Asking permission for holiday

[PumpkinP]

I was planning to take my children on holiday but my ex is absent and apparently you need permission of the other parent to take a child on holiday. My sister thinks I’m worrying for no reason and that you don’t actually need permission, so has anyone actually ever been stopped from taking a child on holiday without permission?, I’ve never heard of anyone being stopped either tbh but have always heard that you can be stopped.

So much incorrect information on this thread!

It absolutely depends where you go.

You cannot go to South Africa for example without birth certificates and a letter from the other parent. Non negotiable. You'll be turned away without the letter, regardless of how much lying (wtaf the poster who suggested that) you do.

So sorry 1forsorrow
I didn't mean to be insensitive. I know hugs are frowned on here but I would like to send you one anyway.

I was only ever asked once, when my son was 14. Different name, but I was the only one with parental responsibility. It was suggested that I carry a birth certificate in future. (I didn’t, but if he’d been younger I probably would have).

MAFIL don't apologise, I think it is important to explain to people who the slight annoyance of being asked who you are/who the children are etc is nothing compared to the horror of abduction but thank you for the hugs and flowers.

why not who

arethereanyleftatall, it isn't just about where you go. We should be protecting our children and making sure if they are leaving the UK that they aren't being abducted. We are talking about children's lives which are more important than a holiday.

On a slightly different note a friend of mine went abroad with husband without their children, think it was North Africa. In those days children didn't need their own passport, they could just be added to parents. All went well until they were catching the flight home and at passport control they were asked where the children were. They were accused of having abandoned/sold their children. She was very upset, at one point looked like they were going to miss their flight.

I have the same surname as my kids.
I have been heavily questioned leaving Hong Kong. Thankfully DH was in the airport.
I now carry birth certificates, and a letter from DH, and a copy of his passport. Never been asked for them YET.
Risk it if you want - worst could be a tough questioning, and denied leaving the country, but please dont forge letters to take your kids out of the country.

We got stopped coming back into England as OH, myself and DSS all have different surnames. We take copies of birth certificate and court papers with us. If you have the same surname no one should be bothered

DD gets asked if I’m her mum occasionally. I do carry a letter from her dad stating his passport details and permission etc. But never been asked to produce it - I suspect as it’s Europe and DD is 9 so old enough to give a straight answer. But reading this, I might start taking BC with me as post brexit may well be tighter.