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Original poster

Taking DS to NYC - need a notarized letter from his dad?!

15 replies

Fizzysister · 21/09/2023 14:51

We fly on October 13th and I've just seen that this is required. DS sees his dad but he is obstructive and difficult for me to deal with, so this news is disheartening and more than a little stressful.

If I can get a letter from him with permission to travel, how do I get it notarized?

DS is 13: are they likely to even ask to see it? Odds are that if I don't get one, they'll want to see one. Argh!

OP posts:
House4DS · 21/09/2023 17:06

Required or recommended? I think the latter, but check.

We flew via the US this summer and for the first time ever I did take a letter - kids similar ages. Only sorted it the day before so wasn't notarised (means someone - solicitor? - to witness signature) but I took a photo of their dads passport to verify signature.

We weren't asked for it at all.

Reading online, some people say they have been asked.

Your DS is old enough to explain to anyone that his dad is at home and he'll see him on X date.
I guess it depends which is more stressful, asking for a letter or travelling without.

mondaytosunday · 21/09/2023 17:23

Is this a new thing? I've never been asked for any kind of letter and I've flown abroad with my kids since they were little.

BananaSlug · 21/09/2023 19:35

No it’s not new and the government website is clear.

SoSad44 · 21/09/2023 19:36

You need it for the US - I had one but wasn’t notarized.

Whohashiddenthebiscuits · 21/09/2023 21:56

My sympathies re the ex being obstructive - maybe print it out for him so all he needs to do is sign it next time you see him
& sell it in as a great opportunity for DS. A pain I know. I have experienced being stopped by immigration for not having a letter when I took eldest DD to Canada & while they did let me in after I was questioned by 2 immigration officers & sat around for nearly 3 hours (DD was a toddler & unable to confirm her Dad hadn’t been on the scene at all since she was 6 months old), it was a really horrible experience

MidsummerMimi · 21/09/2023 22:05

My family are American and I often travel with DC alone.
I have been asked for this letter, we always carry one along with photo of Dad’s passport.

AIstolemylunch · 22/09/2023 07:30

I've also done this without getting it notarised. It's really hard to find a solicitor a office willing to do it where I live! Probably worth getting it done if you can buy definitely take one signed by his dad that has his passport number in it.

We did it when son wa stravelling with friends mum for a trip to Germany. She said on the way out no one asked about it, on the way in they asked why he had a different surname and she explained an showed them the letter.

lilyfire · 22/09/2023 07:35

If you want it notarised you need to ask a notary to do it not a solicitor. Find one on the Notaries Society website. They will know how to deal with it. Lots of people travel without notarised consent but it’s safest to have it done. His father would need to go and see the notary with his ID and probably your child’s birth certificate and sign in front of them. If the dad won’t do that then just a signed letter is better than nothing

gogomoto · 22/09/2023 07:36

I was asked entering Canada when dd was 17 and had a full adult passport! Thankfully the border agent accepted dd in saying we were joining he as he had flown 3 days earlier for business (true).

I also know people who have been stopped by Heathrow border agents leaving the country, can happen.

You should try and get a letter and a photocopy of your dc's dads passport, wouldn't worry as much about it being notarised, however post offices (at least crown ones) can do it if he agrees

Original poster
Fizzysister · 22/09/2023 12:14

Thank you for your replies, lots of options here, I think I'd feel OK getting him to sign a letter I print out, and putting his passport number on it/taking a photo of it. He would probably do this as DS would look unfavourably on him if he prevented us going! I don't know if he has a passport, but crossing my fingers!

OP posts:
LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 22/09/2023 13:53

You don’t need it to be notarized, just have a signed letter and a signed copy of his passport

Herecomesthemoon · 22/09/2023 14:03

My DS took his DD to New York and had a signed letter from her mother, but it was not notarised and it was never suggested to him that he would need that. I don't think he was asked for the letter anyway. She was 16 so her age might affect things.

HamBone · 22/09/2023 14:22

I think it’s a good idea to bring one along. Both DH and I have travelled separately with our children and bring along a letter. DH was once asked for it when traveling with DD.

It’s a pain but better then having your plans messed up.

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