a dads permission

[pwade]

I’m taking my niece (25) and grand niece (6) on a Disney Cruise Sept 05. Costco said I need to get a notarized letter from the father (my nephew) saying he gives his permission for me (and her mother) to take her on this trip. I think it’s a bit odd since the mother will be with us. She has primary custody. Has anyone run into this before? Thanks!

BTW, I did get the reclassified room of 7120. Thanks for the tip!

Pat

 

[aprilgail2]

I took my daughter on 2 Disney cruises by myself and didn't need any letter of any sort to do it...last cruise my friend also took her daughter with no letter from the childs father with no trouble at all...was never even mentioned at check in.

 

[shezbda]

I have been asked to show a notarized letter saying I had my husband's permission to take my daughter into Canada and the United States on three occasions. I am Canadian and live in Bermuda so this may be a factor. I was told that you need a notarized letter to take your child into Mexico if you are not travelling with your husband/wife. Does anyone know if this is true? Thanks.

 

[marcij]

Yes -- I have heard of that. I am in charge of the travel for our company retreats. I was told by the airlines and cruise lines to make sure that we had letters of permission to take the kids out of the country for families traveling with only one parent. I was told they do this so that people involved in custody battles can't "flee" the country with the kids.

 

[pwade]

Thanks for your feedback. I was thinking it was for medical, didn't cross my mind about fleeing! He is giving us permission, just wasn't quite sure why we needed it. Makes sense now that you explained it. Thanks again.

Pat

 

[belleandthebeast]

This is something relatively new only coming to light in the last few months.

However, I have always traveled w/ a notarized letter from my parents when taking my siblings. For medical and security reasons. Now it is a must.

I'm really concerned that they haven't started this sooner.

~Princess Dana~

 

[din]

Not really realted to your question, but laws have changed so much..

When I first applied for a passport for my DS I did it myself.

When I did another application a couple of years latter for my other DS, it required that my DW sign a form or be there in person, no DS required.

Recently I did another application, since minor cannot renew, it required that DW, DS and myself be there in person.

 

[TooPure4u]

When I went in January with my son, I had to have his fathers ok as well. His father lives in Alaska and I in New Jersey. It was a pain in the ....well you know, but yes I did have to get permission.

Thank you for bringing this up because I am going again in January and forgot all about that!!!! I am also taking his girlfriend (just booked her) and will need permission for her as well.....ugh.....

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Yes, it's possible that you wouldn't be challenged if you didn't have the letter. But you might be challenged. Wouldn't it be worth it to get the letter and bring it with you so you have one less thing to worry about?

 

[pwade]

Absolutely Dave and he has no problem with us going. I had talked with a few co-workers (i don't have kids) who questioned this and I knew the right place to ask! Many thanks to all.

Pat

 

[TooPure4u]

I just called Disney and they said that, you should have the letter to protect yourself and anyone going with you. If anyone has an ex or any other person that may pose a problem when you try to board the ship, then the letter should be at the top of your list of things to get. Just the parent with legal custody needs to get you the letter. Not mandatory I was told...but a good idea.
(my first cruise was a Make-a-Wish)...I forgot...that must have been why I needed his fathers permission.

 

[pwade]

thanks for making that call TooPure! There is no conflict with the parents, there certainly won't be any probelm in that area. Thanks again.

Pat

 

[ivanova]

FYI a single parent with sole custody doesn't need a letter from the ex-spouse (especially if there's a great deal of animosity there) but you will need a copy of the court documents granting you sole custody.

 

[sweet angel]

That's correct about the sole custody issue.

I opted to get a passport for my DS-13, even though the travel agent said an original birth certificate would probably be fine. I had to have his father sign a notarized letter stating that it was okay for me to get the passport. Each of us (according to the woman at the County Clerk's office) needs to sign the passport as mother or father, and then when my son turns 18, he signs for himself.

It was also suggested to me that my ex provide me with a notarized letter for the airline and cruiseline. Better to have it and not need then to not have it and need it.

 

[tiggrbaby]

I am taking my two younger sons on the 11/4 Wonder with my sister while my husband and oldest son stay home. Do I need a letter from my husband? Wheree would I find such a form?

 

[eander5696]

I am taking my niece on the 10-2 cruise, and just happened to see this post, thank goodness! I have a unique case, my parents are legal guardians to my niece, who also has a medical condition needing refrigerated daily shots.

I just got off the phone with Disney and asked them this very thing. I was told for any child I would need to provide:

1. ID (passport or birth certificate)
2. The filled out and notarized document from the Disney docs saying I have authority to get her medical attention on the cruise and that I can make decisions for her
3. A simple letter from the parents, signed, and notarized, basically stating that I have permission for my niece to travel with me

I also (mostly because Im a nervous nelly and she has a medical condition) got additional documents, everything I could think of!!!

4. I got a medical release from my parents, authorizing me to make decisions on her behalf, signed, as her legal guardians.
5. A copy of the guardianship order
6. A letter from the doctor stating her condition and the meds I'll be carrying
7. A copy of the medical release form we faxed to Disney

I shoud be prepared for ANYTHING!


The thing that frustrates me is nowhere in anything that I've read was this letter of "permission" stated that it was needed. I can't imagine what would have happened if I didnt have it, sounds like I could have been stopped at the port OR they won't even ask for it. Who knows. All I know, is Im going to be prepared for anything!

Thanks!

 

[jenlovesdisney]

I am a divorced mom of two and I decided just to get the notarized letter (my TA provided me with a generic letter for travel) and have him get it signed. This way I am covered. Plus I am taking their birth certificates because passports are expensive and I am trying to save money for the dolphin swim!

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by tiggrbaby

I am taking my two younger sons on the 11/4 Wonder with my sister while my husband and oldest son stay home. Do I need a letter from my husband? Wheree would I find such a form?

Again, it would be a good idea to have this in your possession in case you're challenged. Better to have it so you have one less thing to worry about.

I'm not aware of any "form", but you could draft a document such as

September 24, 2004

To Whom it May Concern:

I, John Lewis Smith, give permission to my wife, Mary Louise Jones Smith, to take our sons, Alexander Bruce Smith and Charles Daniel Smith outside the natural boundaries of the United States during the period of October 1 - 10, 2004 inclusive, for the purpose of a cruise on the Disney Cruise Line and all associated ports of call.

Signed,
[signature]


Notarization:

Then he takes it to your bank. Most banks have at least one agent on duty at any time who is a notary public. They will usually provide occasional notary services on a complimentary basis for their established customers. Remember, he should not sign the letter until the notary watches him doing so.

 

[jweiss]

I am a single parent. I cruised last month with three children..... my (adopted) daughter, my niece, and my foster baby. I had all necessary papers, daughter's birth certificate, passport and notarized letters from niece's parents, and court order and birth certificate for baby. Note that two of these children are not "mine". I was not questioned at all by anyone anywhere. I find that a bit odd........

 

[The4OfUs]

Originally posted by sweet angel
. Each of us (according to the woman at the County Clerk's office) needs to sign the passport as mother or father, and then when my son turns 18, he signs for himself.

My kids both have passports, my daughter used it several times this summer when she went as a student ambassador to Australia and New Zealand with a group of kids - she's 12, my son is 10, and they had to sign the passports themselves, we did not sign them.

Now I have to check them - did we do it wrong? I don't think there is a place for parents to sign, do you sign where they would, or above it??