Documents needed for kids travelling with only one parent?

[pta-mom]

For the little it would cost you (the most I've had to pay is $15), why would you take the chance? It's better to be safe than sorry, I always get the letter,sometimes I'm asked for it and sometimes I'm not - either way I'm ready so that I'm not going to have a problem that would start or end my vacation on a sour note.

Because one: It's a hassle for me & my husband to find the time to go to a notary & two: The cheapest I've found a notary in my area is $59.99, not including tax!

Obviously if it's going to put our holiday in jeopardy, I will have no choice yet I can find no one example of ANYONE not being allowed to leave the country with an un-notarized letter of consent. If I need to carry a letter along with my kids passports, fine....I'm just trying to gauge the validity of having to have it notarized. Given the fact my husband will be bringing us to the airport & can easily wait until we get past security, I don't think I really have anything to fear.

 

[disneyfan2]

Given the fact my husband will be bringing us to the airport & can easily wait until we get past security, I don't think I really have anything to fear.

FYI, I went to the Carribbean one year with my DD and my DMIL and DH came to the airport with us. They wanted to see a letter anyways(it was notorized though) So despite the fact that he was beside me i had to show him. But it was notorized. And this was not to the USA but to Domenican so i don't know if that will matter or not. If you are getting the notorized, try a few more options to see if you can get it done cheaper? Maybe your local Police Dept can have someone do it?

 

[Boncho]

Because one: It's a hassle for me & my husband to find the time to go to a notary & two: The cheapest I've found a notary in my area is $59.99, not including tax!

Obviously if it's going to put our holiday in jeopardy, I will have no choice yet I can find no one example of ANYONE not being allowed to leave the country with an un-notarized letter of consent. If I need to carry a letter along with my kids passports, fine....I'm just trying to gauge the validity of having to have it notarized. Given the fact my husband will be bringing us to the airport & can easily wait until we get past security, I don't think I really have anything to fear.

Actually, it's not security that you have to worry about, it's customs. Phone you local legal aid office, they will usually do it for next to nothing. but it will have to be your husband that takes it in. Good Luck and have a great time.

 

[PrincessMom4]

Actually, it's not security that you have to worry about, it's customs. Phone you local legal aid office, they will usually do it for next to nothing. but it will have to be your husband that takes it in. Good Luck and have a great time.

We drive to the US and have only been asked for a letter 3 times. I hardly ever get asked for my ID coming back into Canada... I always have it ready to hand to them

 

[MamaLema]

DH took the kids without me. We got a letter from our lawyer. It cost us $60, but at least we had peace of mind that he wouldn't have any problems.

BTW, DH took 3 airplanes and was only asked once about where their mother was and why she didn't come

 

[brighteyes]

Because one: It's a hassle for me & my husband to find the time to go to a notary & two: The cheapest I've found a notary in my area is $59.99, not including tax!

Obviously if it's going to put our holiday in jeopardy, I will have no choice yet I can find no one example of ANYONE not being allowed to leave the country with an un-notarized letter of consent. If I need to carry a letter along with my kids passports, fine....I'm just trying to gauge the validity of having to have it notarized. Given the fact my husband will be bringing us to the airport & can easily wait until we get past security, I don't think I really have anything to fear.

I had many problems even getting a passport for my ds (then 11) due to the fact that his "father" has never been anywhere to be seen and I do not know his whereabouts. I had to attend the court office many times and copy my whole custody file to note all the orders and proceedings that he never even showed up to. Then I also had to handwrite an explanation of what I had done to locate his father, and why we were not in contact anymore!! I was like, are you kidding me???!!

Then upon showing all this to the crown attorney at the court house to get the letter notarized he says to me, "You still may not get your passport because these court orders say nothing about access or visitation." Well my order says I have full custody but nothing about access since he wasnt there to ask about it so it has never been an issue.


When all was said and done I had my letter notarized for free, by the Crown, at the Family Courthouse. Finally got the passport for my DS, and waited expetantly for the Customs officer to ask to se all documentation, and nothing!! Not even our passports stamped

To be safe I even had copies of the custody order with me, but DS did get asked by Customs on the way back, if it was just him and I, and my DS proceeded to tell the lady how his father has only seen him twice because he is not a responsible adult and how he owes so much child support, and he is better off with me. LOL

So I would say, leave work early one day, if you need to but better to be safe than sorry. Go to the courthouse and get the letter notarized for free.

Stephanie

 

[ahalla]

My son (13 yrs), just returned from a visit to friend/family in Northwestern Ontario. Since the family he is staying with lives on the Ontario / US border and they visit the US frequently...I had to send his passport for the airlines, a notorized letter stating that he could cross the border with the family (my lawyer did not charge me for this) and since I was the only one to sign the letter, I also had to provide a certified/true copy of the original, of, his long-form birth certificate (signed at the bank). A true pain yes, but it saved any disappointed or major disruptions with plans. When we travelled there ourselves 4 years ago, when crossing the border, they asked our then 9 year old, who the infant was beside him and his relation to him and us. Its just a security measure to protect us the parents and the children.