International Travel

Shel77 · July 2013

Hi, long time lurker/SM, don't post much since most of my BF drama lives in my head alone and I generally have it pretty good. Anyway...

DH and I are taking SD on a cruise, obviously out of the country, this summer and need a notarized letter from her mom as well. What should this ideally include? Can google but would prefer to hear from moms/SM from this board. Any suggestions appreciated.

MrsHetzel · July 2013

This is a good question. I actually don't have experience in this area but will be watching to see the answers if you don't mind!

HisChamaoleGirl · July 2013

Who/what is requiring the notarized letter? The CO or the cruise line? I would reference whichever for guidance on what the letter should include.

Littlejen22 · July 2013

FWIW I do not even think we had a CO when we first took SD out of the country when she was 12 and that was in 2002. She was living with us but there were no legal documents at the time. I always hear on this board that paperwork is needed and never even thought of that before that we did not have anything. I am not sure what has happened since then but I would not be shocked if nothing is really needed but that people either feel better with it or think you need it.

We also did not have anything in 2006 but we had legal custody then and she was 16. When she was 17 she went to England on her own with no written documentation.

whse13kittens · July 2013

I am tentatively taking the 15 year old to ComicCon in San Diego next summer (2014). Since BM has full custody, I will be taking his birth certificate, he will have photo id, and I will have a notarized letter signed by both his mom and dad indicating its okay that he is with me. Nothing in the CO or anywhere else is requesting this information, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

The letter that we've drafted basically just says that (15yearold) has permission to be traveling from (hometown) to San Diego, CA on xxx flights for xxxx days with (whse13kittens). And then it will be signed with printed names and relationships by both his mom and dad (my SO) and dated and notarized.

Overkill? Yeah, probably. But I'm not taking the risk of getting to San Diego and BM changing her mind about him being there or, for some reason, getting pulled aside by TSA and causing a ruckas cause I have a minor who is not my child traveling with me. I worry too much.

Ilumine · July 2013

This is what I got doing a Google Search.

https://www.dhs.gov/how-do-i/travel-overseas

All children, including infants, must have their own passport or Trusted Traveler Program document for U.S. entry. Carry documents for traveling with minor children.

If you are escorting a minor child without the parents, have a letter from both parents indicating that you have permission to travel with the minor.
If the child is accompanied by only one parent, the parent should have a note from the child's other parent. For example, "I acknowledge that my wife/ husband is traveling out of the country with my son/ daughter. He/She/ has my permission to do so."
If a single parent has sole custody, a copy of the court custody document can replace a letter from the other parent.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/268/~/children---child-traveling-with-one-parent-or-someone-who-is-not-a-parent-or

If a child (under the age of 18) is traveling with only one parent or someone who is not a parent or legal guardian, what paperwork should the adult have to indicate permission or legal authority to have that child in their care?

Due to the increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and as possible victims of child pornography, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, the adult have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, friends, or in groups*, a note signed by both parents) stating "I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter/group. He/She/They has/have my permission to do so." See our Q&A parental consent.

* School groups, teen tours, vacation groups.

CBP also suggests that this note be notarized.

While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if we do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed. If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (deceased, sole custody, etc.) any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., would be useful.

Adults traveling with children should also be aware that, while the U.S. does not require this documentation, many other countries do; failure to produce notarized permission letters and/or birth certificates could result in travelers being refused entry (Canada has very strict requirements in this regard).

fellesferie · July 2013

When I travel internationally with DS, I take these things:

1) A notarized letter from XH stating that DS is allowed to travel. The document also includes the names of all the adults in the party, the list of countries we will be in (don't forget to include layovers), and the purpose of the trip. It also includes explicit permission for any adult in the party to seek medical care for DS.

2) A photocopy of my CO.

3) A certified copy of DS's birth certificate.

4) A photocopy of mine & DH's marriage certificate. I carry this because we all have different last names than DS.

I have never been asked to produce any of this documentation, but I would never go anywhere without it.

In case it's not blatantly obvious, I am a planner and a worrier.

Ilumine · July 2013

So basically, have a letter (the customs website has a link to the template to use) signed and notarized.

I will tell you this. I was stopped by the TSA agent that stands at the front of the security line (the one that looks at your passport and plane ticket) and he wanted my letter.

Given that I was in line for a military plane heading to Germany, that I could not get on unless both DD and I had ORDERS and an approval letter signed by our Commanding Officer, I was a bit put out. He even dismissed the orders and letter, so I told him to get me his supervisor.

I guess it dawned on him that by my calm demeanor, I knew I had enough documentation to get through and he did not want to deal with his supervisor Gibbs Smacking him.

HOWEVER, I do know of many military dependents getting caught when they travel back to the US on civilian planes or fly within Europe. Each country has different laws/rules.

So I would not say overkill, I would say CYA.

Shel77 · July 2013

Thanks very much for the research and the personal experiences! Will use the template and err on the side of more info/doc is better.

Nineoceans · July 2013

Tbh we took SS out of the country during a nasty court case and no one asked for anything but his passport. We bought the passport so BM hasn't ever asked for it back. She's not a big thinker though

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International Travel

Re: International Travel

If a child (under the age of 18) is traveling with only one parent or someone who is not a parent or legal guardian, what paperwork should the adult have to indicate permission or legal authority to have that child in their care?

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