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Original poster

Can I take DC to Europe without DP?

24 replies

Whitegrenache · 26/03/2019 08:12

Following on from another thread I saw earlier and it got me thinking!

I'm off to Gran Canaria in April with kids on my own for first time abroad without dp (we usually go as a family)

They have their dads surname as we are unmarried

Will there be an issue at passport control?

Do I need their birth certificates?

Confused
OP posts:
FinallyGotAnIPhone · 26/03/2019 08:14

I’m not with the father of my children and my children and I have different names. I’ve taken them abroad a lot on my own and never had an issue.

bluejelly · 26/03/2019 08:15

Might as well take BC and a letter from him confirming that you have his permission. I doubt you will have to produce either though.

fourcanaries · 26/03/2019 08:17

I recently flew back into Newcastle and noticed a sign saying if you are a family travelling and have different names please be prepared to answer some questions. Not that this helps you but it seems to be a thing now.

Original poster
Whitegrenache · 26/03/2019 09:56

Thanks all - I'll take copies of birth Certa just in case.

They are 10 and 13 so probably able to an so questions if asked! Although they may disown me Grin

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 26/03/2019 09:59

I’ve had to answered questions about my dds when travelling & we had the same name. Possibly because I didn’t have any luggage other than a shoulder handbag I may have looked suspicious.

RoseReally · 26/03/2019 10:01

I am married but didn't change my name. DD has DH surname. I travel with her alone a couple of times a year. Have been asked for the birth certificate a few times. Mosy recently I was asked "Are you the mum?" - "Yes". I also bring my marriage certificate with me but I've never been asked for that and actually I guess that's fairly meaningless. It depends on the country you're visiting though. I would have a look, I believe sometimes you're supposed to have a notorised letter from the absent parent!

I really, really wish they would just put parents names on children's passports.

theliverpoolone · 26/03/2019 10:33

I have a different surname to dd, and the only times we've been questioned have been when arriving back in the UK, not going out Confused . Along the lines of them asking her 'Who's this you're with, is she your mum?' I always carry a copy of her birth certificate, just in case. It's frustrating, as the more likely (still very unlikely!) person to be abducting her would be her dad, with the same surname!

whitesoxx · 26/03/2019 10:35

Why would the most likely person to be abducting her her dad?!

I don't get the letter thing. Surely you could just write a letter yourself and fake signature?

WendyCope · 26/03/2019 10:41

Yes, I am usually asked or DD is asked who I am. She has different passport and surname though.

I always carry a note from DH saying he is the father etc.

Worst one was Morocco, she was taken off to be questioned (7 yrs).
Also questioned coming into UK.
Never in Spain (DD is Spanish) and we live here.

It is a good idea to take copies of certs. just in case.

Parker231 · 26/03/2019 10:44

We’ve been asked - DC’s have double barrelled surname and different passport to me. Became easier when they could answer the questions themselves although was never sure what teenage DS would say!

theliverpoolone · 26/03/2019 11:09

Whitesoxx because he is the non-resident parent and in less-than-amicable break-ups, that is a (very very slight) risk. I know I wouldn't abduct my dd, but I can't be 100% sure he wouldn't.

whitesoxx · 26/03/2019 11:13

I see what you are saying Liverpool but looking at me and OH it would be more likely me abducting them. (We are together and he's a good dad so this is hypothetical).

I'd do absolutely anything to protect them and if I felt that was fleeing with them I'd do it. I'm not sure he'd have the balls or determination or even the thought to do it!

WendyCope · 26/03/2019 11:15

Whitesox I am not allowed to up sticks with my DD without legal permission from DH as she was born in Spain and he is Spanish.

I would be arrested for abduction.

It's called 'The Hague Convention'. Parents do 'abduct' their DC's (even though to you and me it might not seem to be abduction, it is)

Parents in the situation thepool describes are the most likely people to abduct. Hence need for BC's etc.

WendyCope · 26/03/2019 11:18

Whitesoxx you would be arrested if you were taking them out of the country of their birth.

whitesoxx · 26/03/2019 11:19

Yeah, it's not something I know about. Just remember watching a programme on it once.

They'd have to catch me though before they could arrest me Wink

WendyCope · 26/03/2019 11:20

If your DH (hypothetically!) reported you all missing, it would be out of his hands too!

Believe me, I've looked into it... I love (sometimes) considering returning to the UK, but can't!

whitesoxx · 26/03/2019 11:22

Haha, I wonder how long til he noticed we'd gone sometimes Grin

Might try it in the holidays. See how long it takes him to text "where are you?"

"France, love. Come join us Wine

whitesoxx · 26/03/2019 11:23

On a more serious note, how long are you likely to be stuck in Spain? Can you move back once she is 16? 18?

WendyCope · 26/03/2019 11:29

18 Hmm So 8 more years. But then I'll stay while she's at uni, I would imagine. I just have periods when I sometimes fantasize about coming home.

I had no bloody idea when I gave birth in Madrid what I was letting myself in for.

But, TBH it wouldn't be fair on DD really to move back.

I do love lots about Spain though. I'm just in a really, really traditional Spanish bit where it can be a bit lonely at times.

Sorry OP for hijack! But yes, they are getting more and more insistent on BC's etc when you travel.

chasegirl · 26/03/2019 11:33

My dd has her Dad's surname (we are no longer together) and I have only been asked questions on return to the UK. I was advised by a border control person to take dds birth cert with us when we travel. Apparently its for child trafficking reasons

whitesoxx · 26/03/2019 11:37

Wendy at least you don't absolutely hate Spain. Must be difficult though.

Sorry for the thread hijack op

Original poster
Whitegrenache · 26/03/2019 15:07

Oh ok I'll take copies of birth certificate
It's Gran Canaria we are going to

OP posts:
VioletWillow · 26/03/2019 16:37

You can get a form for the parent to sign to say it is OK - I travel a lot with the kids and only this year I got stopped - but for me it was me with a British passport and the girls on their German passports - I had all sorts of questions at customs and then they phoned my husband to check if he knew where they were - he had the shock of his life! Coming out of the UK they just asked if they were my children. I never get asked for my biggest who is nearly 17 and taller than me - I assume they think it would be difficult to abduct him. Oh a couple of years ago I randomly got asked my middle's date of birth and they were really suspicious when it took me a second! So it can vary. Always be prepared if you can.

TalkinPaece · 26/03/2019 17:03

Who knows?
We have absolutely no idea what final arrangements will be in place after this Friday and April 12th.
Chances are you'll all get stamps in your passports though Smile

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