Taking dad on holiday with either parent

[1234another]

Hi all,

I'd like to take my DSD abroad for a few days at half term, she's 5, her father (my partner) cannot come due to work commitments and her Mum is totally fine with me doing so.

What do I need, has anyone done the same? Would it just be signed letters from both giving me authority to do so? Both have passports so we could include all that detail plus contact information for customs checks if needed. It's only going to be Spain or Europe so no long haul. I'm just unsure if we need some kind of legal document and info online seems limited.

We've both (DP and I) taken her away multiple times without query (but she has DP's surname), apart from on arrival back to the UK last time the custom officer asked if I was her birth mother and obviously I said no, he just replied 'good that saves me asking loads of questions'. So I assume as her mum's name is flagged on the passport check.

Any help much appreciated!

I meant DSD and neither parent

No helpful advice from me, just wanted to say in a sea of negative step parent posts on mumsnet, so nice to hear of a relationship strong enough for you to do this! 💐

My mum travelled to the UK from mainland Europe with my niece. She had a letter signed by both parents authorising the trip as well as a copy of their passports and my nieces birth certificate. They did get asked at the airport but were satisfied with the info given. I'm assuming you will have return flights booked so can proof that you intend to come back.
I think it's lovely you want to do this. Have a great trip.

Oh thank you! I absolutely adore her, and her me, she's brought so much joy to my life. X

Thank you that's really helpful! I just don't want to plan anything and then get stuck at customs and her be disappointed, it sounds like what your mum did covers all angles. X

Sorry if I have misunderstood OP, is your Dad also travelling with you, or your DP’s Dad?

It was me ruining a thread title! I'm wanting to take DSD without either of her parents, it'll just me as her stepmum taking her abroad.

I travel a lot with my stepdaughter who is now my ex stepdaughter. I have never once been asked a single question about it, even now when I reverted to my maiden name so we have different names on passports (I assumed when we had the same names people just thought I was her mum). Technically you can carry a signed letter giving permission but no one has ever asked me and now I'm an ex step mum I'm literally legally nothing to her with a different name on documents and still no one cared!

So cover yourself with a letter and don't stress about it would be my advice. X

Thank you! I know that realistically even if anyone challenges it we can prove it's allowed given some checks, but she's quite shy and if custom or airport people (I think it's the official vibe) talk to her she tends to cry hysterically (which is fun) so I am hoping to avoid that! X

I have the same surname as my son and was really quite surprised when arriving in Iceland to be asked where his dad was and to get a letter of authority next time so I think a copy of both parents passports (inc signature) and a letter signed by them both would be prudent.
Hope you have a great time!

I took my stepdaughter away in 2019 on my own and didn't have the same surname as her. Passport control on return to the uk asked her directly if I was her mum and she replied saying no; she's my step mum and that was it. No signed letters or anything. Sure you'll be fine as long as SC can speak for themselves