Letter of Consent

[KNovacovschi]

We will be going in October and my DD14 will obviously be with us. What I am wondering is if anyone knows if I still require a Letter of Consent notarized to go. I had one done when she was 9 and no one actually asked us for it. We also go cross border shopping regularly but I think that's different then flying. I asked at the passport office. When I renewed her passport but the answers I received, from more then 1 person, is that I can take the letter but because of her age she can answer any questions they ask. Does anyone know a for sure answer.

 

[michelle1]

In the past year I have travelled twice with just my daughter and one time I was asked and another I was not so I think to be safe it's best to have something. There is a website where you can print off a letter of consent which I used and didn't need it notarized. www.ezbordercrossing.com

 

[KNovacovschi]

In the past year I have travelled twice with just my daughter and one time I was asked and another I was not so I think to be safe it's best to have something. There is a website where you can print off a letter of consent which I used and didn't need it notarized. www.ezbordercrossing.com

Perfect thank you. I don't have a problem with creating the letter & having her father sign it I just don't have the time to get it notarized & I know he won't take the time to do it.

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

You're only going in October and don't have the time to get it notarized? There are at least 30+ days before October. The worst case scenario is that you get a customs agent with an attitude - why risk it ?

 

[KNovacovschi]

You're only going in October and don't have the time to get it notarized? There are at least 30+ days before October. The worst case scenario is that you get a customs agent with an attitude - why risk it ?

I work M-F 9-6 and as far as I'm aware lawyers & such usually work M-F 9-5.

 

[tiggspring]

I work M-F 9-6 and as far as I'm aware lawyers & such usually work M-F 9-5.

AAA in the US has a notary in most locations have you checked them in Canada? . I believe most local banks do too for mortgages etc. You might want to try your local bank and see if its available as part of your account or or an extra fee. Insurance agents often need to be a Notary. We tried to make things air tight when we let the US. You might get an agent that lets you in US but find a problem getting back home.

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

I work M-F 9-6 and as far as I'm aware lawyers & such usually work M-F 9-5.

it doesn't have to be a lawyer. ever consider notary, commissioner of oathes ?

 

[HeatherLassell]

it doesn't have to be a lawyer. ever consider notary, commissioner of oathes ?

That's what I did. I created the letter, printed and signed it. I have a friend who is a commissioner of oaths and she signed it for me and my ex husband. He luckily for me was more than willing to get the letter signed for the kids trip!

 

[bdoyledimou]

We will be going in October and my DD14 will obviously be with us. What I am wondering is if anyone knows if I still require a Letter of Consent notarized to go. I had one done when she was 9 and no one actually asked us for it. We also go cross border shopping regularly but I think that's different then flying. I asked at the passport office. When I renewed her passport but the answers I received, from more then 1 person, is that I can take the letter but because of her age she can answer any questions they ask. Does anyone know a for sure answer.

Just crossed on the 18th in Fort Erie -- my 14 year old son was questioned about me (who is man, what is his relationship to you, where does he live relative to me, what is his full name, and when is his birthday).

Then he asked me for a letter from my sons mother allowing me to travel with him. They did not ask my daughter anything, but did ask for a letter for her as well. (I did have both)

The last time we crossed (Sarnia) the agent didn't even blink -- two swipes of the passport and have a nice day.

 

[goofyintoronto]

That's what I did. I created the letter, printed and signed it. I have a friend who is a commissioner of oaths and she signed it for me and my ex husband. He luckily for me was more than willing to get the letter signed for the kids trip!

This is exactly what i did. I created the letter myself. I indicated where we were going, the address of the hotel, our travel dates, i printed the letter and got my exhusband to bring it to a public notary. I searched the yellow pages for public notary and looked for the cheapest one. There are TONS in the yellow pages. We got one for $20!!

EVERY SINGLE TIME i have taken my son to florida i have been asked for the letter. EVERY TIME. And we have been going to disney for years. I heard the letter is mandatory. I honestly wouldnt risk it. Going to a public notary/person doesnt take long. I dont get home from work until 430pm and every place ive called was able to accomodate me as late as 6pm. I've also gone to notaries in my work area, right across the street from my work. I went during my lunch. It takes a couple of minutes. Youre going in september, you have plenty of time to get it notarized!!!! I didnt get mine done until a couple of days before our trip. Lol.

If you dont want it notarized, you should at least get a letter from your ex with a photocopy of his license on it.

