Permission Letter

[thescamp]

We went on our first Disney cruise this year, and loved it so much we are going again next year. We brought our granddaughter, age 6, along with us . We had the small permission slip to travel with a minor child that was in the DOC packet, along with a very brief letter saying she had permission to travel out of the country with us & that we had permission to make medical decisions for her, signed and notarized by her mother. The CM checking us in was not pleased with the letter, and for a while we frightened we were not going to be allowed to board. They finally decided it was acceptable. When we go next year, we are bringing our grandaughter again, as well as a family friend who is a minor (age 17) as well. I would like to make certain we have just what they are looking for in a permission slip. Any guidance, please?
Thanks, Donna

 

[Verandah Man]

I'm interested in this answer as well since we will be bringing our DD's friend 14, on our cruise next summer.

 

[vgaskin]

I had my oldest daughter with me on our cruise. Our TA told us to get her dad to write a letter and get it notarized that we had his permission to take her out of the country. He said the divorce papers saying I had custody wouldn't hurt either. We didn't need either but she was mine and that might have been why.

We are taking her friend this time and plan on getting her mother to sign the form in the Disney documents and get it notarized as well as a letter stating for the whole trip notarized. I really hope this is enough. Maybe you just got a unknowledgeable CM.

 

[dianthus]

We are bringing my DD's friend~ age 12 with us on the 11/8 cruise coming up. She has traveled with us before, but not on DCL.

I called DCL about their requirements & they told me the form in the doc package, notarized was sufficient & all that was necessary, besides proof of identity.

I plan on obtaining a signed and notarized permission form from her parents as well, that we've used in the past. It gives her permission to travel with us, grants us permission to make emergency medical decisions and any other welfare related decisions on her behalf while she is traveling with us and in our care. I will have her passport and a photocopy of her medical insurance card.

I would rather be over prepared than have a problem boarding...

~ Linda

 

[jgalecpa]

I have a generic medical power of attorney my brother (a Lawyer) wrote for use here in MD.

I would be willing to post that or PM anyone who wants it (I have done this before).

It's a bit long, so if you PM me your email, I will send it as a word attachement.

Jim

 

[AnnMorin]

I asked him and he said you need to make sure BOTH parents sign it (infront of a notery) if one of the parents is deceased that should be stated in the letter in a fashion that says the undersigned being the SOLE gardian of said minor gives permission etc...

 

[dianthus]

Thanks Jim and Ann!

I appreciate the feedback!

I had our Attorney draw the form up last year when she came to WDW with us for a week. I have each parent sign in front of a notary, so there is no question regarding consent.

I'd rather be prepared and not need it!

Thanks!

~ Linda

 

[Bacrd]

Thank you for this thread as we are taking our 2 grandchildren in a couple weeks. I will strongly agree with AnnMorin about both parents signing. Last year I took my GD to Canada and only had a non-notarized letter from her mother. Customs was NOT happy. They drilled me for several minutes...acting like I was leaving the country to take her to a waiting father!! I guess in this day and age...any scenario is possible!

Question...will we need to take these letters and their BCert into ports with us or can we put their paperwork away once we sail?

 

[dianthus]

I plan to keep our letter with us at all times while off the ship. DCL collects their form at check in.

 

[Bacrd]

Ann...just one more question for your husband if you don't mind..
The notary who signed our documents only used a rubber stamp with her name and expiration date (she signed..of course), but since we are leaving the country, should I take these back to her and ask for a "raised seal"? Thank.

 

[AnnMorin]

Now please note he is only licensed to practice law in MA. so things may be different in other states.. BUT in MA. a document is not considered legally noterized without the notery's raised seal impression on it.
He would also recommend having two letters made up and for you to keep them seperately (ie: one on your person and one in the safe) it is as simple as photocopying the first one and asking the notery to noterize both (she should not charge an extra fee to do this) that way if one became lost you have the other to fall back on.

 

[Kaelynsmom]

I just started thinking about the possible problems my parents may encounter. They are taking my neice, their granddaughter on our Nov 8th cruise. My sister has sole custody of my neice, there are no visitations allowed at all. We all live in Mass and her dad lives in Florida. Will my sister be allowed to sign this form by herself?

If not, this could spell trouble since she doesn't want the "dad" to know that my neice will be in Florida on a certain date within driving distance of where he lives. She's worried that he will show up and cause a scene even though he has no rights to this child.

What do you think?

 

[jgalecpa]

To important a question to be answered by non-professionals.

Suggestions:

1. Call DCL. Ask for their advice. If they say it is ok, Get the name of the person who says so.

2. Call an Atty.

You Don't want any unpleasant surprises!

Jim

 

[markey]

We have taken our grandchildren on 4 DCL vacations. Before this year I had my daughter give us a letter giving us permission to take the kids and for medical attention if necessary. I was never asked to see the letter and had no problems. This year since there is a form in the docs I had her complete and turned in when we boarded. The women looked at it and said to keep it with us, again no problem and no one after that asked for the form. Maybe it all depends on who you have at the counter. Also our grandchildrens last names are different then ours since they are our daughters.

 

[vgaskin]

I asked my TA and he said only 1 parent needed to sign and the Disney form only has a place for 1 signature. He said he will call and ask again today from Disney and I will let you know what they say.

 

[denise5374]

Just a little input, my oarents took my daughter to Niagara Fall, Canada and needed a signed notarized letter, signed by me and my Husband. This information was according to a TA. However when they crosssed the border, the custom agent asked who was in the car and my dad said my granddaughter the Customs said Do you have permission to have them and take them to Canada and my dad said yes, I have a signed letter from the parents the customs agents OK but never asked for the letter.

I would take it just in case. My thought is to be overly prepared.

 

[eek40]

I am taking my nephew on the dcl and I was also told by my travel agent that the one parent signing and notarizing the documents was all that was required. I sure hope so, because finding his Dad is near impossible!

Aimee

 

[AnnMorin]

I would consult a professional that has practical working knowledge of this. As I "disclaimed" before my dh is licensed to practice in MA. and the laws in other states/contries might be different. I would not risk taking any chances, start with a call to DCL get the name of who advised you and go from there.

 

[mkauffman]

Originally posted by markey
This year since there is a form in the docs I had her complete and turned in when we boarded.

Is there a new form in the docs now? What does it say? I ask because I'll have my oldest son (different last name) and his dad won't be along (thankfully). He lives with me. I'm not going to have to get his dad to sign anything, am I **as she cringes**? We didn't need anything last year when we cruised.

Michelle

 

[vgaskin]

My travel agent just called Disney and they say all my dd's friend needs is the form or letter signed by one parent and notarized. I am printing the email just in case but the Disney form only allows room for one parent anyway.

As for taking your child with a different last name. We did this in april and my TA (different one than now) told me I needed a letter signed by her dad and notarized that I could take her out of the country. He also said a copy of the divorce papers showing I had full custody would be nice too. No one ever looked at either one since I was her mother. It doesn't hurt but I am told it is not necissary.