Border crossing

[Reese]

My DD and I are travelling to WDW for her 12th birthday on Thursday. We both have passports and I was wondering if he just wrote a letter stating that it is okay for me to take her out of the country, would that be good enough. He has also offered to drive us there and pick us up but that's an extra three hours out of his day to take us and again to pick us up. Which would you think would be easier?

 

[disneynuts777]

I have been taking my 2 DD's by myself for the last three years. I have never been asked for proof that I was allowed to take them out the country by myself. They are now 15 &13.
I paid a lawyer the first year to draw up a letter of permisson and was peaved that I wasted $75.00.
The only thing I was ever asked for at the border crossing was proof of a return flight.
I think you would be okay......they might ask your DD a few questions but I think you should be fine.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Technically, you must have notarized proof that it is legal for you to remove the child from the country. Included in the letter must be things pertaining to custody and all travel arrangements. There is a section on the gov't website that gives all the required info. Sorry, but I no longer have that link.

However, they don't ask that often and even if they do your DD is old enough to speak for herself. I take my DD with me all the time to shop in Buffalo for the day and have never been asked for any documentation. We do always cross with Canadian passports and have for about the last 8-9 years. Lately, they have asked my DD questions about me and if she is allowed to travel with me. BTW, she is 10.

In the past when I have travelled to the US for a holiday without my DH I have printed a letter on his company letterhead and had him sign it. I have not had it notarized though. It states where/how I am going (all flight and hotel details) and when/how I will return. It also states that he is fully aware of the trip and it is OK with him for me to take our DD.

My older DD has travelled without either of us so I have had to get a notarized letter for her several times. We were told by Air Canada that she would not be permitted to board the plane without said documents. My DD has travelled 4 times with either my mother or friends and only once was she asked for the letter. Also, once she was asked in Mexico if she had permission to travel without a parent. She said 'yes' and that was that.

 

[b-1]

here is the link for a form letter. http://www.voyage.gc.ca/preparation_information/consent-letter_lettre-consentement-eng.asp

have 2 copies made up. I don't get it notarized but I do photocopy DH's passport and/or driver's liscense to go along with his signature.

I have been asked on the way down ( US Immigration) and on the way back ( canada customs) both while driving and flying.

better safe than sorry.

 

[Boncho]

As said before, it's better to be safe than sorry. My son was 13 and 6 feet tall when we went through the border this year but I still got the consent letter and notorized. Some people have said that they have never been asked for the letter so you shouldn't worry about it. I have only been asked for the letter twice and even though my son was old enough to speak for himself, I was glad I had it, otherwise I could have had problems. This was when my son was 10 and as tall as I was, the man still inspected my letter for a good two minutes. If you don't have a friend that is a lawyer to notorize the letter for you, take it to Legal Aid, they notorized one for me for only $15.

 

[snickerboo]

Do you know anyone who can notarize documents like that? My dh is a professional engineer and can notarize documents. Check into who can act as a notary public; you might find out a friend can do it for you for free. However, I have taken dd to the US on my own several times, without passports (before they were required), and have never been asked for anything extra. So, get your dh to write a letter, make sure he has his cell on if they want to call, if you know a notary get the letter notarized BUT you probably won't need any of it.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I agree with having a letter. I don't do it just to go over shoppping in Buffalo because if they won't allow me to cross it's no big deal. I would just go home but I do take a letter when going on vacation. Like I said I have never been asked but there is always a first time and technically you must have a letter.

You can get letters notarized at city hall for a very low fee...around $15 or $20.

 

[Shih-Tzu]

Wouldn't chance trying to go over without it...IF they ask for it (and they do spot check) the time you lose would cost you much more than $75.

 

[Reese]

Thanks for the link to the letter. I won't be needing it after all. Dh went to take the car to work today and there was a big puddle underneath. There is a hole in the radiator pipe so it leaked all the coolant out. I doubt it will be fixed by tonite so Dh will be driving us and picking us up.

 

[Boncho]

Unless your husband is driving you to an airport in the U.S. to fly to Florida, you still need the letter to come home. Once I was asked on our way home, not on our way there, go figure.

 

[Reese]

We're flying from Buffalo so he'll be with us for crossing the border both ways.

 

[Lil Bo Peep]

I will be flying out of Detroit airport in November. My daughters boyfriend will be joining us, he doesn't have a great relationship with his mother and he no longer lives with her. (she kicked him out of the home and is living here with us) I guess what my question is, when we go and cross into the US what documentation would I need if any? His mother more then likely won't give him a note saying he can travel with us. He is 16 and in the province of Ontario he can legally live on his own. So without the note would they just question him about going with us? He does have his passport. Any help here would be great Thanks

 

[jmann]

My Travel Agent says your local MP can sign a letter, but I have not verified that.

 

[disneynuts777]

I will be flying out of Detroit airport in November. My daughters boyfriend will be joining us, he doesn't have a great relationship with his mother and he no longer lives with her. (she kicked him out of the home and is living here with us) I guess what my question is, when we go and cross into the US what documentation would I need if any? His mother more then likely won't give him a note saying he can travel with us. He is 16 and in the province of Ontario he can legally live on his own. So without the note would they just question him about going with us? He does have his passport. Any help here would be great Thanks

I have enclosed the link from the Canadian Foreign affairs and International Trade.
In Canada they classify a child to anyone under the age of 18. I hope that you can find your answer here. I have never travelled with someone elses child alone just my own.

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/faq/children-travel_enfants-voyage-eng.asp#1

 

[Lil Bo Peep]

Thanks, I just hope all goes well when we cross the border. I have heard I could also get a letter from the police station stating this is his current address and he resides with us. We don't fly out until Nov 17 but we are going to be staying over in Detroit the night before. I will be leaving so I can get to the Detroit Border at 12 noon on the 16 just in case a problem comes up that way I have the rest of the afternoon to sort things out I hope. Wish me luck, I may need it.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Thanks, I just hope all goes well when we cross the border. I have heard I could also get a letter from the police station stating this is his current address and he resides with us. We don't fly out until Nov 17 but we are going to be staying over in Detroit the night before. I will be leaving so I can get to the Detroit Border at 12 noon on the 16 just in case a problem comes up that way I have the rest of the afternoon to sort things out I hope. Wish me luck, I may need it.

If you can get a letter from the police without any hassle then you should get it.

I wouldn't worry to much, my friends and I crossed yesterday to go shopping. This was the first time since the new passport regulations and they asked what was the purpose of our trip and then swiped our passports. That was all, it was the fastest crossing I've ever had.

I don't want to sound like I think it's no big deal or that people don't need the proper documents. I always have a letter when I'm going on vacation with my DD but with a kid that's 16 it is a little different.

 

[Lil Bo Peep]

Sounds good thanks.