Travelling alone with my son who has different surname to me

[Sunbeam18]

I'm flying to Majorca next week with my son (4) who has a different surname to me. Am I likely to have any trouble at passport control? Should I take his birth certificate??

I think you have to have permission from the father if they have parental responsibility as well, so a letter from him.

Yes I've been told you need a letter from the father.

I can't do links but if you go in the government website there is info there. You only need a letter from the father if he has parental responsibility which is generally if he's named on your sons birth certificate.

Just a normal letter? Or does it need witnessed by a lawyer or something?

apparently so but I never have a problem.

Don't remember reading about it being witnessed - google UK government website. Sorry I can't link .

Agree I've never had a problem either but technically it's child abduction not to have permission from everyone who has parental responsibility so not really worth the risk IMO.

Thanks!