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Original poster

Do I need written authorisation to take friend’s child on holiday?

16 replies

LittleScottish · 09/10/2019 09:54

Morning all,

We’re taking a friend’s son (our godson) on holiday with us, as company for our only child, in the hope that they’ll amuse each other and I can peacefully drink wine and read a book!

Do you think we’re likely to encounter any resistance / questioning at airport security (we’re going from a UK airport to a Greek island with a package company) with regards to the Godson having a different surname etc?

Will I need a letter of authority from his parents, do you think? (He’s 14, so a minor)

Thanks

OP posts:
thistimeofyear · 09/10/2019 10:04

Yes you need a letter from the parent. We took DDs friend abroad in summer with us and we had a short note from her DM along the lines of “I DM of x give permission for x to go on holiday with thistimeofyear and DP who are family friends” and we had her phone no and email in case authorities needed it. We only got asked for it coming back into uk by uk passport control and they seemed fine with it.

OMGshefoundmeout · 09/10/2019 10:10

You don’t ‘need’ one. I’ve often taken young friends/relations with us and have never been asked but I think it’s a very good idea to take one.

I was once asked if I had permission to take (DH’s) company car out of the country. . That one surprised me. They didn’t mention any of the children asleep in the car at the time!

Glitterfisher · 09/10/2019 10:25

I think the rules are that you do need one. I was stopped with my friends son on the way home once. Not on the way out of Gatwick though which is bizarre. I was told you had to have one by the airport staff. They did let us through but were very rude about it.

They actually had no idea why we needed a note, she said what if something happened to him when you were out there, I said well of course he has travel insurance and something could happen to him if his parents were there. Presumably the real reason is actually that we could have kidnapped him!!

thistimeofyear · 09/10/2019 10:34

It’s to protect those young people who may be being trafficked. It’s a good thing

HolyChickpea · 09/10/2019 10:49

Glitterfisher they meant that if you didn't have evidence that his parents had given you permission to be his temporary guardian for the trip, you wouldn't have been able to authorise any emergency treatment or medical decisions. Travel insurance is irrelevant.

Yes it's to safeguard children and fight trafficking. It's not the law that you have to carry something, but it is the law that UK passport officers have to make necessary checks, so a letter stops you being interrogated. Likewise for children and parents with different surnames - always carry a copy of the full birth certificate.

GymNovice · 09/10/2019 10:50

I would, even if you don't need one. Might be worth thinking of something that would authorise you to get medical treatment if need be.

OublietteBravo · 09/10/2019 10:52

Yes. DD went away with her friend’s family in the summer, and they were asked for the permission letter at passport control.

Fluandseptember · 09/10/2019 10:52

what's so maddening is that there seem to be no checks on leaving, but fierce ones to be allowed back home again! Are loads of kids trafficked INTO the UK, but not out??!

Fluandseptember · 09/10/2019 10:53

(but yes, just get a letter... avoids grief...)

OublietteBravo · 09/10/2019 10:53

(DD is 15)

nancy75 · 09/10/2019 10:56

It's a bit ridiculous, if you are able to obtain a child to traffic you are probably able to fake a letter from it's parents.

Original poster
LittleScottish · 09/10/2019 11:15

So glad I asked - thank you everyone! Will update post-hol for anyone interested!

OP posts:
thistimeofyear · 09/10/2019 11:21

I have been asked when leaving UK also when travelling to Holland with DD who has different surname to me

SunshineAngel · 09/10/2019 11:28

We always send our DSS with a letter when he goes on holiday with his mum, as he has our surname. She always insists we write one just in case, but so far she has never been asked to produce it.

Glitterfisher · 09/10/2019 11:49

Holychickpea - that makes sense but the lady had no idea when I asked her what she meant. That was when she let us through, she seemed flustered and rude TBH. If that is in fact correct and there is no way round it then surely it should not be allowed in any circumstances to take someone else's child abroad without a letter.

I actually had no idea you had to have a letter before that trip, I had heard about it but like on this thread people had said it's not necessary.

Popetthetreehugger · 09/10/2019 13:27

Years ago , on a euro camping holiday with another family, at a break the kids sort of jumbled up to sit with friends rather than siblings, didn't even think about it till cars got separated at the port ... we had 2 kids with no ID or passports! Thankfully they just did head count ..... but this was probably 25 years ago !

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