Problems crossing border with children only and no spouse?

[edit1]

Hi, I heard some time ago that when travelling from Canada to the States with my children but without my husband requires a notarized letter from my husband granting permission. Has anyone done this before and is a notarized letter required, or will a regular non-notarized letter do? Thanks in advance for any info you can provide!

I might plan a short DL trip next year with just the kids but was wondering if I'd need to spend the extra $ to see a notary.

 

[Eveningsong]

I typed my own and had it signed by the Commissioner of Oaths at the City Hall - $15.00.

 

[minniesnana]

I was told by my friend who is a family lawyer that I needed one. Had not heard of it before. Good thing I had one because I was asked for it and it was entered into the computer along with our flight numbers. I also know someone else who's police officer ex-husband called her from the airport frantically requiring her to run down and give her permission allowing him to take their son to Disney. She kept saying "but he's a police officer" like a police officer would never kidnap his kid????? My next thought was if the man is a police officer he should have known he would need a letter of permission from his child's mother!!!!

 

[blizzard]

You don't need a notarized letter to take the kids to the US. (You will need a notarized letter for Mexico and some other countries) You should carry a letter though. There is a sample letter on the Canadian Passport site here http://www.ppt.gc.ca/support/faq.aspx?lang=eng&id=1302. Their sample letter has always been satisfactory when I have gone to the US without DH.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Hockeychic]

I always get one. I have never been asked for it but I would rather pay the few bucks and have it then get turned around at the boarder and miss my flight etc.

 

[amw]

You don't need a notarized letter to take the kids to the US. (You will need a notarized letter for Mexico and some other countries) You should carry a letter though. There is a sample letter on the Canadian Passport site here http://www.ppt.gc.ca/support/faq.aspx?lang=eng&id=1302. Their sample letter has always been satisfactory when I have gone to the US without DH.

Enjoy your trip!

Ditto. I've only ever used a "regular" letter that is signed by my DH and has his contact number. I've never been asked for it while crossing by car, but I know they're more strict about it for travel flight.

My DH works in the US ... there's no way I would pay to have a notary note for each time Mommy wants to go shopping in Buffalo

 

[disneyfan2]

i always bring a notorized letter, but DH works with a lawyer so he does it for free. If you are not bringing a notorized letter, i would bring a photocopy of his DL just so they have a signature to compare. Anyone would be able to write a letter, and in case they do question it, then you have something to fall back on.
I never have a letter for crossing over but always for flying.

 

[braydensmom]

As a pp responded the letters don't need to be notorized... the letter has to have the fathers name, address and phone number on it, in case they do want to follow up. I think it would be ridiculous to have to get a lawyer to notorize the letter...how many people go over the border at the spur of the moment????

 

[mommylo]

I have traveled with one or both of my kids with my husband and I always have an affidavit signed by my husband notarized. I have always been asked to show the letters whether it was flying from Pearson or going through the border to Buffalo. Better safe than sorry.

 

[dhluvsDisney]

I always have one. Have been asked many a time going in and returning. I have a letter though notarized by a lawyer, that gives me permission that does not state any dates. We go frequently to the U.S. shopping, so it has come in handy many a time.

 

[snickerboo]

Never had a letter and never been asked for one. Have taken my kids over the border on my own at least 4 times and used all different border crossings, too. And, my legal name is my maiden name so it's different than my kids. They've never cared.

 

[I Run Long]

Never had a letter and never been asked for one. Have taken my kids over the border on my own at least 4 times and used all different border crossings, too. And, my legal name is my maiden name so it's different than my kids. They've never cared.

Ditto for me too. My husband and I have different last names (well I have never actually done that whole marriage thing) and we have gone too many times to count by air, land and sea (ferry) - not once have I or he ever been asked. I would never think to do it either. I guess if you're really worried, it can't do any harm to have it.

 

[Nicki828]

I just had a lawyer that I know notorize it - he didn't charge me.

 

[leaffan]

We only ever used a regular letter but last year flying with daughter and grandson to Miami for a cruise we were advised that if the letter was not notarized we could be stopped. We did get it done and were asked at the airport and he made sure it was notarized. We haven't had problems driving across with a regular letter but I wouldn't go to the airport again without it.

 

[edit1]

I noticed that the sample letter on the official passport site that blizzard referred me to does want a witness but it does not specify that the witness has to be a lawyer or notary. It's odd then that some of the posters on this thread have been asked for a notarized letter.

It's too bad that it isn't consistent among the border crossings or airports. It sounds like maybe it could even depend on the mood of the person you happen to be dealing with!

 

[tigger2on]

even for international travel as I have traveled from Toronto to London England last dec. with my 11 month old and almost 3 yr old. I just wrote the note myself and had my hubby sign it along with contact numbers. Did not have an issue. I also travel with my 12 yr old from another realtionship to Disney every year and we also just use a reg. note

 

[squirrel]

I had an offical notorized letter the first time I took my niece to DL. I don't remember if I showed it on the way down, but I remember them questioning me as to why I was taking her and not her mother when I was returning back to Canada.

This year my sister wrote her own letter and had the notery sign/stamp it. I had her passport and that is all I ended up showing at the boarder as this time we flew out of the US. I was never asked anything about why I had her or if I had a letter from her parents.

 

[tigger & mickey]

I always have a letter but it is not notarized just witnessed. That being said I have never been asked for the letter on either trip, but still would not go without it.

 

[angiengary]

I don't know if this will help but I'm a Canadian and live in the US. Whenever we go back to Canada for a holiday (my son and I without my husband) I have to have a letter signed from him saying its okay to take out son across the border. We always put the dates I will be going and returning, our address, our son's full name, flight numbers, my husbands info including cell number - home number and work number for them to contact him and we get it notarized. We haven't had a problem since we started doing this and it will save you time at the border.

and remember

They are doing this to protect the child(ren) so we should all be happy about that

 

[edit1]

I just took a closer look at the sample letter on the passport website, and noticed this:

Note: It is strongly recommended that children travelling alone or with one parent carry a consent letter for each and every trip abroad. Although anyone can witness/sign these letters, it is advisable to have the consent letter certified, stamped or sealed by an official who has the authority to administer an oath or solemn declaration (i.e., a commissioner for oaths, notary public, lawyer, etc.) so that the validity of the letter will not be questioned.

So I guess it really does depend on the person you happen to be dealing with, whether in their judgement they think there might be any cause for concern.