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Original poster

Birth certificate for taking child abroad

19 replies

Hellzbellz25 · 14/02/2023 20:18

I took my dd abroad last year with me and my parents, she has a different surname to us so I took her birth certificate and a letter from her dad just Incase

Her dad and I are taking her abroad on Sunday and they have the same surname, do I need to take anything to prove she's mine as he will be there and their names are the same?

Provably a stupid question but we've never done it before!

OP posts:

PuttingDownRoots · 14/02/2023 20:23

How old is she?
With little ones they check they respond to their name sometimes. My 9yo got a complete grilling about where she was born, how old she was, who she was travelling with...

Original poster

Hellzbellz25 · 14/02/2023 20:34

She's 10 nearly 11, I better take it just in case, just another thing I could do without carrying!!

OP posts:

LostMyMarblesToday · 14/02/2023 20:37

I was only ever asked when it was me and kids travelling. When dh is with us we don't carry birth certificates (kids have same surname as their dad).

Original poster

Hellzbellz25 · 14/02/2023 20:37

LostMyMarblesToday · 14/02/2023 20:37

I was only ever asked when it was me and kids travelling. When dh is with us we don't carry birth certificates (kids have same surname as their dad).

Thank you

OP posts:

PuttingDownRoots · 14/02/2023 20:38

I don't think you'll need it. I've only been asked for extra documentation once without their dad, never with him and their grandparents fly with them without issue either.

Wolfout · 14/02/2023 20:41

I have a different name to my DCs and it’s never been an issue when travelling with their Dad (who has the same surname). We’ve been abroad many times and never been asked for birth certificates.

However, they do sometimes ask the kids a few questions, especially in America when my 6 year old got asked to spell her full name out….

MathsIsFab · 14/02/2023 20:43

Take it just in case you have to separate in the airport from DH (happened to me. 😕)

strandedabroad · 14/02/2023 20:49

Take a picture of it just in case. But with both parents there, the problem doesn't exist.

anomaly23 · 14/02/2023 20:52

When ds was 4 I hadn't changed my passport to my married name (I still had years left on it) and I was grilled by the check in clerk about ds dob/have I traveled with him before/where were we going/why were we going/when's his birthday/can she see my marriage certificate and ds birth certificate. I didn't have the certificates with me and she said she would need to speak to her superior about how to prove I'm his mother and we may not be going away on holiday. No one asked dh a thing.

I asked for her manager as I was becoming uncomfortable with the amount of questions she was asking me and then the threat of her supervisor. The manager apologised as asking my relationship to ds and me confirming his dob was more than enough information.

Ds, dh and I had been away abroad several times a year and I'd never been asked that amount of questions before.

Original poster

Hellzbellz25 · 14/02/2023 22:11

Thanks all

OP posts:

mastertomsmum · 23/05/2023 14:48

My DS has my surname (and it’s an unusual one) as one of his middle names. This has always worked ok for us. I’ve been married for many years but never took the DH’s surname. Literally the only time this has been problematic has been with attorney powers for aged parents where my married name was used and - in theory - I could have been asked to show my marriage certificate on every bank visit

HicLocusEst · 23/05/2023 14:52

Old thread, but it's less to do with different surnames and more to do with a lone parent (or people who are not the parents) taking a minor out of the country.

Cantthinkofaname2203 · 23/05/2023 15:15

It isn’t a name thing- it’s a permission from all those with PR thing.

if you are travelling alone with your children you may need those documents regardless of names- you need to evidence that everyone with PR knows about/gives permission.

when both parents are travelling then they both clearly are consenting to the child being taken out the country.

last time I travelled it was a mum with 2 kids with the same names stopped and asked for her proof she had dad’s agreement. Of course she didn’t because she’d assumed same name didn’t need them. Nearly ended up not travelling- only did because the kids were old enough to speak up.

mastertomsmum · 23/05/2023 18:09

HicLocusEst · 23/05/2023 14:52

Old thread, but it's less to do with different surnames and more to do with a lone parent (or people who are not the parents) taking a minor out of the country.

My DS is an adult later this year. Sounds like things have changed in recent years. It seems harsh, esp since most kids travelling with one parent or their grandparents are in no danger of abduction etc.

Switchingup · 23/05/2023 18:13

My dc are travelling with grandparents and no parents in around 8 weeks what do we need to do?

TiredOfCleaning · 23/05/2023 18:15

Take everything just in case but if you are all going together I doubt it will be an issue.

I am a different nationality to my Dcs and have a different surname to them. If I am travelling on my own I take a letter from DH and their birth certificates and my marriage certificate.

If we are travelling together I just take our passports.

TiredOfCleaning · 23/05/2023 18:17

Switchingup · 23/05/2023 18:13

My dc are travelling with grandparents and no parents in around 8 weeks what do we need to do?

letters of support saying you know they are going away plus all your passport details and contact details. You might also want to get a sletter of support certified by a solicitor or someone. Always do overkill as far as I am concerned (I am a solicitor and do documentary overkill as the default).

But remember it might be afaff but it is only right and proper that UK border force know that these children are being taken abroad with the full cooperation of their parents.

Cantthinkofaname2203 · 23/05/2023 18:18

Switchingup · 23/05/2023 18:13

My dc are travelling with grandparents and no parents in around 8 weeks what do we need to do?

Google a loco parentis form and fill/sign.

this is what we do when taking kids away for sports trips etc. just need parental permission.

HicLocusEst · 23/05/2023 18:27

mastertomsmum · 23/05/2023 18:09

Show quote history

It's been advice since at least the early 90s in the UK, but it's not a legal requirement. That's why only a sample of lone adults, or adults who are clearly not the child's parents will be stopped. Fact is, most children involved in cross border abduction are abducted by a parent. We still think of abduction as being bogeymen in vans snatching children from parks. The sad reality is that statistically, it's far more likely to be their Dad. (mothers abduct too, but as they are invariably given custody, it's less common)

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