Travelling alone with kids- permission needed?

[PearlJamily]

First time travelling abroad post divorce. Still have the same surname as my kids and ex and I share custody. Do I need a letter or something from my ex confirming I'm allowed to take them abroad without him?

Personally I have never taken one or be asked for one.

Legally yes. The government website is easily available and clear on it.

I have been asked and I do take some.

I'm a woman - I travelled a lot with my 3 kids both when I was married and divorced and we all had the same name but I was never once questioned.

My ex husband was nearly always questioned - it really used to annoy him that he was the only one of us to be questioned!

Thanks I think I'll get one to be safe. Anyone know what I have to put on it? Gov.uk just seems to say details of the trip and other parents contact details- will that be enough? It also says I may need the kids birth certificates- has anyone else had to provide that?

I have never been asked for one.

Yes.

names are irrelevant. Same name is not a guarantee you won’t get stopped, and different names doesn’t mean you will.

last trip I went on two of the mums in our party both got stopped. Both had the same names as their children, and neither had brought their documentation because they thought having the same name meant it wouldn’t matter.

they very nearly missed the flight as getting hold of the kid’s dad in rush hour to verbally consent, and find a copy of the birth cert was a nightmare.

i have a different name. Never been stopped, but carry around the documentation anyway.

Ooh gosh I'm definitely going to take it all then- I find airports stressful enough without worrying about that!!

IME (it's happened more than once) it seems to be either/or with BC and letter. However, I wouldn't risk it.

You may think you have never been questioned but border control may make conversation with your children, and if the response ticks certain boxes then they will look for more proof.

I've travelled to Oz around 15 times with kids alone and never been questioned. The first couple of years I had a different name and different nationality. We have transited in various airports of Asia and the US.

I was questioned and asked for proof.

Best get one in advance, I have been asked but have known other mum's who have been fine.

Sorry- 'mums' autocorrect kills me

It says a letter giving that information. The letter needs to be signed by the other parent.

The letter is generally all that's needed, but the b/certs prove your relationship to the children should that be questioned, so the letter and the b/certs are for 2 different things iyswim?

I take a copy of birth certs and passports on my phone, and have the letter from dh in with all the paperwork.

Anyone any experience of this if travelling with older teens where the other parent is likely to either ignore the request completely and/ or be difficult/ delay/ deny out of spite?

I always just take a copy of birth certificate

Older teens are more likely to be asked themselves about the relationship with the adult they are travelling with.

Not guaranteed though, and you still might be asked to prove consent as per the govt website.

@WhereAreWeNow the b/cert serves to establish your relationship with the child, but not that you have permission from the other parent.

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