Holiday with my son who has a different last name,

[Thismumrunsonhugsandtea]

Morning mums,

I'm going on holiday soon with my 13 year old son first time since he was 2 years old,I have never flown on my own before.We have different last names has anyone had any problems with this at the airport.

Many thanks Sarah

But your documents would go in your hand luggage?

The law says you need a letter with permission from his father. In reality I’ve never been asked and have a different surname, and have travelled a lot. But you could be asked.

Take his full birth certificate with your name on plus any deed poll, divorce papers, fathers death certificate etc that explains further that you are his mum and if your name doesn’t match his.

if you are on decent terms with his dad get a letter from him, if you have a court order with sole custody being made to you.

you can be asked leaving the country (I have never been asked) or on arrival elsewhere (only Canada has questioned me and dd was 17!)

I have a different surname to my sons, never been an issue at passport control or anywhere else.

The different surname is irrelevant.

every parent should travel with birth cert and letter from anyone with PR not travelling.

You need to show you’re parent as having the same name means nothing, you could be aunt, grandma, or random stranger.

if no parent travelling then you need a loco parents form for whoever is.

last time I travelled it was two mums stopped and very nearly not allowed to board as they hadn’t brought documentation as they thought having the same name meant they didn’t need it.

Yes, I've been stopped a few times, most recently this year. You should take your child's birth certifcate, your marriage certificate (if you're married) and a letter from your parter confirming that you have their permission to take your child on holiday (airlines have example letters on their websites). It doesn't happen all the time, but it's best to be prepared.

I flew with my 4 and 5yr old with different names. Dad didn't come. The kids got asked who I was at check-in but that was the extent of it

If you are not in contact with ExH, he left and no idea where he is, no court order as he just cut contact, what’s best to do?

Mine have been asked a few questions by immigration in the UK when we return, like can they explain who they have away with. That's happened even when husband and I have been together with them. Never had any questions asked overseas. Obviously you can avoid all inbound questions by using the egates.

I have been stopped twice and on both occasions they asked to speak to the children. On one occasion we were coming back into the UK which was a bit mad. Until they got to 17, I took their birth certificates and a letter from their dad with me.

Yes passports etc would go in handbag/similar, I was referring to hold luggage going missing

Still wouldn’t want to take original birth certificate, either a certified copy or copy on mobile phone

Certainly sounds like some countries are much more strict than others

Makes no sense though. A lost birth certificate is much easier and cheaper to deal with than a lost passport. And as you don’t routinely lose your passport why would you lose your birth certificate?

Until I married my daughters father we travelled under different names. I never had a problem and travelled worldwide, including America and Australia as well as Europe.

I have DCs who have both a different surname than me and a different nationality so we have different passports. It has never been an issue. Once DS1 was asked who I was when he was about 8 and he said 'My mum' with a quizzical look.

When travelling alone with them I take a letter from DH which has never been asked for (but I always take it) and used to take their birth certificates as well but have forgotten that the last few times- I'll probably take them 'just in case' though.

I had a friend in this position. She went to court and asked for a 'live with' order and explained the father was out of all contact. As I recall this allowed her to take the child out of the country for up to 28 days at a time and the paperwork said specifically the father was not in contact at all. She went through a solicitor but I think you can download the paperwork yourself and fill it in.

Like I said, at a push I’d carry a certified copy so that the original is kept at home, I’d just prefer not to lose the original birth certificate

Both involve faff to replace, agree passport more of a pain

Anyhow, people will do as they wish

Passport is also over £100 now? Vs £14 for a birth certificate.

the “original” isn’t an original btw, it’s also a certified copy. The original is the one kept by the registry office. I think we were given two when dc was born, we were asked how many copies we wanted. Have a look, it will say on it.

so no difference between the one you were given registering the birth and ordering one today.

years ago I ordered half a dozen certified copies of all birth/death certs. Been really useful. I have a file where one copy of everything is kept, which is never used or sent anywhere. Then I can send off or carry one of the others without caring if it gets lost or mislaid.

It’s never been an issue for us - the kids have been asked who they were with a couple of times but just answered mum / mummy and we were allowed through.