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Holidays

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Original poster

Travelling without one parent

15 replies

KnitterOfSocks · 04/02/2019 22:05

I'm taking my kids to the US on my own this summer - should I have a letter from their Dad giving permission?

We are married, we all have the same surname and he is joining us a week later and we are then flying home together. Just don't want to cause problems with Immigration!

OP posts:

ThomasRichard · 04/02/2019 22:08

Yes, the US are sticklers for this. Put it into Google and there are some templates you can print off.

gt84 · 04/02/2019 22:10

It’s worth doing as you might need it.
It’s only a letter so what’s the harm in being prepared?

Original poster

KnitterOfSocks · 05/02/2019 05:41

Thanks, I've got a draft one and will adapt it.

Do I need to have it notarised? And how does one do that?

OP posts:

RhubarbCrumbled · 07/02/2019 12:23

Hello, I flew into the US twice last year with DSs on my own. I'm separated from their Dad but we still have the same name. They spoke directly to the boys to check they were who I said they were and also asked if 'my husband' was joining us. I just said no and we were having a holiday on our own. No letter was needed or asked for. However, it doesn't hurt to take one with you if it's easy to organise. No need to have it notarised.

FYI: make sure your kids are ready to speak to the immigration officer. One of mine is a bit daydreamy and ignored them for what felt like ages until he realised they were saying his name!!

For your peace of mind, I've always found immigration officers going into the US to be very friendly and easy going. To the point, but definitely not scary. They're used to seeing various family situations. The people who manage the lines are the really scary ones (but they have no power other than to send you to the back of the line!)!

underneaththeash · 07/02/2019 22:53

I've been to many places without DH; Orlando, Lanzarote, Greece, Canada - the only one we've had a problem with is coming back on the Eurostar from France when a particularly officious customs officer demanded to see paperwork from the children's father and we stood there for a few minutes until he waved us through.

I'd just take a letter to be on the safe side.

RaffertyFair · 07/02/2019 23:03

Can someone explain why immigration officials would be satisfied by a letter?
It could be written by anybody?? Unless you have the absent parent's passport plus verified signature etc ...surely its meaningless. Or am I missing something obvious?

StuckInTheMiddleWithJude · 07/02/2019 23:07

I recently took my baby to the Middle East for a short visit (different surnames), we were asked for his birth certificate on the way back into the UK but nothing else was requested.

itsbritneybiatches · 07/02/2019 23:19

We have sparse contact with my DD dad.

I've took her abroad with no letter, no nothing from Her dad for the last 4 years. She's five.

Do I need anything?

Original poster

KnitterOfSocks · 08/02/2019 15:56

I don't think it's all countries, someone just said for the US I should have one. Apparently South Africa are really strict as well.

OP posts:

jocktamsonsbairn · 10/02/2019 22:45

I've taken my dc abroad alone for 11 years and never had a problem until 2 years ago when dd was questioned coming back into the uk. I have a different surname but luckily had brought their birth certificates and my change of name certificate with me.

Fire16 · 24/02/2019 22:08

Travelling easyJet with DD , have different surname as never married , no contact from father last two years. Apart from DD’s birth certificate, any other info needed?
Worrying we will be stopped from flying 😬

Bouledeneige · 29/03/2019 22:26

I went to the US with my two DCs (teens) for a California road trip including Vegas. No one batted an eye-lid or expected any notification from their Dad. They don't have my surname BTW. We have been on tons of international holidays just the 3 of us and never been asked for anything - they were 4 and 6 when we split up.

Expressedways · 29/03/2019 22:31

I always take DD through immigration into the US on my own as we have Global Entry and DH doesn’t (non-eligible passport). We do have the same surname but it’s never occurred to me to take a letter.

afromom · 29/03/2019 22:37

Whenever we travel with DS and DSD we always take a letter from their other parent and a copy of their birth certificate. I have been questioned once going into LA, (just me and DS) and last time we were too, but more as a result of problems with DPs finger prints not reading, so then they started questioning us more.

When DS travels with his Dad I do him a letter and they take his birth certificate and a photocopy of my passport too. They are questioned every time - but they are travelling to a west African country and immigration is always tougher there, plus exh has a very full passport as he travels ALOT.

Mykingdomforanickname · 01/04/2019 17:05

Anyone have any experience of what (if anything) the authorities in Spain are likely to ask for if a child is not travelling with parents? My sister is going to take DD (aged 15) on holiday to Spain. No problem for DH and me to provide her with a letter of authority, and obviously at 15 DD can speak up for herself to confirm that her parents are fine with the trip. Just wondering whether we need to provide anything further as regards documentation?

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