Do I need a letter from hubby?

[DumboFan]

Since my DH won't be cruising with me, DD & DB, will I need to carry a letter from him?

The cruise is paid, the birth certificates are in order, just waiting (not very patiently) for my docs!!!

 

[AnnMorin]

and you are custodial (or married) you should be fine to travel out of the country with your child. If however you are divorced, seperated, never married etc,and share custody you would need a letter.

 

[professorandmom]

"need" a letter is a matter of opinion. There have been many threads on this subject. I did get one from the ex but it was never asked for - I thought it was NOT worth the trouble but I am sure you can find many opinions
Barbara

 

[nedleycan]

We are flying separately (DH and DD together, me and DS together) because of free flights. We are from Canada and we will definitely we writing notes to each other, and having them notorized. I was told that I would be nuts not to do this (by the customs officers).
Since you will be leaving the U.S. and going to foreign lands (I assume) then it might be smart. If when you go through customs they ask for the letter, and you don't have it, they will not let you enter. There are so many cases of abduction these days. I am usually a very laid-back person, but for my vacation, I wouldn't want something so small to ruin it... but it is your choice.

 

[mcnuss]

Originally posted by AnnMorin
and you are custodial (or married) you should be fine to travel out of the country with your child. If however you are divorced, seperated, never married etc,and share custody you would need a letter.

My 2 cents on the letter issue -

You should do whatever Disney tells you to do, and I think in this case, they do not advise or require a letter. But if you are the least bit worried, go get the letter and put your mind at ease. You'll have a better trip that way.

My last name is not the same as DD's or DH's - yes, I am one of those Rush Limbaugh feminazis who did not change her name for professional reasons. I've never been hassled when traveling with DD (but she does have a passport, which implies the other parent's consent to travel out of the US since both parents must authorize the application, except in certain situations) but have had other situations where the name difference has caused problems. For those of you in a custodial situation, the issue is different, but frankly, it's not like anyone at the port knows what your custodial status is just by looking at you! You must do what your lawyer and/or decree tells you to do, so that you are both honorable and legal. If you don't know the whereabouts of an ex, don't tie yourself in knots, go on your trip and don't worry. You're not meant to track someone to the ends of the earth so you can leave the country with your child(ren).

Disney cruisers should not forget that only the Disney CM checking you in will ever see your "papers". They are checked at the port, and then you use your KTTW card to get on and off ship from that point forward. You don't go through Customs or Immigration at the different ports. This is handled by Disney. We put our passports in the room safe and did not take them out again until we disembarked. There is no authority in Mexico or elsewhere going to check your papers. When we checked in, nobody looked twice at our different names, and I could have been a step-mom and DH a divorced dad. Nobody asked - or cared - what the legal status of our family was.

 

[AnnMorin]

that was not my intent. When I said "need" a letter I only meant that technically you could be questioned and in the event that happened a letter would certainly be of value in that situation. I agree it is very possible that no one will ask or care but in the event that someone did having the letter handy would alleviate a great deal of hassles. Again sorry if I came off wrong. ann

 

[mcnuss]

Ann - I don't think you were offensive or that you came off "wrong" at all!

I think the best advice we can all give each other is that if you think you need (or whatever word one chooses to use), then get it for the peace of mind.

Allison