Flying with DCs as a newly single parent

[bumbelinabumsquash]

Hi,
I'm taking my kids to France for the first holiday since DH left us. Do I need a letter of consent from him confirming he's consenting to me taking them abroad? He takes them to Greece in a few weeks too so I want to make sure in case he needs a letter of consent from me. Thanks.

Do you both have their name? If so I don't think you need a letter. But I am not sure my experience might be out of date...

Yes, you do in the absence of of a court order.

Yes, just in case officials this end ask. Both write letters including a contact telephone number just in case and carry the dcs birth certificate showing you as parent ideally too. I've traveled and not been asked, I've also travelled and been asked!

This is all great advice. Thank you. I'll write a letter.

How do they know you are separated? I take my kids to France and Dublin all the time without their dad, do I need a consent letter? I've certainly never been asked for one

Update..: I did need a letter! I was grilled at border control and had to show the letter. They called the kids dad too for proof.

I have a court order so take that, birth certificates, my marriage certificate and decree absolute. I have been asked every time I return.

Yes you do need a letter of consent, as anybody does for ANY minor being taken abroad without both parents.

https://www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad

Legal requirements here for anybody unsure. You also need to check the legal requirements of the country you are entering as some require a notarised consent letter.

Hi all, sorry just jumping on this thread with a slightly different question but is related....does anyone know how to get around taking your child abroad as a single mother if the father is not involved and lives abroad?

This is the case for my friend - broke up with husband last year who is American, he lives over there and has minimal involvement with their baby, she lives in the UK. She would not be able to get a letter from him to say it's ok to take her baby out of the country on holiday. Is there a way to apply to court to say you don't need one? They are now divorced but both names on the (US) birth certificate.

Thank you!

I am a single parent and have travelled quite a bit with my DC. I am regularly asked for birth certificates but haven’t yet been asked for a letter.

@Imenti - if she can afford it I think I’d see a solicitor for advice, particularly as it’s a US birth certificate. Or she could try contacting - I guess Home office? Maybe ask her MP who to even ask.

Actually that link makes clear she does need to get permission from the court

She would need to apply for documentation saying the father has no PR.

PS names, surnames etc are a red herring, though often cited as the reason people may be stopped and questioned. Whilst it's true a child being taken abroad by an adult with a different surname may be more likely to be questioned, the basic premise is as above. Anybody with parental responsibility needs to give permission before anybody else (with parental responsibility or not- ie the other parent) can take the child abroad.

Not all minors without (on the surface) both parents will be stopped.

A mother taking her child on a Tui to Majorca- possible but less probable

A father taking his daughter to a country where FGM or child marriage is commonplace - he's not getting on that plane.

Extreme, but relevant examples of why checks are made.

Thanks for the advice everyone x