Different surname to my DC

[lulubelle1977]

Can someone remind me what I need to take with me for a holiday with my DC, without my husband/her dad?

I seem to remember taking a letter from him to say he knows we are going and gives his permission.

I'd rather not take her birth certificate but I guess I'll dig it out if necessary- although on her birth certificate it's my married name- passport is in maiden name.

Any advice appreciated

Hi @lulubelle1977

Did you ever find out what to do about this? I’m planning on taking DD to US for a city break. She’s 13.

DP and I aren’t married and have different surnames. I can take birth certificate but not sure if I need a notarised letter from DP as a belt and braces given US authorities are particularly strict.

I have a different surname to my DH and DC. When I travel, DH usually goes to a different passport counter and I take DC with me. They usually are happy with just seeing photos of me and DC.

I took my son to an African country recently. Took his birth certificate. They never asked for it. He has a different surname to me.

Thank you for responding.
@Redkite11 we have travelled quite a lot as a family but I have never been away with DD on our own. Technically even if DC are travelling with the parent with whom they share a surname a letter is needed from the absent parent if they share parental responsibility.

I travelled to US years ago and remember the authorities being particularly strict. I can only imagine that’s likely to be worse now!

I'm a single parent to DD17. We've travelled all over the world including USA, Singapore etc. I have never been asked for a letter from the other parent giving permission to travel (good job really because I'd never have got one). I'd be interested to learn if anyone ever has

@Igmum are you based in UK? Is DD’s Dad on birth cert? These are things that trigger this requirement in UK and it seems that many people have been asked for documents on their travels.

Yes we're both British. Yes, he's on the birth certificate. I've heard that it's needed many times on Mumsnet, just never been asked. (She does have my surname and looks like me and I look ridiculously honest if that helps.)

Thanks @Igmum it seems so random as to whether people get stopped/questioned. I look pretty honest and DD definitely resembles me though she has v different hair and eye colour - she has v dark brunette hair and dark eyes and I’m blond and blue eyed.

I can’t bear the thought of getting to NY and getting turned away or questioned for hours. DD would be distraught if either of those things happened.

Think I’ll take birth cert and a sworn letter just in case.

If you can access them easily then take them. I'd have been stuffed (domestic violence). Fortunately every time we visited the US border control were lovely

@Igmum I am so sorry to hear you’ve experienced DV. Seems like this is yet another thing that impacts women more.