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travelling abroad with kids with different surname to me

30 replies

chris89 · 22/02/2018 12:25

my children have their dads surname and is on the birth certificate, he hasnt been in contact for nearly 4 years tho. i was meant to be going on holiday this year , before i booked it i checked i could take them away and the travel company TWICE on different occasions told me yes just bring their birth certificates and it will be ok, i called yesterday to triple check and they said no i needed permission letter. i explained we dont no where he lives etc etc. and how due to the past hes caused me to have PTSD and anxiety, so even the thought of finding him will be a problem for me and id rather cancel the holiday. (luckily the kids dont no were going). once i looked it up it says i have to go to court to get permission or somethings. has anyone had a similar problem, im really worried!!

OP posts:
Globetrotter100 · 22/02/2018 13:06

You need to follow the government advice for:

  1. exit and re-entry UK
  2. entry and exit destination country.

If you do not do this, for whatever reason, then you put yourself and your DC at risk of delays, disruption and potential refusal of entry until the matter is resolved to the satisfaction of whichever country's border control authority requests your paperwork if it falls short of that required by their government.

This is the UK government statement. It applies to all parents, not just those who have a different surname from the child: www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad

Plenty of people will never get asked. But plenty of people are (including me on several occasions).

Elocutioner · 22/02/2018 13:08

Perfume is exactly right

Even married parents officially need a letter of consent if one parent is absent.

In practice enforcement is extremely patchy. I always carry birth certificates and have been asked several time for them. Usually the border guard asks DC their name and if they're my kids.

chris89 · 22/02/2018 13:12

i called my local travel agent (Thompson) and the lady was great she said they get it all the time just bring bc and maybe a letter with just their names and address on separate from mine.

OP posts:
TheyBuiltThePyramids · 22/02/2018 13:13

www.wonder.legal/uk/modele/travel-consent-form-uk Some info here.

I have travelled abroad many times alone with my dc and never had a letter.

danTDM · 22/02/2018 13:21

Honestly, a BC will be enough, you'll be absolutely fine.

Happy holiday!

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