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

[Kat&Dom]

I am a single mom and have taken my son out of Canada 5 times - I have never had to show anything leaving Canada but twice returning - once at Calgary airport and once at Edmonton airport - they asked "where's his daddy?" I said, we are divorced, do you want to see the Sole Custody order - they said yes both times and read through it. I also have it in my divorce judgment that I have Sole Custody and that I can travel outside of Canada without the written permission of my ex. On the last trip when we arrived in Calgary, I told him that I appreciated him asking for the documentation but that I would rather be asked leaving the country because I would not want my ex to be able to take my son out. He said that they are mostly concerned that I am not bringing a child that doesn't belong in Canada in. I had always thought the letters were to safeguard our children from parental abductions but apparently not.

 

[jmann]

I travelled with my 6yr old in Oct. We crossed by car in Port Huron and I had a letter that I done at London City Hall 2 hours earlier. You write the letter,
they copy it on fancy paper, an oath is sworn and noted on the paper that the info is true and I only had to show it once. The border guard who I offered it to(he did not ask) said it was the best letter he had seen. The cost was only $30, well worth it when you consider the price of the trip.

 

[Boncho]

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?
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That's what I used to think too. This year (I get the letter notorized every year - good thing) I was asked for the letter. My son is 14 and 6'2". Go figure.

 

[alamode]

My case is slightly different, as my wife has passed away. I bring along a copy of her death certificate, just in case.

The border people treat the situation very well IMO. They ask where Mommy is, and when the kids say "Up in Heaven", that's always been the end of it. But it's still always good to have paperwork just in case.

 

[DCinNs]

I am a single mom and have taken my son out of Canada 5 times - I have never had to show anything leaving Canada but twice returning - once at Calgary airport and once at Edmonton airport - they asked "where's his daddy?" I said, we are divorced, do you want to see the Sole Custody order - they said yes both times and read through it. I also have it in my divorce judgment that I have Sole Custody and that I can travel outside of Canada without the written permission of my ex. On the last trip when we arrived in Calgary, I told him that I appreciated him asking for the documentation but that I would rather be asked leaving the country because I would not want my ex to be able to take my son out. He said that they are mostly concerned that I am not bringing a child that doesn't belong in Canada in. I had always thought the letters were to safeguard our children from parental abductions but apparently not.

Amazing!! I would think a Canadian passport would be enough proof!!

 

[Demi_8]

I asked this same advice here last summer because my husband also had to work. My kids aren't really little but they are still minors. I decided to get the Consent for peace of mind. I got the template from:

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/preparation_information/documents/consent_letter-en.doc

and just personalized it to meet our needs. The price of getting it notarized wasn't as bad as I had thought but be sure to check prices because there was quite a range. I found the cheapest at $20 by a small notary public office, but I live in the city and there are lots of choices. Law firms were more expensive. I'm glad I had it even if we weren't asked because I didn't want anything to spoil the magic of our vacation ... and nothing did!

 

[who's ur daddy?]

For those in the GTA, I can notarize your travel letter for you. For free. But only if you are a certified Disney nut. PM me if you need one.

 

[rjan67]

I asked on the way to work yesterday. I got the wry smile and the "well, it depends on the officer". She asked how old my kids would be (12,9,7) and she said she just usually talks to them. Most likely the worst would be to just call my husband. For me, I quite literally live 5 minutes from the border, so at worst he would have to come meet us. My dh is meeting us in Florida (can't get the extra time off work), so I plan on having copies of all our cruise documents and his flight to Orlando. I haven't decided about filling out the letter. If I lived farther from the border however, I wouldn't take the chance.

 

[maiapapaya]

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?

Oh, they will! My DH's ex-wife took their daughter to Mexico a few years ago, when she was 16. The ex didn't bother getting a letter and the customs agent upon return to Canada gave her a major hassle - and they have the same last name, and she's the custodial parent!

 

[baby_tran37]

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[yxe dad]

My insurance agent notarizes my letters for free! I have home & car insurance through her and she says it part of her services for clients. It's a nice perk.