Written consent to travel - UK to US

[MissFizzyPop]

My daughter is going on holiday to the US next week with a friend and her family.
I'm writing a letter of consent, which will be signed by both parents and accompanied by a certified copy of her birth certificate, and (non-certified) copies of both parents passports.
Suddenly panicking that I need to get the letter notarised as the guidance seems vague, ie. 'preferably' notarised!
Anyone had any experience of their under 18 child travelling without either parent to the US?

I don't know the specifics but getting it notarised is pretty easy and should cost in the region of £10-20. If you google notaries in your area, a lot are attached to solicitor firms. I've always managed to find one quite quickly and easily when needed. Good luck.

It was Canada not the USA but I got stopped on entry and they wanted to see DD's passport, letter from her dad and birth certificate, they then asked her why we were there, and she said "to meet dad" they then waived us through. The border guard said for younger children they often call the other parent plus they check watch lists of abducted children. Not quite the same scenario but they are quite strict

We took one of our daughter’s friends to Orlando with us last summer. The letter from her parents did not need to be notorised - immigration did not mention it, just read it and OK’d it.

We flew via Dublin and on the way back, at Dublin immigration we were asked for the letter again! I wasn’t expecting that (but still had the letter) so if there’s a connecting flight via another country, tell the parents to keep hold of the letter in case it’s needed on the return leg.

Thanks for all the replies. Just to update future readers who may be worried about the same, I provided a letter of consent signed by myself and her dad, plus copies of her birth certificate and our passports.

Nobody asked for anything 😂