Flying to the EU with children after separation without father's letter

We flew home via London recently, I was asked if I had permission for our two so I showed a letter from my husband and their adoption certificates.

It really varies, you don’t always get asked, I would say the majority of the time we’re not asked if we’re traveling alone, but we always have everything just in case it is needed.

You can go to court to get consent to take them abroad without permission, you can then take the court document with you each time you fly.

According to government rules, official travel advise and AI, yes you’re supposed to have a letter.
reality is both myself and my ex husband have travelled abroad probably about 40 times between us with our children without the other parent and we have never once been asked for the letter, which especially him, we’ve often forgotten to bring anyway. But we do know a friend who was denied a flight to SA as he didn’t have the letter.

Officially yes you need his permission and a letter. I know people who’ve been stopped and some that haven’t, pot luck probably

never understand why non married mums give their children their partners surname but guess that’s a whole other thread in itself !

I’m married but often take DS abroad solo and we have different names. I’m asked about 50% of the time for documents, generally when coming back to the UK.

Ironically, and totally unlogically, you are more likely to be questioned upon your return...which will result in them just saying next time you'll need a letter from the dad, which again is stupid because anyone could write it!

We have never been asked travelling single with the children. But of course it's recommended to carry a letter frlm the other parent.

It’s totally random. My DC have my last name but my best friend regularly got asked about her DC who do not. So she made sure she always had the letter from ex with updated details.

Best to have a letter, as that’s the process. In reality, you’re rarely asked. My DC have a different surname to me, and we have travelled all over (they are young adults now) and I wasn’t asked once. They have an asian surname too, and DD has an Arabic first name, so very different to me, but no-one has ever questioned me. Their dad (my ext has also travelled with them without me and not asked either. Might be worth just getting him so sign a letter.

I’d take a copy of the no contact agreement and the custody agreement with you. If they ask for a letter explain that you don’t have one and show those instead

Where are you going?
i have never been asked, however the children have my name as a middle name on their passport. The only time there’s been any questioning was going to Portugal and the attendant said they are stricter after M McCann. The ground crew asked the child directly who I was.

I’ve flown repeatedly with mine with different surnames and it’s never been an issue. Once they asked DC who I was, DC said Mummy, and that was that.

I'm in this situation however for years and years I've travelled alone with my kids as DH couldn't always come due to work commitments. Never once been asked!

I've taken pics of their birth certificates on my phone, but tbh the fact that their dad and I are now separated hasn't changed anything! They have his surname, I didn't change mine when we got married