Travel abroad

[ECD123]

Hello

I booked a holiday in May for myself, 2 children and partner.

I have told my ex via WhatsApp (we don’t have a good relationship) he read it no reply. Knows I have renewed passports. There has been no further communication.

Do I need his written consent to take the children on holiday for 5 nights.

we have no court order in place regarding childcare.

I would appreciate your advice please

Well my ex took our son abroad multiple times from age 6 without me needing to give written permission (which I would have given, as we get on well), so I would think you are fine. We also had no court order.

Yes you do - you might be fine without but could easily be stopped and prevented from travelling.

Yes you need written permission! Loads of people might say they were never asked for it, but there are also many people who have been asked to show a consent letter. Not being able to provide it will lead to you bringing stopped from travelling. It is a thing because of child abduction cases by parents.

fwiw, this is also the case when the parents are still married and 1 parent travels with the kids.

If you have the same surname as your children you are fine to take them away for 5 nights. I think over 30 days you need consent. If you don't have tbe same surname, make sure you take kids full birth certificates as you'll be asked for these when returning (never leaving!) Enjoy your trip! X

No this is not true. You always need consent from the other parent when travelling abroad with kids without the other parent.

Hi yes you should get permission from the other parent if uou don't already have a court order. More info on here:
Get permission to take a child abroad - GOV.UK https://share.google/KF7Oeq9fljkysSYlc

Do you have same surnames? Take birth certificates.
this rule penalises mothers as paternal uncles get to take their nieces abroad to be married young without question.

would ex write a letter.

I travel solo regularly with my dc (as has dh) because we have a farm so one of us tends to stay home with the animals. I’ve even traveled with my dc on a British passport and myself using my home country passport. I’ve never been asked for show any permission to travel. Obviously, Dh and I are married, but they wouldn’t know that.

You’ve just been lucky till now. I’d advise you to bring a signed form next time. It would be sad if you were stopped from travelling a next time just because you don’t have written permission.

If you have different surnames it might be awkward. But same surnames, how would they know you are separated? Could just be one parent taking kids away while other is working. Not saying that they won’t ask you, but it surely would be rare