to be unaware I needed my husband's permission to travel with kids?

[SidekickSally]

I've just come back from a weekend in Amsterdam with my 2 DDs, both under 16. We wanted to see some museums and my DH isn't keen so we went with my mum instead. At Amsterdam airport I was asked alot of questions by passport control and the guy said I needed written permission from DH to take my kids away without him. He was asking "how do I know your husband has given you permission to take the children without him". He accepted my return tickets as proof in the end but said next time get written proof.

I can see why he was asking and that this could be an issue but it never occured to me. What do lone parents do? What kind of permission is accepted? Surely a letter could be faked too. Seems a bit of over kill, or is it? Just be interested to hear from others about whether this is usual or unusual.

Orlantia that's how I felt it looked. Snarled through gritted teeth, "yes you are darling." He'd come off a night flight with no sleep and looked like I'd drugged him.

again, tell me where this information is stated

I am amazed that this topic constantly comes up (needing a letter travelling with children) as it's been standard practice for years. But a large number of people (including a travel agent on another forum!) don't know about this.

this isn't about kids travelling with someone who doesn't seem to be their parent.

this is about kids travelling with only ONE parent. WHERE does it say you need documentation / letter / permission from all parents with PR?

Several people have linked to the government web page stating you need permission

The first time DS took his DCs abroad , he took a letter from his XP giving permission, but has never bothered since as it has bever been queried. His name is the same as his DCs though; when their DM, with a different name took them to Portugal, DGS was asked "Who is this lady?", "Mumma" he replied and that was enough, fortunately.

nocamping on the page previously linked to - it is very clear, as pixie says.

Tinsel come on, you are not serious! Checking on the registation of any phone number from anywhere around the world I see a simple matter? Not to mention that some numbers like pay as you go are not registered to anyone or the obvious logical point that not each person is obliged to use a number registered to them.

granny really a forget passport does not cost big money. Firstly it depends which country's passport you want forged and secondly how good a job you need done. You'd have to also consider that child traffickers may just about have big money to spend on forgeries!

Mumma" he replied and that was enough, fortunately

And that doesn't stop parental abductions...

What is the point is saying that you need a letter from other parent giving permission when no one seems to ask for it - but they do ask the child if you are the parent?

If they asked the child why the other parent isn't with them, then that might get more interesting answers.

I read about this on here last year just before Dh was about to take ds abroad on his own. Told Dh and he said no he was only travelling in Europe, he had the same surname as ds, it will be fine, etc. He still got stopped and asked if he had a letter from me giving permission and I got to say I told out so.

trinpy

What happened when he said no?

Part of the reason Nocamping needs ignoring on this is because it really doesnt matter if the UK gov doesn't specifically spell out that you absolutely must have written consent if the country you are visiting does. The op wasn't stopped in the UK she was stopped while trying to leave another country so the UK rules are not the ones that apply. The UK is really rather lax on this and other countries are a lot stricter.

Maybe it's an Amsterdam thing because of it being a large hub? I fly through there quite a lot and have been stopped three times whilst travelling as a (mixed race) family.

Strangely they didn't stop my DD (10yo at the time) when she travelled there with a family friend. On that occasion i'd organised a letter of authority plus copies of mine & DH's passports but they didn't question her at all.

"Mumma" he replied and that was enough, fortunately.

And that doesn't stop parental abductions,
Yes, Ortilina , it seems such a random and intermittent procedure you wonder why they bother.

Trinpy

I traveled to Australia last year and was worried about this as I'd read stories (only on mn)! I got my ex to sign a letter for me giving permission and was stamped/ signed.
The only person who queried it was immigration on return to my home airport and they asked my ds who he was traveling with. Different surname.

My ex wants to take my three abroad. He definitely wont ask me for my permission ( we're as l/c as possible) So what would happen if he gets stopped ?
Would they call me?

What happened when he said no?

They asked him some questions about ds and why they were going away without me, etc then let him go with a stern warning to bring a letter next time (although I suppose if he had been abducting ds there probably wouldn't be a next time ).

(although I suppose if he had been abducting ds there probably wouldn't be a next time

Quite.

Just as long as it works both ways!