Notarized Letter for Taking Daughter to U.S. Without Hubby

[House_of_Mouse Fan]

I have read several posts indicating that it's a good idea to have a notarized letter on hand when taking children across the border without your spouse. I'm taking my 15-year old daughter to Florida next month but my husband has to work. Does anyone have any suggested wording that should be used for the letter?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I used a simple letter with a phone number to contact the ex ... although my daughter was 17 ... and I was never asked for the letter.

More? see the link.
http://travelwithkids.about.com/cs/carplanetips/a/crossborders.htm

 

[mkmommy]

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/preparation_information/consent-letter_lettre-consentement-eng.asp

 

[dopeyluvsgrumpy]

Its a good idea to have the letter. A couple years ago I got stopped at customs coming back into the country at the Toronto airport. I didn't have a letter for DS and the agent was horrible! I didn't have any problems leaving the country, just getting back in! Seemed really weird to me....like I kidnapped him and was now bringing him back? Now I always make sure I have a letter.

 

[House_of_Mouse Fan]

Thanks so much for the great info!!!

 

[squirrel]

It's funny how they don't care when you take the kids out of the country, but when you return-wow they sure ask all kinds of questions. Seems strange to me.

Last time the agent at the boarder asked me when I would be returning my niece to my sister-I told him when we got back to Chilliwack (it was early morning by then).

I didn't have a noterized letter that time as the previous two times the note was looked at once (flying). So I used a form letter that someone posted and made a copy of it and my sister and BIL filled it out. It saved them about $30 in fees to have it noterized.

 

[RainbowsMist]

This is the one I used straight from Forgein Affairs Canada. http://www.voyage.gc.ca/preparation_information/consent-letter_lettre-consentement-eng.asp

I never had it notarized however there is a spot for a witness. I filled it out and my ex husband filled in his part...his wife was his witness.

I've never had any problems...then again they've never asked me for anything even though she and I have different last names...

 

[Ted in Halifax]

mkmommy has it ... we used that Template.

 

[rjan67]

I live in a border city and cross frequently back and forth to shop (plus I work in the U.S.) with my kids. I've never had any trouble but once dh was asked when he was taking the kids to his Grandmothers in Michigan for dinner. Not a big deal, just asked where I was etc. I am driving the kids to Florida with my Mom for our cruise at March break and didn't even think about getting a letter (dh is joining us and flying down on the Fri). I think I'll ask when I go to work next. We all have Nexus passes, I do remember once one immigration officer telling me that would make it easier, perhaps that is why I don't get questioned.

 

[CanuckPrincess]

It's a good idea to have a letter. I have been asked every time to show one - and we travel cross border 3 or 4 times a year. Just makes it smoother.

 

[formill]

We took my son's 17 year old girlfriend across Buffalo/Fort Erie border to fly out of Buffalo last December- we did not have a letter and the border guard asked for one....she opened the door on van and asked her if her "mom " knew she was going......and then also asked to also have her birth certificate to go with the passport. We had taken her across on a camping trip months before- had the letter and were never asked for it......so this trip thought it did not matter too much and she will turn 18 this May......luckily they did just let us cross- would have been a BIG nuisance to come back and get a letter. Coming back home no issues at all. Always seems to depend on who you get.....same with one time we decide we want to bring back 2 cases of beer and pay duty (only across for day) - really want to find out how much that would cost.....and guess what.....he did not care......off we went.

 

[mkmommy]

That is the thing, you never know when they will ask for it.

And I agree I have been asked for it coming back to Canada, going not yet.

 

[drag n' fly]

We are asked every single time for consent papers if I am taking one of the kids and I am always asked for custody papers. The border person always stops my kiids and asks them a couple of questions eg: Where are you headed? What are you doing there? ....every single time. I tell you there is no funny business at YYC!

P.s.: It is not necessary to have it notarized. As long as you fill it out completely and provide contact info (make sure it is a number that the parent can be contacted at in case they do call while you are standing there).

 

[disneyfan2]

every year i had a notirized letter, and this past Dec i was asked for it.... as i was getting it out.. the guard said "i hope you had it notorized" i said yes.. He really started out kinda nasty to me with a bunch of questions, but after i got the letter he mellowed out and was actually smiling

Not sure what he would have done if it wasn't but i was glad i didn't chance it..

Also this was at the Peace bridge(first time crossing here) previously always crossed at Lewiston so not sure if that matters or not.

 

[drag n' fly]

That in there lies the problem. Some people sail through with the shirts on their backs and then others are teated much differently. Zero consistency. I even asked the border people if my letter needed to be notarized and he said it isn't necessary but if you are travelling a lot with the kids alone it helps to have it notarized. Maybe it is worth doing. Getting it notarized is costly I wonder how long a notarized copy is good for?

 

[ferris198]

To get a letter notorized is about $25.00, and is valid for the length of the trip.

 

[BellyBaby]

I've been asked once coming into Canada, (DS and I have different last names) Border dude asked if it was notarized, I said "no". But I got the form letter from the Border Services Web site!! He said, "well, I wish they would tell us what's going on, if you got the letter from our website, I guess that's good enough!"

If you have the same last name I doubt they'll even blink at you. They're mostly looking for smuggled infants and children, not teenagers. why bother sneaking a teen over when they're 3 yrs away from adulthood? ya know?

Now I just bring a signed letter from my ex, and my separation agreement. I doubt any border guard wants to waste his time with us. Like you said, we're coming BACK into the country!!! So bizarre.

 

[Tantor]

We get a letter everytime(notarized)....so far never been asked but it only takes once. We spend a lot of money on our trips, I am not going to risk having to turn back!! That's just me.....

 

[laura001]

I was asked one time when I was traveling out of Toronto to Orlando with my DD. I did not have a letter and they started to explain that I/we couldn't go (this was at the airline check-in). Luckily I was able to catch my DH before he left the terminal (he had dropped us off) and he came in and spoke with them, they put special notes on the file but advised us to never do that again. I have always had one since but never been asked for it...go figure!

 

[Tantor]

I was asked one time when I was traveling out of Toronto to Orlando with my DD. I did not have a letter and they started to explain that I/we couldn't go (this was at the airline check-in). Luckily I was able to catch my DH before he left the terminal (he had dropped us off) and he came in and spoke with them, they put special notes on the file but advised us to never do that again. I have always had one since but never been asked for it...go figure!