Divorced parent and child has different name at the airport.

[Straughn]

I have a friend who often includes a neice on their vacations. The neice and my friend's daughter are the same age and look enough alike that people often mistake them for fraternal twins. She always carrys a notarized letter, signed by both parents, stating the dates of the travel, the family relationship and that my friend has the authority to make medical and legal decisions (Husband is a lawyer ). Only one time did she need to produce it- a little incident involving a broken wrist and the emergency room. She has never been asked, even crossing into Canada, for proof that the child was traveling with her legitimately. She thinks it is because everyone just assumes they are sisters.

 

[rwdavis2]

We are flying out of BWI. I am going to have her bring all the documents with her. I will also have her get a noterized statement regarding medical, as shr does have full custody and joint legal. Thanks again everyone.

Do whatever you are comfortable with but I doubt that anyone will ask for any of this information unless you are leaving the country. I've spoken to TSA agents and they will not even look at medical documents because there is no way for them to know if they are real or fakes. Probably the same for any other document.

 

[rwdavis2]

I have a friend who often includes a neice on their vacations. The neice and my friend's daughter are the same age and look enough alike that people often mistake them for fraternal twins. She always carrys a notarized letter, signed by both parents, stating the dates of the travel, the family relationship and that my friend has the authority to make medical and legal decisions (Husband is a lawyer ). Only one time did she need to produce it- a little incident involving a broken wrist and the emergency room. She has never been asked, even crossing into Canada, for proof that the child was traveling with her legitimately. She thinks it is because everyone just assumes they are sisters.

Now this is excellent advice for medical situations. My SIL is a hospital admin and always insisted on a medical letter when the kids went to visit.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

My kids have a different last name than I and nobody says anything when we travel. I do know though I have seen it mentioned that it is an issue if you are going on a cruise. You need a signed permission slip from the other parent. But on Southwest airlines and normal Orlando airport security nobody has ever questioned me about my kid's names.