Anxious traveller taking DD away for first time - different surnames

[SaunteringDownwards]

DD'S best friend lives in Belgium and due to financial constraints she has only ever come to visit with us here. However I want to surprise DD with Eurostar tickets to Belgium for a holiday for her sixteenth in a few weeks. I am an anxious traveller but managed to pull of a solo trip to Amsterdam to meet some distant family last year and managed with the Eurostar no issues (thanks to lovely mumsnetters who gave me a step by step guide on what to do!). DD has never even been abroad!

My only worry is that I am not a British or EU citizen and DD is, she also has a different surname. Will this cause problems coming in and out of the country without DH? Just wondering if there is anything I can do to minimise the chance of issues or problems arising.

Thanks!

No it will be fine. Different names make no difference.

take her birth cert, and a letter from dh giving permission for you to travel.

likely not needed, but if you do that’s what you need. It would be the same if you had the same surname btw.

eta: also, as she’s 16, they’ll likely just ask her rather than demand documents.

You won't have any issues. Take her BC and if you want to be extra certain, take a letter from DH giving his consent for you to travel alone with DD. It should be a breeze though!

Depending on the age of the OP's DD, different names will make a difference. As you point out in your post - some other documentation will be needed.

I was in the same position, and got asked about my relationship to my DD and if I had proof. It's to stop child trafficking.

Sounds like a great trip. Your daughter is 16 so an adult, there won't be any issues with the names. Have a great time!

I am a different nationality to my Dcs and have a different surname. I travel with them often to my home country without DH.

1. Take their birth certificates
2. take your marriage certificate
3. Take a letter from your husband with all his contact details confirming he is happy for you to take them abroad- giving dates and locations etc.

You may not ever have to show any of it- but you have it if you do need it.

Just to add- I'm not a British citizen or EU citizen either.

You said it's to be a surprise to your DD but may we assume you've coordinated with the friend's family?

They will also stop parents and children with the same name. They will also need the same documentation. Friends got caught out recently and nearly didn’t make a flight because they thought same names meant they didn’t need it.

it won’t make a difference in that you may get stopped and need to show your documentation regardless of names.

Take birth certificate, marriage certificate(if you’re married to her dad), and as a back up; a letter from her dad. But at 16 I really wouldn’t worry, it’s different with a baby who can’t say anything.

Yes all coordinated. Not just going to show up on their doorstep! 😅

Thanks this is great advice and thanks to everyone else who commented. Seems like it will be relatively straight forward!

I did not know that!