Buffalo with Joint Custody

[drakes]

Now I know there may be few of you having experienced this. But with the new border crossing regulations I wanted to be safe.

My ex has signed a consent to travel letter for dd. It includes the dates of travel plus a buffer of dates surrounding our reservation to accomodate any travel plans we may need due to flying out of Buffalo.

Has anyone had any problems at the border due to travelling with a child you share custody with? Or is anyone familair with this.

I have talked with my lawyer , but peace of mind would be from those who have done it or have some experience stories to tell.

Flying out of pearson our last trip was no problem, and they did ask for the letter. Interesting point I learnt, even if you are not divorced from your child's other parent and you are travelling without them custom can ask for a travel letter from the other parent.(?)

I am glad the border has these rules, and I have everything in place, I just hate to be stuck at the border and delayed.

 

[Catrinabeach]

I haven't crossed at the Buffalo border but I have at the BC border.

We flew the first time with my 2 boys and they didn't even ask for a letter.

The next time we took my 2 boys, our dd, and my neice. We had a letter for my neice. They didnt' ask on the way into the states but on the way home they questioned my oldest son who we were to him.

I never had a letter for my boys any time we have taken them but I have sole custody/guardianship and a restraining order against their dad.

The next time we went we drove over (Seattle) and took my boys, our dd, and my BF's DD. We had a letter for her, and we were travelling in 2 cars. I was worried but she didn't blink an eye. I showed her the passports, custody papers, and the letter from my BF.

I think if you have a passport they won't even question it. It might be different if you don't have a passport.

 

[drakes]

Thanks for your reply, we have the passport, the court order and the letter. I am not worried about not having the information, Worried about some delays !

I really appreciate your experience - thanks for sharing!

anyone else with some advice? please

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I'm divorced with four kids, now grown, and I've never had a letter. The customs people would occasionally ask the kids questions about their relationship to me, where their dad was, etc. Never had a problem.

In February, I flew to WDW with a friend and we brought her 12-year-old son. She's married. Didn't have a letter but her plan was to have them call her husband's cell phone if they had any concerns. Again, they just asked her son a few questions and that was it.

Teresa

 

[rewok]

Many of my friends and family have travelled with only one parent without a hitch or delay. This is a very standard thing for custom agents, and as long as you have the letter of consent, you're OK. Now I've heard stories about people who did not have the letter and the problems they ran into, if you want to confirm you did the right thing....

 

[Ham Ham]

When traveling internationally with my children, without my DW, I always a have a consent letter with me from a lawyer.

If you do not have one and customs/immigration/border services start going by the book you may be delayed or refused entry to U.S.

Never been asked for a consent letter but throwing a wrench into my travel plans isn't worth the risk.

 

[hematite153]

If you've discussed this with your lawyer then you are probably covered.

The regulations for crossing in a car are the same as for crossing by air--you're just further from home if you missed something.

There is specific language listed on the customs websites for both Canada and the US. If you've used it and have all required documents you shouldn't have a problem.

The one thing you didn't mention...was your ex's signature notarized? If not, it's probably not considered to fully fulfill the requirements.

 

[drakes]

Thank you everyone. We followed the guidelines provided by customs, we even used their template for the letter.

I appreciate all your feedback !

 

[squirrel]

I get my sister and BIL to have a notorized letter made each time I take my niece out of Canada.

The custom agents are very happy when I show them the letter and have commented that lots of people don't get one but they should.

 

[maryrego]

We have done it 3 times with my step daughter
We always have her mom write a letter

We have never had to show the letter or had any problems

 

[hockey mom]

I have crossed the border with my 2 girls about 50 times and have never even considered getting a letter from my ex.

I have never even been asked about them. We have also taken friends of their's and although I did get a permission letter I have never needed it.

 

[drakes]

Thank you for the feedback.

We were asked for the letter on our return from WDW at pearson in 2007. So I know we need the letter, I didn't know how Buffalo border in the car would be as we have never taken her that route.

Hey at this point I am just happy you disers read and posted !