? for Canadian "consent letter" for children travelling with only 1 parent

[GillianP1301]

I'm in the process of filling out the consent letter needed for children on foreign travel with only one of their legal guardians. This is my first time travelling out of country with DS and DH not with us. It gives the option to simply just have it witnessed by anyone of age of majority OR for it to be notarized by an attorney. I'm debating the necessity for the legal signoff. My son's father (my husband) and I are still married, so no custody issues at all and pretty straight forward.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Were you even asked for this by immigration? I have only one friend who has travelled under similar circumstances and she was never even asked for the letter at all.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

My sister has had this issue traveling with her minor daughter to Canada from the US (she is a US citizen who owns a house in Canada) and she has been asked for this letter, so I'd bring it, just in case. You can have things notarized by any public notary; an attorney isn't necessary, unless the laws are different in Canada.

 

[letsgo!]

Both my husband and I have done this when we have traveled alone with our son. We had a letter notarized at the city/town hall, and I believe it only cost about $15. We were both asked for it during our travels over the border.

Better safe than sorry, I always say

 

[bdoyledimou]

it does need to be notarized (if it isn't they can reject it).
The Town clerk at city hall can do it for you.

 

[vicki_c]

In the US, your bank will usually have a notary on staff and they will do it for free. Not sure if that's different in Canada or not. My company also maintains a list on our website of all the notaries in the firm and they will notarize as well.

 

[Pumpkin910]

I have it witnessed but not notarized but I have never been asked for it- not going into the US by air or car or for overseas travel.

 

[bdoyledimou]

we always get asked for it -- but we have an awkward family..

my wife and i have different last names, AND she is not a citizen -- she is only a resident -- 2 of our kids have hyphenated names, that do not match my wife (their step mom) plus we have a foster daughter whose name is very different.

so because DW is not a Citizen, she needs to go into the office to get an i-94 visa when we drive over -- which gives them lots of time to review our family's peculiarities -- and we always get asked questions and always have to show docs.

but we are used to it now and expect it.

its just part of the experience

 

[Gigi22]

You can find an interactive form of the correct letter online at http://travel.gc.ca. The Canada Border Services website explains what information is required in the letter. Please be aware that the border agents may ask you some questions, and may also ask your child some questions. This is routine.

 

[MeridaLove]

We had our forms filled out when my parents took our kids to Florida. It was super easy to get it notorized at City Hall (we just walked in and got it done on the spot during business hours). We're in Kitchener, Ontario so I'm assuming it would be relatively the same wherever you are in Ontario.

 

[GillianP1301]

Thanks to all for this feedback. I wasn't going to bother getting it notarized (just witnessed), but now that I see a few of you do routinely get asked for the letter, I'm going to go ahead and get it done. My closest town is Orangeville, so I'll contact City Hall there to see if/how I can get it done.