbeknownst to the other parent has long been an issue here.

[Mqt]

Originally Posted by bighal

If you have the same surname then it doesn't matter. Its when you take children who are yours but have different surnames. Otherwise everybody would need to take a letter when they take their own children abroad.

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It really does matter. My granddaughter has my sons surname (he and his ex partner never married). Despite this he still got asked for a letter of permission and was nearly refused entry a couple of years ago. It’s not happened since but it’s not worth taking the chance.

[Wigan Lass]

Lots of poor advice on this thread.

I was stopped from taking my son from Orlando to Mexico because I didn’t have the correct paperwork.

Here is the link to the current guidance from the foreign office.

Plenty of people will tell you they’ve never been stopped or asked for anything and I know that is true because on plenty of other occasions I was also fine.

It only takes that one occasion though...

And it is absolutely right that there should be consent. Child trafficking and separated parents taking children without consent to countries they then cannot be repatriated from is very real

gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad