Flying if your kids have father's surname

[ILikePaperHats]

I'm flying with TUI with my boyfriend and 2 sons DS6 and DS12 in July and am a bit worried because I have a different surname to my kids (they have their father's surname). Will this cause any problems checking-in do you think? I can bring their birth certificates.

[dementedpixie]

There is no rule about it needing to be notarised by a solicitor. Government website says:

A letter from the person with parental responsibility for the child is usually enough to show you’ve got permission to take them abroad.

You might be asked for the letter at a UK or foreign border, or if there’s a dispute about taking a child abroad. The letter should include the other person’s contact details and details about the trip.

It also helps if you’ve:

• evidence of your relationship with the child, eg a birth or adoption certificate

• a divorce or marriage certificate, if you are a single parent but your family name is different from the child’s

[BillieEilish]

Do you have his phone number Pumpkin?

How old are the DC's?

I think the younger they are the worse it is. (IMO)

You could easily write a note with your EX's phone number on it. They likely then, won't phone.

I agree the UK is most strict. I was comforting a granny, on the same flight from Spain, who was not allowed to bring her DGC's into the country (Bristol)

DD was asked who I was and also, in quick succession I was asked her birth date.
Luckily, we look similar.

In Marrakesch, she was whisked off with a Spanish speaker and questioned in a room. I could go on... but if you produce a BC (or photo of it) and a note... it stops anything more than a few questions.

[ChilliMum]

If you are friendly enough with your ex get a letter giving you permission - you can find an example on the internet and copy it he will then just need to sign.

I travel a lot with my kids (without dh) as we live overseas and I have better holiday allowance. In all this time I have only ever been asked once and Dh was actually with me as he had dropped me at the airport but as I didn't have a letter, dh was forced to go back to the car and get his passport to prove who he was before giving verbal permission .

Since then I have always carried a photocopy of dh passport with the letter and included his phone number on the letter however, we have never been stopped since.

[PumpkinP]

My ex doesn’t even have a passport..

no no phone number for him, children are 2,5,7 and 8 So with 4 I guess we will most likely Be stopped than if you have 1 or 2?

[KittenVsBox]

You can also be stopped and questioned even if you have the same surname. I certainly have been questioned when travelling with the kids but not DH. Luckily he was in the airport. I travel with birth certs, a letter (not notified) and a copy of DHs passport now - and it's not been needed!! I used to fly a couple of times a year without DH - we lived abroad

Birth Cert is a good starting point. Letter and copy of other parents passport is even better, but not always possible.

[BillieEilish]

I'm so sorry, but with 4 DC's of 2,4 7 and 8, you will be asked to prove you are able to take them out the country. It's bloody unfair.

You could be abducting them. UK is part of the Hague Convention.

BC's are going to be minimum here.

[MrsJoshNavidi]

We've taken our DCs cousin with us a few times. Different surname.
We've taken, and been asked to show, a letter of permission at passport control every time.

That's driving/ferry to France though, not flying.

[PumpkinP]

I'm just going to write my own letter, I doubt they will check it anyway

[BillieEilish]

O.K

[StrictlyAFemaleFemale]

Ive been stopped both times I travelled without DH. Although the second time the customs woman looked at me, then the baby and back at me and said you're alright.