Children's travel consent form needed?

[Jamshedhead]

I'm just after some advice on whether my kids dad will need to sign a letter of prermission to travel? Their dad and I are no longer together and they have his surname. We are travelling to Spain next month and I'd like to know if anyone in a similar situation has ever needed and been asked to show a consent form? I've spoken to a couple of people who have been in the same situation, who have travelled international recently and they haven't been asked. Is it worth just getting one just incase? Would I also need to have it notarised?

I'd take a letter of permission; it won't need to be notarised. I have heard of people sometimes being asked when coming back to the UK

Sometimes they ask and sometimes they don't. Take a letter from him. No you don't need it notarised.

My long term suggestion is get a court order. It usually covers travel up to 4 weeks. I take that so you don't have to faff with a letter every time.

https://www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad

Details here. Anybody taking a minor abroad needs consent from anyone with parental responsibility. It doesn't matter if you're together, divorced, or have different surnames.

Take a letter plus a signed copy of his passport and the children’s birth certificate

Always take copy of birth certificates (often travel alone with kids, different surnames) I usually get asked when returning to the UK. Was asked for the consent form once in Germany. Just take it, not worth the hassle in case you get asked

I take a letter plus DD birth certificate, been stopped a few times coming back in, to me it makes more sense to stop on way out.

we went through by scanning our own passports this year so no one asked