Single parent travel

[Mommyrin]

I am traveling on our cruise without my husband. Is there a form I need him to fill out and get notarized giving me permission to take them out of the country?

Thanks!

 

[socababy]

I have never been asked for any letter except from customs when we flew into Vancouver. But I always travel with my Dh's death certificate just in case. I would get a notarized letter just in case.

 

[pouncingpluto]

I have never been asked for any letter except from customs when we flew into Vancouver. But I always travel with my Dh's death certificate just in case. I would get a notarized letter just in case.

Interesting. I'm traveling this fall with a friend whose husband just passed away. I'll suggest carrying the death certificate with her. Any other advice?

 

[luv2sleep]

I'm always solo with my son and no one has ever asked me anything. My son has his own passport though so maybe that's why?

 

[JohnDS]

I am traveling on our cruise without my husband. Is there a form I need him to fill out and get notarized giving me permission to take them out of the country?

Thanks!

I've heard that most don't get bothered on cruises, but I have heard of people stopped at the Canadian border for this. My thought is that it isn't hard to write something up, have it signed and take it with just in case. Any bank should have a notary available for a buck or two if they even charge anything.

 

[DisneYE]

I'm always solo with my son and no one has ever asked me anything. My son has his own passport though so maybe that's why?

thats interesting...in Canada you always (I think, not in that situation) get asked for a death certificate if spouse passed away, or some kind of authorization from the other parent...
Maybe in the US is different? I'm interested to know...

What if parents are separated/divorced and one of them doesn't give consent to the child to travel with the other parent?

It's odd that you don't get asked...in Canada at least in theory they are supposed to ask for a document..

 

[luv2sleep]

thats interesting...in Canada you always (I think, not in that situation) get asked for a death certificate if spouse passed away, or some kind of authorization from the other parent... Maybe in the US is different? I'm interested to know... What if parents are separated/divorced and one of them doesn't give consent to the child to travel with the other parent? It's odd that you don't get asked...in Canada at least in theory they are supposed to ask for a document..

Yeah I don't know why I'm not. We've done 3 cruises now. I don't get asked anywhere. And he's adopted and doesn't really look like he either. He's also autistic and always refuses to talk to the customs agents. I'm always baffled too!

 

[Bjornda]

I travel alone with my girls quite often. I ALWAYS carry a letter from their dads. I have been asked for it upon occasion, and sometimes not asked at all. I however think that one piece of paper (two in my case) just makes the traveling far less stressful. I would hate to need it and not have it. As a note, I am Canadian, and it is "highly recommended" by our border crossing agency to have. Hope this helps

 

[DisneYE]

I travel alone with my girls quite often. I ALWAYS carry a letter from their dads. I have been asked for it upon occasion, and sometimes not asked at all. I however think that one piece of paper (two in my case) just makes the traveling far less stressful. I would hate to need it and not have it. As a note, I am Canadian, and it is "highly recommended" by our border crossing agency to have. Hope this helps

May i ask you about this...are these simple letters from the dads with a signature saying xyz are allowed to go as per agreement with you or they have to be 'notarized' or legalized somehow...I'm curious as to how these matters are treated by border people...tia..

 

[JohnDS]

May i ask you about this...are these simple letters from the dads with a signature saying xyz are allowed to go as per agreement with you or they have to be 'notarized' or legalized somehow...I'm curious as to how these matters are treated by border people...tia..

Here is a link to the Customs and Border patrol website with their position on the subject.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/268

Due to the increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and as possible victims of child pornography, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, the adult have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, friends, or in groups*, a note signed by both parents) stating "I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter/group. He/She/They has/have my permission to do so." See our Q&A parental consent.

CBP also suggests that this note be notarized.

 

[castlegazer]

Most likely DCL will not say anything as long as you ahve the required travel documentation for them. I travelled without any letter on DCL with just my kids.

But that being said, it is a simple letter you can draw up and get notorized.

 

[jetskigrl]

I was not asked for one when I took my kids on our B2B Dream cruises without DH. No one batted an eye.

Even more interesting was that no one asked for the form when we took DD's BFF with us on the Fantasy last year.

Both times we had notarized letters with us, just in case.

And I know for sure I will have the letter with us again this August when I'm taking the kids on our cruise to Alaska without DH.

I'm in the better safe than sorry camp, even though in past experience we haven't needed it. But I do know that we will most likely need it for Canada.

 

[DisneYE]

Here is a link to the Customs and Border patrol website with their position on the subject.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/268

Very nice link...thank you...

 

[Bjornda]

May i ask you about this...are these simple letters from the dads with a signature saying xyz are allowed to go as per agreement with you or they have to be 'notarized' or legalized somehow...I'm curious as to how these matters are treated by border people...tia..

Just a piece of paper with dad's signature stating he gives permission. I usually include where and when as well. I've never had anything notarized or even witnessed actually.

 

[Mommyrin]

I'm thinking I'd rather be safe than sorry. Is there a form available? If not what type of info have you put on there. I'm not good with the legal mumbo jumbo. Does the father basically state that he is aware and gives me (using my name) permission for the kids (using their names) to go where ever you are going and length of time?

Am I missing anything? Any other tips for single mom's?

28 days until our first cruise!!!! So excited!!

Thank you!

 

[JohnDS]

I'm thinking I'd rather be safe than sorry. Is there a form available? If not what type of info have you put on there. I'm not good with the legal mumbo jumbo. Does the father basically state that he is aware and gives me (using my name) permission for the kids (using their names) to go where ever you are going and length of time?

Am I missing anything? Any other tips for single mom's?

28 days until our first cruise!!!! So excited!!

Thank you!

In the link above they say they don't have a form letter but they give the following suggestion.

"I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter/group. He/She/They has/have my permission to do so.

They also suggest it be then Notarized.

 

[Bjornda]

I'm thinking I'd rather be safe than sorry. Is there a form available? If not what type of info have you put on there. I'm not good with the legal mumbo jumbo. Does the father basically state that he is aware and gives me (using my name) permission for the kids (using their names) to go where ever you are going and length of time? Am I missing anything? Any other tips for single mom's? 28 days until our first cruise!!!! So excited!! Thank you!

What I have done is written something similar to this:

I, (father's name), give permission to (mother's name) to take our son/daughter (name(s)) to (destination) from (date) to (date).

Then signed by the father. I also include contact info for dad just in case. Sometimes I would include the purpose. For the cruise I wrote to take our daughter on a cruise leaving from _____ on (date) returning (date).

Something like that. Hope that is helpful!!!

 

[Mommyrin]

Thank you all for being so helpful!

 

[ocspartan]

Sister in Law in is this same situation, Question, has anyone on DCL been asked for anything when leaving or entering the US???

 

[Spunkyminky]

Whenever I travel out of the country, I carry a notarized letter, signed by my exhusband.
This was recommended by my lawyer. I remarried so my son and I now have different last names.
I've traveled to/from Canada often since my current husband is a Canadian, I've been harassed by immigration a few times for no reason. I have heard that Canadian and Mexican immigration agents are a lot more strict because child abduction is more common.
When I traveled to Japan, there was no issue.
I carry notarized letter, divorce papers which states that I have physical custody of my son, both of our birth certificates (which has my original name on my son's) and my new marriage license. I know it's ridiculous but some agents ask lots of personal questions sometimes (which is none of their business) but I've had to pull out everything to prove that I wasn't abducting my child.
I wouldn't offer all the documents if not asked but it's safer to be prepared.