Travelling to France with DS, different surnames

[Tamlin]

This isn't likely to cause a problem, is it? I've just had a American friend ask me this as she got stopped and questioned going from Canada into the US with her baby - like us, they have different surnames on their passports. DH is not going with me.

I never found it a problem-no one ever questioned it.

I have never found it a problem- we have been to Ireland, Germany and Canada on our own and it was fine.

I've seen people being stopped - its not routine but they have crack downs periodically (usually after a high profile child disappearance). It does make sense of course - any adult should not be able to travel with any child without being able to show a relationship. If you want to be absolutely sure, take birth certificate and a signed letter from DH saying he knows you are going and does not object.

My DCs have Dh's surname while my passport is still in my maiden name. I have been stopped twice when going through passport control in the UK and questioned about why i am travelling with this child. The issue is normally resolved when DH appears behind me with other DC waving passports. LAst time the official said I should take DCs birth certificates if I am travelling on my own just in case I am stopped and also so I can prove I am their mother if I need to consent to medical treatment as well.