Any extra documents needed for crossing border with only 1 parent?

disneywithkids

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Joined
May 4, 2003
Messages
120
Hi,

We're flying out of Buffalo later this month and I will be taking dds by myself and dh will meet us in Florida later.

Do I need a letter or form filled out by dh saying that he approves that kids are crossing the border (at Niagara Falls).

I thought there was something like that at the borders so that kids aren't taken out of the country by a divorced/separated parent without the knowledge of the other parent.

DDs have always left the Country with the two so not sure if this will be an issue.

Thanks for your help.
 
I would take a letter from your husband just in case Stating it is OK for you to take them on the trip and he is planning on joining you later. Better to be prepared, I know my mom had to do this when I was little. Kat
 
Yes, you do need proof that your husband knows you are leaving the country with your children.

A friend of mine flew,with WEST JET, to Florida this winter with her 3 daughters, they were meeting her husband there. At the airport the airline asked if the father was aware of this trip, she said yes but they wanted proof. The only thing she had was the receipt that he had made the flight arrangements on his credit card, the accomadation where made in his name. Finally they called him on the cell, in his truck, and they confirm all the info.

She got really nervous for awhile, but everything worked out in the end.

I would get a written document even get it notarized.
 
A co-worker of mine drove to Florida and his wife and daughter flew to Florida. They needed a notorized letter from a lawyer saying he gave permission for her to take his daughter out of the country. Hope this helps, I would get it anyways just to avoid being held up. :earsgirl:
 

I work in a lawyer's office in Mississauga. We do these documents all of the time. I can prepare the documents for you (free of charge) if you like.

I can be reached at 905-502-6984
 
In the case of separated parents, and the court has awarded custody to one parent, but the court order is silent on border crossings, is a letter from the other (non-custodial) parent still required?

Thanks for any information.
 
We took my little brother on year and my dad had to have a signed letter for crossing the border it wasn't necesary to get it notarized but he did get asked for it when we crossed.
 
Based on others' experiences, I would say you want to have something. But from my own personal experience, my sisters and I have taken each others kids to WDW several times and have never had a problem crossing the border. We took my niece a few years ago, and when I handed customs all of the BC's and our DL's, they didn't even ASK why we had a 9 yr old child with a different last name than the rest of us. Not one word mentioned about it. My sister had typed up a letter stating all of the pertinent info, including contact numbers for her and DH, but they never asked to see anything. Now this was driving so maybe that makes a difference.

MaryLiz
 
davidm16 said:
In the case of separated parents, and the court has awarded custody to one parent, but the court order is silent on border crossings, is a letter from the other (non-custodial) parent still required?

Thanks for any information.

If the non-custodial parent has access to the child, and will miss an access visit while the child is away, then a signed declaration is required by the non-custodial parent.
 
Hi, i'm so glad this has been raised as i too was worried about this issue.As a UK citizen ,no-one seems to be able to help me with this one, as in the U.K ,if parents have never been married the mother has automatic parental responsiility.Is just a letter their father has written, enough to satisfy immigration,when we arrive in Toronto from England, as i'm terrified of being turned away-after a 7 hour flight with a 12,8 and 6 year old :sad2: Also ,what kind of fees do notorised letters carry?
Thanks :Pinkbounc
 
I just went through this earlier this week.I spoke with customs and the passport office and both suggested that I carry a Letter of Consent when I travel with the children without DH.I want to make sure that I have no problems when we hit the Airport here in Toronto or coming back from Orlando.I even got the kids their passports.The last thing I want is to be turned away after all this planning for our trip to Disney.
 
I'm trying to figure out where I can get the letter...my ex and I are ambiable, and I'm remarried. I'm wondering if they'll even look twice at me travelling with my current hubby and my 12 year old. I have a passport for him, I'll be travelling with the custody agreement (we have joint custody, I have primary care and my ex has reasonable access with reasonable notice). Should I get a letter? Do I have to get it notarized? Eep.
 
Hi Aevalin,i think just a letter will be sufficient, a i have travelled to Orlando plenty of times on my own with my kids from the UK,and the immigration officers have not batted an eyelid at MCO.It seems you may need the letter to get out of Canada, as oppossed to getting into Orlando :
 
Thank you! You have all been so helpful!

Leanne - your offer to write up the letter is truly appreciated. I found a generic template to use through the link to the federal passport office, so I should be ok with that. But, THANK YOU! :flower:

That is one less thing off my list... ;)
 
disneywithkids said:
Thank you! You have all been so helpful!

Leanne - your offer to write up the letter is truly appreciated. I found a generic template to use through the link to the federal passport office, so I should be ok with that. But, THANK YOU! :flower:

That is one less thing off my list... ;)


You are very welcome. I hope you have a great trip!
 
Visiting the site here because my sister in law is looking into a trip toWDW soon and they live in Calgary--so I have been sending her links and such. But this intrested me because I am planning a trip to Cananda in a few weeks to visit them and it will be just me and the kids--hubby has to work. I wonder if I will need something on this end too. Guess I should look into that huh--I can't wait to visit that part of Cananda--I hear it is gorgeous!!!.

Dchef
 
Hi,

My ds4 and I just got back May 9 from travelling to meet my husband in Orlando. We printed off the form on the passport web site and he signed it and then had it notarized by his Commanding Officer. We were not asked for anything going down, and when I came back the Canadian Customs Officer quizzed me so I offered up the form with our passports. They were fine with it. I also made sure my ds had a passport.

In 1999 I took my 11 nephew to Orlando and again, I had no problems going into the States but did get asked for documentation at Canada Customs when I came back with him :)

Best to have everything on hand even if you don't need it :)

Paula
 
My sister in law just went to tampa florida with her 3 year old flying outta toronto and wasn't asked for anything except proof of citizanship wasn't asked for a letter or anything and she is american but lives here and her child is canadian born but I would incase, I have takin both my kids across the boarder to the US without hubby and never asked for anything but citizanship and proof just this weekend I took my daughter to detroit alone with a friend no problems
 















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