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Do I need my DD's dads permission to take take her abroad if he hasn't had contact in the last 6 years?

31 replies

tess1234 · 17/04/2024 07:23

My mum has booked a family holiday for next year July and I've heard that I'd need permission from DD's dad to take her abroad?

We had social workers when she was born and he didn't engage with them properly, going to meetings, doing the assessments, and drug counselling he was asked to do, but they had seen enough and heard enough to say he wasn't allowed near her. He is on her birth certificate and we were in court during the first year of her being born and although it's recommended he takes me to court for visitation I don't think that was written in a court order. I've already rang my solicitor because I was told he needed to give me details and sign her passport which I found out wasn't true, but the solicitor never mentioned I'd need permission when I was speaking to him.

Do I need permission from the court? If I start the application to court now will it be valid for my holiday in July next year? It's our first time going away and I've been really excited since learning it was booked and now it's kind of put a downer on it.

OP posts:
tess1234 · 18/04/2024 14:03

Rang a second solicitor just for a second opinion and she had confirmed that I can take my DD on holiday without needing anything from him or to do with him.

OP posts:
Loubelle70 · 18/04/2024 21:21

BloodyAdultDC · 17/04/2024 18:24

Legally yes you do need his permission if he has PR.

As pp say you will no doubt have several posters saying they've done it without but it's really not worth the risk. Go through the proper channels. I've been stopped twice in 14 years with my dc and would have had both holidays cancelled (with no chance of a refund) if I didn't have the right paperwork.

He has been absent so no she doesnt. Hes not an active parent

Loubelle70 · 18/04/2024 21:21

tess1234 · 18/04/2024 14:03

Rang a second solicitor just for a second opinion and she had confirmed that I can take my DD on holiday without needing anything from him or to do with him.

Thankyou!!!

EnglishBluebell · 19/04/2024 01:22

Mysticfalls · 17/04/2024 19:08

The surname thing is a red herring. Immigration officials might a little more carefully when surnames don’t match just because it’s a bit more likely that a child isn’t travelling with a parent or that there’s been a relationship breakdown when the surnames don’t match. But that’s a probability thing and it doesn’t work with all naming cultures and conventions. Surnames have no impact on the actual legal rules and regulations at all.

This is irrelevant! They are more likely to require a letter of consent and it simply isn't worth the risk of being deported!

EnglishBluebell · 19/04/2024 01:25

tess1234 · 18/04/2024 14:03

Rang a second solicitor just for a second opinion and she had confirmed that I can take my DD on holiday without needing anything from him or to do with him.

I don't mean to burst your bubble but many solicitors won’t even be aware that some border control officials will require a letter of permission upon arrival. It's not part of uk law so unless they've had a client who's had it happen then they won't know

Mysticfalls · 19/04/2024 02:06

EnglishBluebell · 19/04/2024 01:25

I don't mean to burst your bubble but many solicitors won’t even be aware that some border control officials will require a letter of permission upon arrival. It's not part of uk law so unless they've had a client who's had it happen then they won't know

Did you miss the part where she’s going to Spain which doesn’t require a letter from the other parent? So the only part she needs to worry about is Uk law, which the solicitor’s are presumably familiar with?

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