New family, crossing the border, 4 last names! any advice?

[bdoyledimou]

So we are plannig a drive down to the World for Aug 1.

This is our first trip as a newly blended family.

It is me, my two kids, my new wife, her nephew and her mother.

We have all the letters from the parents, and passport but all of our last names are different! Should we expect extra scrutiny? Shoudl we plan extra time for the border crossing?

 

[GrtWtNorth]

We have all the letters from the parents...Should we expect extra scrutiny? Should we plan extra time for the border crossing?

Get the letters notorized. All of them. And make sure they have home-phone and cell-phone contact information so that they can verify them if they wish. It's a PIA, but I've been challenged trying to cross the border with my DD because the letter from my wife was not notarized. They let me through, but I from the attitude I got, I fully expected to be turned away. They were more cautious/alert because DD was too young to speak for herself. The border guard tried to question her, but she only said "dada", but she said it in a happy way that likely indicated to the border guard that she was comfortable with me, so I'm not likely a kidnapper.

Prepare all the kids (and adults) to be questioned by the border guards. Tell them to be honest. (Don't create a cover story that could get blown apart by a child's innate honesty. I know families who were talking to the border guards when a kid in the back seat shouted, "She's not Mom, she's Auntie!" Before the outburst, they were planning to tell the officer that they were the parents. They were lucky. They could have faced serious legal issues if caught in a lie regarding legal guardianship.) Authorities may ask the kids, "Does your mother know you are leaving Canada with your father?" "Do you know where are you going?" "How are you related to these people?" If all the kids give the consistent answers, and say how excited they are to go to WDW, you should be fine and on your way in no time.

Time at the border is unknown. It all depends on the quality of your paperwork, the attitude of the border authorities, the attitude of your kids and family, plus recent events (especially media attention regarding cross-border custody issues). They may ask you to pull aside while they contact all the other parents listed in your letters. If you're prepared, it should go quickly.

Good luck!

 

[dancin Disney style]

I'm in total agreement with the above post. The most important thing is the documentation. I cross often just for the day to shop with my DD. We have different last names and the only time I take the letter with me is when we are going on vacation....that's because we have a flight to catch. When it's just a shopping trip I don't bother because it's no problem if they don't let us cross. So far I've not had a problem. The times we have been really grilled are when we were driving as a family to Florida. I think due to the fact that we are crossing the boarder at 3am. They will want to ask the kids questions....if they are old enough to talk.

You can go on the Canadian government website to see exactly what your letters need to say. They even have sample letters. I don't think I have the link anymore but I'm sure you can find it. You should look at it because I think there are requirements when it comes to divorce/custody....if that's your situation.


Have a great trip !!!!
As long as you have passports and a proper letter there will be no problems.

 

[MomtoEmIs&Ow]

I have to laugh when I saw that PP accidentally put motorized But I just wanted to add that I have crossed with other peoples children, and while I did not get the letters notorized I would for a trip to WDW. Not something you want to be turned away for. Just to be on the safe side. Have a great trip!


I also have a DD that has a different last name then me. The only thing I get asked is what is our relationship... She is 14 so I do look young to be her mom, but thats cause I am

 

[KiKi Mouse]

I called the US Border the other night with this question.
DD12 is going with another family to a soccer tournament. I am sending a letter with the other Mom with my contact info. However the border guard said that my daughter is old enough to speak for herself so if there are any questions they can ask her.

When I take DD12 across I always take a copy of my divorce agreement but I have never been asked. I also take a letter from my ex. I have never been asked for it except when I was returning to Canada...<insert eye roll>

 

[momof2gr8kids]

I always take a letter from dh when I travel alone with our kids. Have never ever been asked for anything going into the US (and that was w/ 4 different last names and two kids that didn't belong to me once!). But, once got a really hard time coming back into Canada w/ my kids. Uh, hello, if I was kidnapping them I wouldn't be returning to the scene of the crime! Little too late to be checking documentation now, isn't it?

 

[KiKi Mouse]

But, once got a really hard time coming back into Canada w/ my kids. Uh, hello, if I was kidnapping them I wouldn't be returning to the scene of the crime! Little too late to be checking documentation now, isn't it?

