Minor Authorization Form

[manateesmom]

Best practice is to have one. The issue isn't DCL's requirements, it's the requirements of U.S. law and the countries you will visit. Parental/custodial kidnapping happens. There is a federal law called the International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act ("IPKCA"), which makes it illegal for one parent to remove a child from the country for purposes of interfering with another parent's custodial rights. Homeland Security, which is now responsible for border control, enforces the IPKCA. Here's more info: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/215476.pdf The U.S. has "treaty partners" who have agreed to a treaty with similar provisions to prevent international kidnapping, and that's most of the places you'd visit on vacation.

That's the reason you MAY be asked for proof that the other parent knows you're traveling with the child. It's far more likely to be an issue if you are, say, driving across the border into Mexico than if you're getting onto a cruise ship. Still, it is possible that you could be asked for this information before you are cleared through DHS to leave the country, before you enter any foreign country, and when you return to the U.S. (to be sure you aren't wanted for kidnapping).

Yes, I'm sure it's highly unlikely and rarely happens, and that everyone's experiences posted above are correct. In fact, that really kind of bothers me, because in case my husband ever thought to abduct our son and leave the country with him, I'd certainly hope for enforcement of these laws. A cruise ship would be a pleasant, non-suspicious way to get to a foreign country, and you could then walk away with the child, kwim?

DCL doesn't necessarily care because it's not their policy, it's a matter of federal and international law. To be sure you won't be delayed or hassled, it's best practice to have authorization from the other parent just in case. It may be overly cautious, but if it were me, I'd have some kind of notarized document/letter saying the other parent is aware of this specific travel (i.e., dates, plans, ship name, ports) and a phone number to reach the other parent.

 

[thehighprincess44]

I have called Disney twice and both times were told that as long as one parent is travelling, nothing but the passport is needed. My daughter and I are leaving next week and it had me concerned. They said only if I were to bring a friend for her, would I need minor authorization.

 

[LasseKjus]

Just get the form signed an notarized to be safe. There's very little chance you'll be asked. We've sailed at least 7 times with children from other families, never once have we been asked for the form, that includes Disney and non-Disney lines.

Once we were asked for the form when traveling with our own children. One of our three kids were in her grandparents stateroom. I think this was MSC. They were checking in literally right next to us. They said we needed the form signed and notarized that she was allowed to travel with them. We kept claiming that she was our kid, but it took at least a half hour to solve and determine we didn't need the form.

Also on last cruise, we took our foster child. We called the line to see what we'd need (since we really wouldn't have permission from her parents, therefore not able to get the form notarized). The cruise line suggested we contact the department that administers passports. They weren't of much help either. By the time we got to port, no one asked for anything special.

So, chances are you aren't going to need any of it.

 

[got2travel]

Like I said, the rules say one thing, the reality is another. You can be stopped, but 99.9%they won't bat an eye. Sucks to be that 0.1% though.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Just get the form signed an notarized to be safe. There's very little chance you'll be asked. We've sailed at least 7 times with children from other families, never once have we been asked for the form, that includes Disney and non-Disney lines.

Once we were asked for the form when traveling with our own children. One of our three kids were in her grandparents stateroom. I think this was MSC. They were checking in literally right next to us. They said we needed the form signed and notarized that she was allowed to travel with them. We kept claiming that she was our kid, but it took at least a half hour to solve and determine we didn't need the form.

Also on last cruise, we took our foster child. We called the line to see what we'd need (since we really wouldn't have permission from her parents, therefore not able to get the form notarized). The cruise line suggested we contact the department that administers passports. They weren't of much help either. By the time we got to port, no one asked for anything special.

So, chances are you aren't going to need any of it.

Odd - the form itself doesn't indicate that it should be notarized. I guess we should have it notarized just in case.

 

[NickyDa]

We had the form signed by my step-daughter's mother JIC, but did not see any info about notarization for our June 2012 vacay. Oddly enough, she leaves in another state (a different address from us) and doesn't share our last name, but DCL only looked at her passport and gave us a boarding number. No other questions asked.

Like many others, I'd rather be safe than sorry--be told you cannot board.