 

[KNovacovschi]

Thanks everyone. I will definitely get one notarized. I did have one for last trip when she was 9 & was never asked for it & go over Queenston-Lewiston all the time with no hassles but with my luck the one time I don't bother with it will be the time when they won't allow us over. I will see if I can find someone after 6. Definitely don't want anything to ruin our vacation.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I work M-F 9-6 and as far as I'm aware lawyers & such usually work M-F 9-5.

if youre the one who needs the letter, youre not the one who's suppose to go to the public notary. Your child's father is the one who should be going to the notary with 2 pieces of ID. He needs to sign the letter infront of the notary, not you. You dont need to be there. Your signature isnt required on the letter. So the fact that you work 9-6 is irrelevant. I made an appt for my exhusband at a place close to his home. I gave him the $$ for the letter, told him what he needs to bring, gave him a copy of the letter i created, and off he went. very simple.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Thanks everyone. I will definitely get one notarized. I did have one for last trip when she was 9 & was never asked for it & go over Queenston-Lewiston all the time with no hassles but with my luck the one time I don't bother with it will be the time when they won't allow us over. I will see if I can find someone after 6. Definitely don't want anything to ruin our vacation.

Trust me its better to be safe than sorry. I had friends travel without a letter, and the customs agent gave them such a hard time. they wouldnt let them pass until they actually spoke to the father on the phone. the father had to fax a letter before allowing them to cross the border. Its such a lengthy ordeal, you wouldnt want to miss your flight over it! Im so worried that the one time i dont bring a letter, i'll be given such a hard time. Murphys law is always with me. Lol.

As i said before, your ex is the one who needs to get the letter signed. you cannot bring the letter already signed by your ex to a notary. they wont notarize it that way. Your ex has to prove he is who in fact he claims to be, by showing 2 pieces of ID....he has to sign in front of the notary person. Then and only then will they notarize the letter. If you brought them a signed letter, how would you be able to prove your ex did in fact sign it? it could have been any joe from a gas station. know what i mean?

 

[chimo2u]

I had a letter done Feb 2011 when my 14yo/ almost 15yo so and I traveled alone to WDW, luckily our town office did it for free....was never asked for it though. Taking both my boys this time (Sept27) My 20 yo will be fine-- he's an adult, but will they still want this letter for my now 16yo?
I would rather just not deal with getting it if I don't have to! Do you think they'd question a 16 yo?

 

[highland3]

We have travelled across the border with friends of our kids many times. We were asked for a letter on the last trip for a 16 year old. I had stopped doing them since we had never been asked. He asked her and us some questions, told me to start carrying a letter and then let us go.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I had a letter done Feb 2011 when my 14yo/ almost 15yo so and I traveled alone to WDW, luckily our town office did it for free....was never asked for it though. Taking both my boys this time (Sept27) My 20 yo will be fine-- he's an adult, but will they still want this letter for my now 16yo?
I would rather just not deal with getting it if I don't have to! Do you think they'd question a 16 yo?

until they turn 18 i'd bring the letter for sure.



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[tamarabannon]

my husband and I are still married, but I travel frequently to the US with my kids and not him. I've never been asked for a letter! :O

My parents also travel without me but with my kids and have never been asked.

I cross at Sarnia occasionally, normally at the Rainbow Bridge. Hmmmm

 

[goofyintoronto]

my husband and I are still married, but I travel frequently to the US with my kids and not him. I've never been asked for a letter! :O

My parents also travel without me but with my kids and have never been asked.

I cross at Sarnia occasionally, normally at the Rainbow Bridge. Hmmmm

Thats puzzling. Im surprised with the inconsistency when it even says on the passport website that we must carry a letter of consent.

 

[sstarke]

My two cents. I wouldn't risk it. Not in a million years.

They are always checking for missing children at the border. Have you ever crossed while an Amber alert has been issued? We have. It wasn't pleasant. They were even more investigative of my Mom and I with the kids then normal and they certainly asked for our letter, in both directions. My husband and I are still together and the time they even questioned my children about the situation and where 'Daddy' was.

 

[tamarabannon]

Actually once they asked my son, who has Aspergers, where his daddy was. He answered with, I call my dad Papa. He's boring, he's at work, so we're going shopping.

Then he just carried on talking... LOL like and tonight, when I get home, I'm not going home I'm going to Nana and grandpa's and we're having a sleep over, which is when his sister interjected with I'm not sleeping over, I don't have hockey, Mama won't be able to use Nana's car and Papa's at work again so grandpa has to take Jakcson. Mama and I are going to walk to the garage sales. I have 5$ if I don't spend it today.

Jackson piped in with, If dere's gawage sales at nana's house I getta go to dem too!

Kenna but not the ones at our house!

Jackson ya but ---

Agent tries to interrupt

Kenna JACKSON BE QUIET! We are at the border!

Agent -- have a nice day ma'am.