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Original poster

Son's Father and Wife taking son abroad

21 replies

000Laura000 · 21/07/2010 15:24

Are there any reasons why my son's Father (and his wife and lots of his family) will have a problem taking my son abroad?

I am very happy about this as I will get some time off!

But, had a feeling I'd read that he (son's Father) needs a letter of consent or something from me?

Father's name is on the birth certificate. We've never been to Court about anything and there are no disputes or custody issues.

Does anyone know about this???

Many thanks...

OP posts:
nymphadora · 21/07/2010 15:29

I think it depends where they are going. When I took my dds abroad this year (US ) I took a letter from xh agreeing to it & vice versa when he took them abroad.

NicknameTaken · 21/07/2010 15:35

He might or might not be asked for this as he goes through immigration, but for safety's sake, you can easily write him a letter of consent. As I understand it, you don't need to go through a solicitor or anything, just write a letter saying you that you consent to the travel and give the destination and dates.

Niceguy2 · 21/07/2010 16:25

Does your son have his father's surname or yours?

To be honest, I don't think either way will make any difference. Passport checks for UK citizens are pretty much cursory nowadays.

When my ex took the kids away, she had no problems and was never asked.

Blu · 21/07/2010 16:27

When DS went to NY with DP, he was taken aside at passport cntrol and asked if he knew 'that man'. 'Of course, he's my dad' satisfied them.

How old is your DS?

WhyMeWhyNot · 21/07/2010 16:46

My husband took our daughter to America when she was 13 and she was taken to one side and asked if she was happy to travel with him. She was crying because she'd said goodbye to me a few hours earlier.She loves her mum!

StewieGriffinsMom · 21/07/2010 16:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

LadySanders · 21/07/2010 16:49

my exhusband has never had a problem taking ds1 abroad - they share a surname - i and ds1 do not share a surname and have a couple of times been asked to clarify the relationship (once in florida and once in portugal) but no problems

Original poster
000Laura000 · 21/07/2010 16:50

My son is 6. He has both our surnames as we double barrelled them.

He is going to Portugal for a week.

Thanks. I will write a letter, just in case.

OP posts:
gillybean2 · 21/07/2010 17:25

If neither of you have residency, (which you won't if you've not been to court over it) then you both equally have the right to take your child abroad, obviously with the permission of the other parent.

You could give a letter to help clarify things should a query arise. But really this shouldn't be an issue as no residency specified and no court orders in place.

Enjoy your free time. And send along the letter to make sure you get it and don't end up having frantic phone calls should some jobsworth question anything!

StewieGriffinsMom · 21/07/2010 17:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

LadyBiscuit · 21/07/2010 17:32

My sister was grilled when we went to France with her DS and not her husband. Better to avoid doubt

gillybean2 · 21/07/2010 17:58

Stewie I did say that it was "obviously with the permission of the other parent".

In cases where residency has been specified the rules are different. But that is not the case here.

Original poster
000Laura000 · 21/07/2010 18:07

Will be using my free time to surf the internet looking for attractive middle aged men and sleeping. Not that anyone asked!!!

OP posts:
StewieGriffinsMom · 22/07/2010 07:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

NotQuiteCockney · 22/07/2010 07:57

Canada definately cares about the letter - I always have one when travelling with my children, alongside copies of marriage certificate and birth certificates for them. (It probably makes things worse that I don't have the same surname as the boys, or passport nationality.)

I'm still married to their father, but of course Canadian immigration don't know that.

whiteandnerdy · 22/07/2010 09:26

Oh lord you've gone and put the frighteners up me, am taking my DSS not seen his real farther in good few years now on Holiday to Egypt on Saturday . He's 17 years of age so maybe this isn't an issue. I asked the travel agent about if I needed a letter from their mother, they said not, however I'm asking for one anyway but his got his farthers surname so will I need the birth certificate?

Jeeez really could do without this getting complicated with just 1 day to go!

NicknameTaken · 22/07/2010 09:56

I doubt immigration will suspect you of kidnapping a 17-year old boy. It's no harm to have the letter just for peace of mind, but I'd be amazed if you had any problems even without it.

TheBossofMe · 22/07/2010 10:05

Both DH and i frequently travel alone with DD, and carry letters of consent along with copies of birth certs for this purpose. Often get asked "where's Dad?" or "where's Mum?" at Heathrow.

Blef1974 · 22/07/2010 14:37

What would I have to do? I have 3 children, 2 different dads. Oldest two use my surname for school and everyday life and only have their "official surname" for the doctors, but I will need to get them passports for holidays next year which would have to be in their "official name".

I don't have any contact with their dad, haven't for 5 and a half years and I don't think he would agree to write a consent letter as hd is a nasty piece of work. Do I need his permission to get a passport and do I need his permission to take them away?

whiteandnerdy · 22/07/2010 14:54

No either parents can apply for passports (as long as they have the required parental responsibility), however the passports are seen as property of the child and so shouldn't be with-held by one parent from another. As to taking them on holiday, if your their parent then there are no issues.

If they have a different surname you may need birth certs, clearly I'm not too sure about that due to my own apprehensions!

TheBossofMe · 23/07/2010 11:10

Blef - I'm not sure about the letter, might be worth asking someone at the passport office.

Passports need to be in official names, so matching birth certificates. I think.

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