Taking child who is no relation abroad

[ThisIsNotARealAvo]

We are planning a summer holiday, probably in France, Spain or Italy, and have said that DD can bring a friend. They are 14. Would there be any issues taking someone else's child abroad in terms of going through passport control? Would we need written permission from her parents?

I went abroad with my 8 year old for the first time this year and was questioned going out and back in to the UK (different surname, single parent). I had taken hers and my birth certificate and was advised to carry on doing this for the foreseeable, they were both checked. She was questioned coming back in. Felt a bit ott to be honest, especially as I do the bulk of the parenting and she lives with me, coupled with the fact she is a complete mini me so hard to not see I'm her mum 😂 Made her feel uncomfortable. I'd definitely have a letter from parents/seek advice from airline/ferry.

Yes you will need a written document from her parents. I'm a foster carer and when we travel with foster children we must bring a letter from social services (as they hold shared parental responsibility over the child, not us), this document is called an out of jurisdiction letter. However for a non looked after child, a letter from the person/people who hold PR would be necessary.

I did it a few years back, took my DD1’s friend with us. Had a letter from her mum, and copy of her Mum’s passport. Not mentioned on departure from the UK but questioned briefly when leaving France.

DD went overseas twice with a friend aged 14 and 15. I wrote a letter giving permission for her to go naming both adults she was travelling with and got DH to sign it too. DD carried her own passport but I gave a copy of her passport and her birth cert to the mum. I also got her travel insurance. I don’t think they were ever questioned but having advised many clients to have their kids added to the airport watch list I wasn’t taking any chances.

Thanks everyone, that's really helpful.

I take my nieces abroad every year (different surname). No one has ever batted an eyelid and I've never provided any kind of documents or letter from their mum. Who's to say the letter is genuine anyway?

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5100317-is-this-right-that-i-cant-go-on-holiday-without-ex-agreeing?page=5&reply=136152356

Yes, you need permission from the child's parents.

On this thread from yesterday, there's the link to the govt website.

Concerns are mainly about parental cross border abduction, but any adult taking any minor out of the country needs permission from the minor's parents, for obvious reasons.

You may not be questioned, particularly as the child is old enough to explain she's going on holiday with you. But you do need written consent from both her parents.