Do I need permission from exh to travel to USA with our DDs?

[libertybelle]

Hi,

Does anyone know if USA has same requirements as Canada regarding children travelling with only one parent? That is, do I need to get exh to give written permission for holiday that I can show immigration when we land in U.S.

I have heard a couple of horror stories this week and need to find out before we fly next month - have googled U.S embassy and UK Consul sites but there is nothing explicit that I can find ....also what do I do if ex won't write a letter? We share custody but he won't speak to me, and only sees DDs a couple of weekends a year .....

Many thanks

Erm not totally sure on this one.....we took ss there last year, when dh and I went to Vegas to get married, we had to get his ex-wifes permission, as we had to get ss a passport and she had to do that as he lives primarily with her and her partner! So I can say we had verbal permission, as he needed time off school, passport etc, but certainly no one challanged us on the way in?

i ahve took my three kids to america three times and never got permission from their dad, they are in my name though

as far as i know, you will need his permission if he has parental responsibility, but it would not be reasonable for him to refuse.
america are quite strict on this at the mo, my dm is taking 2 of my dc's to florida in april and i have to send their birth cerificates and a signed letter with dm!

i would err on the side of caution and sort out letters etc before you go
I've had a hard time getting into Canada on my own with my daughter and I'm Canadian... grrrr.On one trip they even put in dd's name to the missing children's computer thingy - I'm all for being safe and checking things out, but I was ripping.
I always have a letter from dh if I travel there without him now

Thanks for the replies - I'm trying to err on the side of caution as the girls have both our surnames , whilst my other two have both mine and my dh's.

Ex isn't the easiest of people to deal with though ... fingers crossed a letter from him arrives this week then.

Now if only those passports would arrive .....

Canada is apparently notorious for these sorts of requirements. I always travel with birth certificates (boys don't have my last name) and letter from DH.

Although, I think, the letter should really be notarised or something. To be worth anything.

I traveled on my own to Canada with ds one time and we had to prepare a letter which both of us signed, and then it had to be notarized. Not sure if US does this as well. I'd ring the US embassy if I were you. Have a good trip!

Oh, they were willing to accept my letter and the birth certificates. I'm probably more twitchy because the DSes travel on UK passports, while I have a Canadian one.

I think they just ask if you have permission, to see if you snap "that barsteward! I don't need his permission for anything", iyswim.

I don't think they will bother if you are travelling on UK passports

They are more worried about US kids leaving the US with only one parent