 

[stulaurie]

I wonder if you had a medical emergency and had to leave the ship lets say in Mexico. Then would you need the form?

I always travel with just my daughter and I always have 2 signed and notorized forms. One just in case Disney wants it and the second I carry with me in ports. You never know. I have never needed it but feel safe having it.

 

[MaryLou1962]

My husband and I have travelled alone with each of our two sons many times. If we are travelling internationally we always take the birth certificate that lists both of our names as parents, our marriage license and a notarized letter granting permission for me/him to be travelling with the child.

I have been asked for these papers on several occasions by immigration officers in Canada, the US and Europe. Both when flying and driving.

You just never know.

 

[ForTheLoveOfDCL]

Just called Disney since my sister in law is traveling with us with my nieces in Dec and got divorced. The rep said as long as the children are traveling with a parent who's name is on the BC, it doesn't matter. I then said she was divorced... and she said that some divorce docs are different and I should make sure that in her docs it doesn't say she needs his permission. I said she has sole custody so it shouldn't matter and she said right. NOW my question, how is DCL gonna know she is divorced anyhow? I mean that isn't a question!!! I mean if I traveled with my DD's without my DH, they would just say welcome home!!!!

 

[n8nally]

Just called Disney since my sister in law is traveling with us with my nieces in Dec and got divorced. The rep said as long as the children are traveling with a parent who's name is on the BC, it doesn't matter. I then said she was divorced... and she said that some divorce docs are different and I should make sure that in her docs it doesn't say she needs his permission. I said she has sole custody so it shouldn't matter and she said right. NOW my question, how is DCL gonna know she is divorced anyhow? I mean that isn't a question!!! I mean if I traveled with my DD's without my DH, they would just say welcome home!!!!

My question exactly!

I have sole custody of both my children and our divorce papers do not specify that I need any kind of permission to travel or move anywhere with my kids.

However, I kept my married last name so the kids and I have the same, I am listed on their birth certificates, and I plan to also bring my marriage license (to prove I am who my birth certificate says I am), so how would Disney (or any of the foreign port authority) even know that I'm divorced???

 

[abbiep]

We just got off the Dream with our DGD and her last name is not the same as ours. I had the form from my daughter but it was not notarized. I wasn't asked for it but when I presented our passports I handed them the form. They barely looked at it and put it to the side. I would take it just incase, better safe than sorry but we probably could have sailed without it with the check in person we had.

 

[californiamomofboys]

I originally posted this question. I had the form filled out and notarized prior to our cruise last month. I was not ever asked to present it and my sons were actually booked in a different room than me ( they were with my mom who has a different last name than we do). We all checked in together and no one asked to see the form. We all had passports. FYI.

 

[wdwlover25]

My sister has an interesting situation as well. Her ex-boyfriends first child has no contact with her mother and her father doesn't have sole custody. My sister would like to take this girl (fifteen so too young to obtain a passport without permission from both parents) on a Disney cruise with only a BC and permission from the father. Would a BC and minor authorization from only the father be sufficient documentation for this type of situation? Any advice is much appreciated!

 

[danfromca]

I don't know about cases of divorce & separations, but with regards to traveling with kids who are not your own, you do need the minor authorization form. In the past it had to be notarized, but that is no longer the case.

 

[dnice416]

My sister has an interesting situation as well. Her ex-boyfriends first child has no contact with her mother and her father doesn't have sole custody. My sister would like to take this girl (fifteen so too young to obtain a passport without permission from both parents) on a Disney cruise with only a BC and permission from the father. Would a BC and minor authorization from only the father be sufficient documentation for this type of situation? Any advice is much appreciated!

I would advise the father to apply for his daughters passport along with a form DS-3053 (Statement of consent or special circumstance). All are available on the Department of States website. You just need to state the reason why the non-applying parents written consent cannot be obtained and any recent efforts you have made to contact them. Easy breezy!!

 

[allie1078]

question - where on the form do you have a notary sign? I am traveling with my children and divorced from their father. He seems fine with the whole trip but afraid of what he will do once on the trip. long story. so I asked him to sign and notarize saying I could take the kids. did you make up ur own form or use the minor authorization form or is there another form out there?