LOL me too. The female CBSA agent was a real snotrag. I didn't quite understand why I got the gears coming home.

 

[cpbjgc]

To start off, we always get questioned at the border - not a blended family, but our daughter is adopted from China. She has always been directly questioned at the border going to the states, but never on the way back (I think because we all have passports which we use even when crossing in a car). I also get routinely searched when we travel by air - I guess they like my looks . I also used to do some immigration law, and I wanted to chime in on two posts - just for information.

I always take a letter from dh when I travel alone with our kids. Have never ever been asked for anything going into the US (and that was w/ 4 different last names and two kids that didn't belong to me once!). But, once got a really hard time coming back into Canada w/ my kids. Uh, hello, if I was kidnapping them I wouldn't be returning to the scene of the crime! Little too late to be checking documentation now, isn't it?

Actually, you could be kidnapping the child from your American Ex (not you, of course, just telling you what they are thinking). It does happen, unfortunately.

And to dancing Disney Style, I would suggest always taking your letter, even just for the day trips. I say this because if they don't let you cross, they will likely note in their system that you were refused entry - and that will make for a HUGE problem on your next trip.

If it is noted that you were refused entry, that is grounds for a border officer to decide your are ineligible for entry (i.e. never able to cross the border or even make a connecting flight in the U.S.). They will likely ask on your next run if you were refused entry, and like most people you will say no (because you didn't realize that when you turned around that meant you were refused entry), and that will be considered lying to the border officer (also grounds that make you ineligible for entry). Depending on the officer you get, they can even confiscate your vehicle (yes it does happen).

This is a worst case, but not uncommon, scenario. As long as you carry the paper, you should never have a problem.

 

[brighteyes]

To start off, we always get questioned at the border - not a blended family, but our daughter is adopted from China. She has always been directly questioned at the border going to the states, but never on the way back (I think because we all have passports which we use even when crossing in a car). I also get routinely searched when we travel by air - I guess they like my looks . I also used to do some immigration law, and I wanted to chime in on two posts - just for information.



Actually, you could be kidnapping the child from your American Ex (not you, of course, just telling you what they are thinking). It does happen, unfortunately.

And to dancing Disney Style, I would suggest always taking your letter, even just for the day trips. I say this because if they don't let you cross, they will likely note in their system that you were refused entry - and that will make for a HUGE problem on your next trip.

If it is noted that you were refused entry, that is grounds for a border officer to decide your are ineligible for entry (i.e. never able to cross the border or even make a connecting flight in the U.S.). They will likely ask on your next run if you were refused entry, and like most people you will say no (because you didn't realize that when you turned around that meant you were refused entry), and that will be considered lying to the border officer (also grounds that make you ineligible for entry). Depending on the officer you get, they can even confiscate your vehicle (yes it does happen).

This is a worst case, but not uncommon, scenario. As long as you carry the paper, you should never have a problem.

WOW!!!!!! Good to know! Thanks.

 

[dancin Disney style]

And to dancing Disney Style, I would suggest always taking your letter, even just for the day trips. I say this because if they don't let you cross, they will likely note in their system that you were refused entry - and that will make for a HUGE problem on your next trip.

If it is noted that you were refused entry, that is grounds for a border officer to decide your are ineligible for entry (i.e. never able to cross the border or even make a connecting flight in the U.S.). They will likely ask on your next run if you were refused entry, and like most people you will say no (because you didn't realize that when you turned around that meant you were refused entry), and that will be considered lying to the border officer (also grounds that make you ineligible for entry). Depending on the officer you get, they can even confiscate your vehicle (yes it does happen).

This is a worst case, but not uncommon, scenario. As long as you carry the paper, you should never have a problem.

Good to know.....my DD is 11 so she can speak for herself.

 

[bdoyledimou]

ALl the kids can speak for themselves, and we have the letters, and they are notorised (my ex is Special Officer and works at City Hall and its not a hassle , but quite easy to get notorised.)

We all have passports, and individually we have crossed the border many times. Its just as a group and as a family and all the different names was my concern is all.

We will also be crossing during the day... i have been stopped previously and searched during a night crossing.

Also note that if you are denied entry, you will recieve a notice. If you do not recieve a notice, it is a voluntary recind of request. (Been through that situation before too)