Crossing the Canadian border with a minor

[Jillywilly143]

Our cruise is coming up, and I am getting a little worried. We are driving from Seattle to Vancouver. My son is 17, and has an adult passport. His dad is not coming. Him and I were never married, and there is no official custody document anywhere. Do I need something from him for my child to be able to enter Canada? His dad is currently on deployment, and I am not even sure of our ability to get something from him. Has anyone gone through this?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Our cruise is coming up, and I am getting a little worried. We are driving from Seattle to Vancouver. My son is 17, and has an adult passport. His dad is not coming. Him and I were never married, and there is no official custody document anywhere. Do I need something from him for my child to be able to enter Canada? His dad is currently on deployment, and I am not even sure of our ability to get something from him. Has anyone gone through this?

If the child has a passport, then permission for him to enter Canada (or any other foreign country) has already been given.

 

[chik1987]

If the child has a passport, then permission for him to enter Canada (or any other foreign country) has already been given.

Thats not really correct. Just because someone has a passport doesn't mean they can up and take off with their child whenever they want and (possibly) never return.

OP I have done a lot of research on this topic since I'm in a similar situation with my children and hope to cruise Alaska in the future. The only difference for me is my ex husband up and left completely when we got divorced. Canada can not allow you entry if you do not have specific written permission to take the child out of the country from the other parent. They have VERY MUCH cracked down on international parental child abduction all over the world. That being said the kid is old enough at 17 to answer basic questions about who he is traveling with and the purpose for that travel. I'm sure given basic questioning that you would be allowed on in your travels since it will be apparent you aren't trying to kidnap your child and there are no pending custody matters. Just be aware though that they can not allow you entry if they feel that your intentions are less than genuine.

Do some googling on the subject there are some very helpful websites out there.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thats not really correct. Just because someone has a passport doesn't mean they can up and take off with their child whenever they want and (possibly) never return.

OP I have done a lot of research on this topic since I'm in a similar situation with my children and hope to cruise Alaska in the future. The only difference for me is my ex husband up and left completely when we got divorced. Canada can not allow you entry if you do not have specific written permission to take the child out of the country from the other parent. They have VERY MUCH cracked down on international parental child abduction all over the world. That being said the kid is old enough at 17 to answer basic questions about who he is traveling with and the purpose for that travel. I'm sure given basic questioning that you would be allowed on in your travels since it will be apparent you aren't trying to kidnap your child and there are no pending custody matters. Just be aware though that they can not allow you entry if they feel that your intentions are less than genuine.

Do some googling on the subject there are some very helpful websites out there.

I've always been told that, for a child's passport, both parents have to sign. Unless there's a reason one or the other can't. By signing the application for the passport, both parents agree that the child can be taken out of the country. If that's incorrect, I'm sorry.

 

[chik1987]

For a child's passport, both parents have to sign. Unless there's a reason one or the other can't. By signing the application for the passport, both parents agree that the child can be taken out of the country.

If a minor child is travelling with one parent only


The parent should present:

• the child’s passport
• a copy of the child’s birth certificate, and
• a letter of authorization, in English or French if possible, which is signed by the parent who is not travelling with them and lists:
  • the address and telephone number of the parent who is not travelling, and
  • a photocopy of that parent’s signed passport or national identity card.

If the parents are separated or divorced, and share custody of the child:

• the parent travelling with the child should carry copies of the legal custody documents.
• It is also best to have a letter of authorization from the other parent who has custody to take the child on a trip out of the country.

If the parents are separated or divorced and one of them has sole custody of the child:

• the letter of authorization may be signed by that parent only and they should bring a copy of the custody decree.

If one of the child’s parents is deceased:

• the travelling parent should bring a copy of the death certificate

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/minors.asp

Like I said before they can not allow you to travel without a letter of authorization from the other parent of the child.

 

[Shanti]

If the child has a passport, then permission for him to enter Canada (or any other foreign country) has already been given.

