Single parent holiday, absent parent

[EvansHT]

Hello all,
Please can you share your experiences/advice on the below?

DD is 8 and has not had contact with father for 7 years. I have no contact number for him and have no idea of his whereabouts. He is on DD birth certificate. It is also worth noting that DD has special needs and requires significant level of care.

DD has a passport which I managed to get independently. She has been to Europe twice previously with myself and extended family. DD shares the same surname with myself and extended family. However, DD and I are due to travel alone to Dominican Republic next month as part of package holiday. When double checking entry requirements, I realised that I should be able to provide written permission from the other parent to take DD abroad. I am unable to ask for this due to his estrangement. I will admit that this is a big oversight on my behalf.

I am now terrified that DD and I will be denied entry, especially as she is unable to answer questions from customs due to her disability. I did not have issues at customs previously but I now realise this may be down to luck. On another post the "No Order Principle" was mentioned. I am wondering if this applies to my circumstance? I have an appointment next week for legal advice but would greatly appreciate any insight. TIA

I've been and didn't need any written permission to take DC. I've only ever been stopped once - think it was coming back from Greece - DD was about 13 and being an arse and I was getting cross. A security guard asked if we were ok, checked out passports and asked DD who I was. I've never needed a letter from her dad, which is just as well as he would never give me one.

My children have My surname as their middle name and we have never been stopped. On the other hand, their dad always needs a letter from me when they travel with him since- due to complicated reasons- they don't share his surname.

I went to the Dominican Republic a few years ago with DD. We've travelled a lot in Europe and I've never had a letter or been stopped, except in France one when they asked DD who I was.

I did get a letter from ex for the DR as, like you I was terrified of being turned away. They never asked for the letter and we were waved through. It's a big tourist destination.

I think in your case you can apply to the courts for an order that confirms she resides with you and then you can take her away for up to 28 days.

It is very clear that you require permission from the other parent or a court order if you do not have the permission of the other parent.

Do not listen to all the people that say they have never been stopped. Just because they have not, doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I have seen parents denied travel, as they do not have the permissions required.

https://www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad