parent permission letter

[allthatglitters582]

My friend and her 5 year old son are joining us for a cruise this month. She is divorced and shares custody. I know she needs a permission letter from his father to take him out of the country but I need to know what the letter has to say specifically, how it should be worded and what it needs to include.
Thanks in advance

 

[allthatglitters582]

I called Disney they said she didn't need a letter so now I'm confused :/

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I called Disney they said she didn't need a letter so now I'm confused :/

Be aware, calling and asking a question of 3 different DCL telephone CMs will (most likely) get you 3 different answers.

I would think a short, sweet letter stating that he is aware that she is taking the child (by name) out of the country during the period of (whatever time frame the cruise dates are) would be sufficient. And I'd get one no matter what the person on the phone says. Many of those people have never even been near the ships and have no idea of how things really work at the port.

 

[dymo]

I am also divorced when I called a few months back with the same question they told me I do NOT need a letter or proof of anything regarding custody or divorce. I know when traveling by plane out of country they wont let you on the plane without but I guess leaving a U.S port and coming back to a U.S port is different.

 

[ocspartan]

I am also divorced when I called a few months back with the same question they told me I do NOT need a letter or proof of anything regarding custody or divorce. I know when traveling by plane out of country they wont let you on the plane without but I guess leaving a U.S port and coming back to a U.S port is different.

Has anyone had this experience as my sister in law is planning on joining us on the next cruise she has sole custody of her 11 year old would she need to get a letter of permission

 

[lilbuddy88]

I guess I'm a little confused. Nothing they ask for would indicate that your divorced so why would they need a letter from anyone. I'm married and take my kids without my husband and have never been asked for a letter from him. They would see the same documents from you that they would see from me. I know some lines ask for a notarized letter when neither parent is traveling and there is requirements if you are cruising to Mexico (maybe this is where the letter is needed if your cruising to Cozumel).

Now taking a letter as back up in case something happens is another story but I've personally never been asked to show permission from the absent from cruising parent.


Interesting let me know what turns out to be the final outcome of this. I might get a letter from my husband from now on just in case.

 

[Bear3412]

Related discussion;

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3144330&highlight=permission+letter

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3078574&highlight=permission+letter

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3079980&highlight=permission+letter

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3049932&highlight=permission+letter

 

[Tink3350]

I have taken DS on three cruises and have always had a simple statement signed by his father acknowledging that he is aware that I am taking our son on the cruise, where we are going and the dates. We were never married and do not have a custody agreement. I have never been asked for the letter but I always have it with me....better safe than sorry!

 

[mstee777]

I've never taken a letter when cruising without DH. But I guess it couldn't hurt to do so from now on.

 

[lanejudy]

I have taken DS on three cruises and have always had a simple statement signed by his father acknowledging that he is aware that I am taking our son on the cruise, where we are going and the dates. We were never married and do not have a custody agreement. I have never been asked for the letter but I always have it with me....better safe than sorry!

From a legal standpoint, this is the recommended approach regardless of marriage-status or custody agreement. If it's possible to get a notarized letter from the non-traveling parent indicating approval to take the child(ren) out of the country, it's advisable. If the child(ren) have passports, all the better (both parents must approve a passport application for a minor child).

However, it is not required by DCL and most of the time will not be requested by immigrations officials either. So if it would be problematic or impossible to obtain such a letter, you can certainly cruise without it. But it's good insurance to have in the odd occasion if questioned.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[twindaddy]

As a regular on here and other cruising boards, I have yet to see a mom/woman need any documentation. I have seen a sprinkling of stories about men being asked for documentation. Dont get me started on that.

I am a type A over-planner, so I would have the letter, but you will probably not need it.

 

[abja09]

I am divorced and took my ds10 on a DCL cruise in March. I did not need to provide any documentation or letter giving me permission to take my son on the cruise. No one knows your marital or custody situation. As others have said you could just be traveling without a DH.

 

[tajz90]

I've taken both my children on several Disney cruises including one in Europe without their father and have never been asked for any confirmation of marital status, custody agreement, or letter from their father.

 

[Seamama]

My friend who is married took her kid to Canada for the weekend and she had to have her husband fax a letter to her in Canada saying she had his permission to take their child out of the country. Not sure what the letter said but I was also surprised it was required. I guess it's to prevent the possibility of non-custodial parents 'stealing' their kid and going into hiding. It seems there's some amount of discretion at the borders but I would call a local family law lawyer before going to another country (or even a cruise that just has an out-of-country port) if I were traveling with any kids 'alone' (i.e., without the other parent).

I guess I'm a little confused. Nothing they ask for would indicate that your divorced so why would they need a letter from anyone. I'm married and take my kids without my husband and have never been asked for a letter from him. They would see the same documents from you that they would see from me. I know some lines ask for a notarized letter when neither parent is traveling and there is requirements if you are cruising to Mexico (maybe this is where the letter is needed if your cruising to Cozumel).

Now taking a letter as back up in case something happens is another story but I've personally never been asked to show permission from the absent from cruising parent.


Interesting let me know what turns out to be the final outcome of this. I might get a letter from my husband from now on just in case.

 

[lanejudy]

My friend who is married took her kid to Canada for the weekend and she had to have her husband fax a letter to her in Canada saying she had his permission to take their child out of the country. Not sure what the letter said but I was also surprised it was required. I guess it's to prevent the possibility of non-custodial parents 'stealing' their kid and going into hiding. It seems there's some amount of discretion at the borders but I would call a local family law lawyer before going to another country (or even a cruise that just has an out-of-country port) if I were traveling with any kids 'alone' (i.e., without the other parent).

It isn't uncommon at the Canadian border -- not a definite but it does happen, and probably more often than on cruises. But then again, I've crossed the Canadian border much more frequently than I've cruised

 

[She Taz]

It is a requirement in Canada when travelling with a minor to have a notarized letter from the non travelling parent. In fact if you go to the passport website it has a template

 

[pbwhite]

Indeed crossing the border into Canada can be an issue - my wife was asked for proof of permission from me to bring the kids across this summer. Her utter surprise and shock at the question "Does your husband know you're taking the kids out of the country?" was enough for the officer to let her pass, but he said she could be barred from entry in the future without a letter.

When the kids travel with their grandparents, we send them with a letter and state that they have our permission to escort them, and they also have permission to make decisions regarding medical care in the event the children are injured or sick.

We enter the dates of travel, and notarize the letter. They have not been asked for the letter when flying domestic with the kids yet, but have not been out of the country, either.

I think it's a pretty simple note. Dates of travel, permission to take the child out of the country. I'm not sure whether you need medical consent authorization, but that might be nice too.

Notarized, and you should be good to go.

 

[scootch]

About to take our 5th disney cruise without hubby(not divorced, but he doesn't not go to disney with us d/t vertigo issues) Never been asked for anything, nor did I take anything.

 

[Lauriejl2]

Agree with everyone saying just bringing a short and sweet note of some kind signed by the children's parent not traveling is a good idea even if not required. I live near Canadian border and traveled once separately from husband I think he had my daughter and met me there a day later I had our other kids. We both wrote letters and just handed them the letters with our passports & kids birth certificates. Never giving them a chance to ask if I had it. But I better to have it along with u than not. Ours was not notorized.

 

[princessnpirate]

You do not need a letter. I am divorced and have taken my son (who has a different last name) on 5 different cruises and I have never needed anything. You only need it if you are not a parent.

On a separate note I always travel with his birth certificate and my current marriage license because I am afraid of a TSA agent questioning the name difference. I remember once a TSA person asking my son who I was (his mother) and there was no other problem.

If you want to get a letter, there will be a sheet in your cruise documents that you can have notarized.