Nope. Special authorization from the other parent is required, or proof that the other parent is dead, or does not have rights to that child. I had to give notarized permission for my son to enter Canada with his father two years ago, & he'll have to do the same for me to enter Canada with my son next summer. This is to reduce the chance of parental abductions from the US to Canada. I thank God for this rule.

I've always been told that, for a child's passport, both parents have to sign. Unless there's a reason one or the other can't. By signing the application for the passport, both parents agree that the child can be taken out of the country. If that's incorrect, I'm sorry.

Having a passport (which lasts multiple years) doesn't indicate blanket permission for a child to be taken out of the country at any given point in time during the life of the passport (such as right after a custody ruling that one parent was unhappy about...)

 

[Hundredacre]

I traveled extensively around the world by myself with a young child (usually in route to meet my husband) and was never once questioned about traveling alone with a child.

 

[Shanti]

I traveled extensively around the world by myself with a young child (usually in route to meet my husband) and was never once questioned about traveling alone with a child.

Was it from the U.S. to Canada? The U.S./Canadian border is where this law is in effect. It is not in effect all around the world, unfortunately.

If it included Canada, how recent was that trip?

 

[neilintoronto]

I've only crossed the border once with my kids alone, my wife stayed in Orlando for a conference after our Disney vacation. We had a notarized form for crossing the border. Although, I wasn't too worried because I was returning home, not leaving the country.
I don't think it's 100% no official notice = no entry. But, you can also be denied entrance to any country (other than your own for any reason, I think). So, I would try your hardest to get some sort of official notice prepared. Or at least be prepared to spend some extra time and answer a few extra questions at the border. And please don't take our customs officers as typical Canadians -- they're trained to be a bit rude.

 

[chik1987]

I've only crossed the border once with my kids alone, my wife stayed in Orlando for a conference after our Disney vacation. We had a notarized form for crossing the border. Although, I wasn't too worried because I was returning home, not leaving the country.
I don't think it's 100% no official notice = no entry. But, you can also be denied entrance to any country (other than your own for any reason, I think). So, I would try your hardest to get some sort of official notice prepared. Or at least be prepared to spend some extra time and answer a few extra questions at the border. And please don't take our customs officers as typical Canadians -- they're trained to be a bit rude.

I think its really up to the customs officer's discretion. I've seen reports of never been asked to show any documentation and I have seen reports of being given the 3rd degree. I personally wouldn't chance it.

 

[Hundredacre]

Not driving into Canada, no. But I would be shocked if she would have any issue with a 17 year old with a passport. I think the only time you have a problem is if your passport is flagged. No one even blinked an eye for me. I was taking international flights into a wide variety of airports for a few years every few months with a very young child. It was a real pain in the ____. But no one ever asked me anything about traveling alone with a child. The weirdest thing I was asked by immigration once at Heathrow was how do I support myself.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I don't think the letter has to be something really onerous. Can your husband just type something out or write it out and send you a picture of it that you can reprint? I'm not sure that would work, but it would be better than not having anything. My guess is that you'll be fine, as your son is so close to being an adult, but you never know. If the agent is bored that day, he might want to dig further.

I had a friend who was a Canadian Customs officer many years ago. I remember she said that it's the only place in Canada where you're guilty until proven innocent. They don't have to have a reason to be suspicious.

 

[Jillywilly143]

Thanks, guys! Just a couple of things I wanted to point out from the things I read that might clear things up.

He didn't need his dad's signature to get a passport, since he is over 16.
His dad and I were never married, and are not together now. He lives in a completely different state. He would have no problem writing a letter for me, but he is currently deployed and I don't know if it would be possible.

 

[Jillywilly143]

I've always been told that, for a child's passport, both parents have to sign. Unless there's a reason one or the other can't. By signing the application for the passport, both parents agree that the child can be taken out of the country. If that's incorrect, I'm sorry.[/QUOTE]

Technically, for passport rules, 17 is an adult, and he did not need two signatures.

