Taking 16 year old abroad

[Toffeetooth]

Hi, I'm wondering if someone can help me on whether taking a 16 year old abroad without the permission of her father is possible please? There is no court order in place, father does have parental responsibility and its a Hague convention country. He is not likely to agree and 16 year old is really keen to go to visit family she hasn't seen for a weeks holiday. There are reasons ie not rocking the boat with younger children and ongoing contact issues why my friend does not want to go to court to get an order specifically on this. We thought maybe as daughter is 16 it might be different. She may also fly out on her own if this makes a difference.

Thanks for any advice!

I sent my 16yo to Germany with no adults (only his 17yo friend). So I suspect easier than you fear.

Surely a 16yo can decide to go to another country if they want to without the permission of parents? I am not sure what the other parent could do in relation to not granting permission if the young person in question can verify they are going willingly. I have to say i am Scottish and here 16 is considered an adult so parents would find it very hard to stop their child going abroad if they wanted.

My DS flew in his own on a privately arranged language exchange at 14. TBH it didn't occur to me that he'd have any problems because I checked the easyJet rules and they said teens could fly independently at 14. He got into France no problems. On the way back in to the UK he was asked whether he had a letter from a parent giving permission to travel. He didn't but they let him through anyway.

I can't see at 16 that they could possibly insist on permission from both parents. They may not even need a letter from either

Thankyou! Yes that is my feeling he will be fine but matters are so tense that father is likely to object and my friend does not want to get accused of child abduction. I am wondering what the actual legal position is. Father did object when she was 15 and they ended up cancelling as it was easier. When I looked for her it seemed 16 might be a different matter but I could not be sure.

The offence of child abduction only applies if the child is under 16 - Child Abduction Act 1984 S1(1). Your friend does not need the father's consent. However, your friend should check the airline's policy. Some have restrictions in place that go beyond the law.

Girls this age sadly went to Turkey and on to Syria clearly without parental consent so I’m guessing very easy.

Thankyou! That's really reassuring for my friend.

An adult passport is from age 16 after all.