Taking children abroad one parent and partner

[Joshie1]

I actually hadn’t thought about this at all but I am traveling with DS next year and DH is staying at home. I went searching for that the US gov website says and this is what I found. ( I’ll be taking a letter from DH with me) ...

Children Traveling With One Parent Or With Someone Who Is Not A Parent Or Legal Guardian
Home / Visas / Travel & Tourism / Travelers FAQs / Children Traveling With One Parent Or With Someone Who Is Not A Parent Or Legal Guardian
If a child (under the age of 18) is traveling with only one parent or with someone who is not a parent or legal guardian, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that the accompanying adult have a note from the non-traveling parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with neither parent, a note signed by both parents) stating “I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter/group. He/She/They has/have my/our permission to do so.”

CBP suggests that this note be notarized. If there is no second parent with legal custody of the child (e..g., the second parent is deceased, one parent has sole custody, etc.), relevant paperwork such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., would be useful as well.

While CBP may not ask to see this documentation when the child enters the U.S., the U.S. is very sensitive to the possibility of child abduction and trafficking, and the child and accompanying adult could be detained if questions arise about the situation. While the U.S. does not require this documentation, many other countries do, and onward travel could be impeded without a notarized permission letter and/or other documentation. (Canada, for example, has very strict requirements in this regard).

[nats1211]

When holidaying previously with my partner and son I have taken a letter of permission and birth certificate. This time I am in a quandary as my sons Dad passed away last year so I won’t have a letter of permission. We are going to take a full birth certificate listing me as his mother and hopefully that will be fine. To be fair, we weren’t asked any questions on entry to the US however we were given the third degree on the way back in arriving at Gatwick.

[Blue nose]

Originally Posted by nats1211

When holidaying previously with my partner and son I have taken a letter of permission and birth certificate. This time I am in a quandary as my sons Dad passed away last year so I won’t have a letter of permission. We are going to take a full birth certificate listing me as his mother and hopefully that will be fine. To be fair, we weren’t asked any questions on entry to the US however we were given the third degree on the way back in arriving at Gatwick.

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Is it worth taking a copy of the death cert too? Sorry if it sounds insensitive but to be able prove that's why you've not got consent could help if questioned.

We travel as a family of 4 and were quizzed returning to Manchester once as we went through passport control as a parent and child as split in the queue. After that telling off always stick together now.

[nats1211]

Originally Posted by Blue nose

Is it worth taking a copy of the death cert too? Sorry if it sounds insensitive but to be able prove that's why you've not got consent could help if questioned.

We travel as a family of 4 and were quizzed returning to Manchester once as we went through passport control as a parent and child as split in the queue. After that telling off always stick together now.

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I did think that but I’m really struggling to bring myself to ask my ex FIL for a copy. I think I’ll have too though.

[sparklegirl]

Originally Posted by nats1211

I did think that but I’m really struggling to bring myself to ask my ex FIL for a copy. I think I’ll have too though.

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Can you get one direct from the registrars office? I know up here in Scotland we can but not sure where you are or what the rules are.

[duchy]

Originally Posted by Sparky

I’ve travelled to the US many times with just my 2 kids even when they were as young as 5 and 3 and I’ve never been asked or needed to provide any information.

If I’m honest I would have been totally offended if I had.

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Why would you be offended ?
It's not personal and for the protection of all children. Far too many children are taken abroad illegally. If this stops even one tragedy then your offendedness is a small price to pay. You are an adult, you'll get over it !

[duchy]

Originally Posted by nats1211

I did think that but I’m really struggling to bring myself to ask my ex FIL for a copy. I think I’ll have too though.

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You could just buy a copy without your FIL needing to be involved

[Rawhide]

My kids are older, but last time we went I had their mum sign a simple consent letter.

Though they went to Lanzarote this summer with her, and I didn’t sign a thing...