 

[tinkerone]

Speaking from a Canadian point of view, when we travel with my son and his daughter he always gets a letter notarized stating she has permission to be traveling with her father and giving numbers where her mother can be reached in case any questions should arise. We have only had to provide it once at the boarder but happy to have it just in case. I would hate to be denied because of something as simple to get as a letter. Having it notarized just helps prove the mother is truly aware and that the letter wasn't forged. There is a letter that can be printed on our government site.
As to this child being 17, I would think that a pp is correct in that he is old enough to answer an questions to prove that he is in fact eligible for entry but better safe than sorry if a letter can be provided.

https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/children/consent-letter

I know this post is asking about US children but thought this may be of interest.

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/u...ns-acs/sample_letter_of_consent_to_travel.pdf
not sure if that one is state specific but it is a US letter.

 

[Drusilla99]

Here's my experience...I drove from Los Angeles to Vancouver for the dcl cruise last month with my girls, 14 & 16. Their dad, & my hubby, flew direct to Vancouver, and met us once we got there. We all had our passports. At the border there was no questions about where their father was, if I had his permission, none of that. Just general questions about why we were there and for how long. My dd16's passport is new and considered an adult one, so she didn't need both parent signatures for that either. I wouldn't think you'd have an issue.

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't mind the third degree. Thank goodness because I keep forgetting to get a note from dh and we've gone back and forth to Canada a couple times. They ask where the dad is, they ask son's name, we move on. They certainly could ask more but it's easy enough to tell them what's going on. We're never sleep deprived or in a hurry when going to or from Canada.

The weirdest thing I was asked by immigration once at Heathrow was how do I support myself.

Same! Augh I hated that question and that guy. He was so nasty about it, too. We only had two hours to get through to our Aer Lingus flight, DS had refused to sleep the whole flight (from Vancouver, which we had flown into without dad or a note) and he was being a serious jerk. The only thing keeping me from entering the world of spanking (a 10 year old) was the fact that we were under surveillance lol. And then it was long long lines, a missed turn, and then that guy. Yes I'm a stay at home mom. How do I "get money?" Oh the things that flew through my exhausted head... I refrained from saying anything that would get me detained. Said "my husband works", he asked where he was, I told him he'd been on an earlier flight and was already in Dublin, and we were let through. But man. Sure made me feel like an idiot.

He didn't need his dad's signature to get a passport, since he is over 16.

Exactly.

 

[Jillywilly143]

Thank you guys so much! I did contact him and he said he could send a letter and texted me a picture of his dl to attach to it. Unfortunately, given that he is deployed to the middle of who the heck knows where, it cannot be notarized. I can include his phone number, but given current circumstances, he really won't be able to answer if they decide to call.

 

[saxmangeoff]

I don't think it's 100% no official notice = no entry. But, you can also be denied entrance to any country (other than your own for any reason, I think). So, I would try your hardest to get some sort of official notice prepared. Or at least be prepared to spend some extra time and answer a few extra questions at the border. And please don't take our customs officers as typical Canadians -- they're trained to be a bit rude.

I think this sums it up. Without documentation from the father Canada has the right to refuse you entry. But it's likely that you'll pass the "sniff test," especially since you'll have cruise documents with your names on them, and be fine.

Your plan to get a note from the father giving permission to go on the cruise sounds like good insurance. Like insurance, if you don't need it, great. But if you do need it, it's great to have.

 

[Imahikergirl]

Thank you guys so much! I did contact him and he said he could send a letter and texted me a picture of his dl to attach to it. Unfortunately, given that he is deployed to the middle of who the heck knows where, it cannot be notarized. I can include his phone number, but given current circumstances, he really won't be able to answer if they decide to call.

He may be able to get one of his officers to notarize the letter. Regardless, a letter is better than nothing, worse case bring an e-mail from him saying you have permission.

A girlfriend and I took our girls shopping across the border into WA on a day trip, and got grilled and scolded on the way back because we didn't bring notarized letters with us. Me being who I am, I asked the border guard if she realized we were trying to bring them home.