Single parent

[tinkerbells mum]

i'd be very grateful if anyone could help me out here, i'm taking my DD to WDW in 2011. I'm divorced so her dad won't be coming. i have recently been told by a friend that the USA don't like letting single parents in without the written permissin of the "absent" parent. has anyone come across this before and if so what's the best thing to do. my ex-hubby and i split up 8 years ago and he moved about 4 - 5 years ago and didn't give me a forwarding address, therefore i can't get his permission.

thanks for any help or info anyone can give me xx

 

[madmumof2]

From what I've read, they're not normally fussed. But you don't want to be 'the one' who gets asked.

Is there any way you could track him down? Or is there some sort of law that relinquishes him of his rights after so many years?

If so, take a print out of what you can find instead. Most likely you will not be asked.

I'm a single parent taking my two this year and I don't even need his permission for passports, let alone leaving the country, but I understand that's different as we were never married.

Hope you can find something! Visit your local C.A.B, see if they have any advice?

 

[tinkerbells mum]

thanks for your reply. i've taken her out of the country many times and never had a problem but like you say i don't want to get to Orlando and be "the one" to be asked. no-one i know has heard from him for years either so not sure where to start to track him down but if i did i wouldn't put it passed him to not give his permission out of spite (sorry don't mean to sound bitter!) will have a talk to CAB xx

 

[wayneg]

The rules are same for a child travelling with 1 parent as they are for someone taking someone elses child. All covered on this page
They suggest you have written permission from the other parent but as stated the U.S. does not require this documentation, its only to make it very easy if any questions are asked at Immigration, chances are that will not happen.

 

[TracyK]

I have travelled to the US 18 times as a single parent and never been asked for written permission. I think you should be fine

 

[tinkerbells mum]

The rules are same for a child travelling with 1 parent as they are for someone taking someone elses child. All covered on this page
They suggest you have written permission from the other parent but as stated the U.S. does not require this documentation, its only to make it very easy if any questions are asked at Immigration, chances are that will not happen.

thanks for the info and the link it was really helpful xx

 

[tinkerbells mum]

I have travelled to the US 18 times as a single parent and never been asked for written permission. I think you should be fine

that's really good to know, i do tend to panic a bit about things like this!! thanks for answering xx

 

[irenep]

I too have never been questioned about taking my children to the US. The only place I ever had a problem was Canada - was asked for a letter of permission there but couldn't supply one (widowed). He eventually let us in after a very stern lecture. It kind of put me off going back there.
You shouldn't have any problems

 

[tinkerbells mum]

I too have never been questioned about taking my children to the US. The only place I ever had a problem was Canada - was asked for a letter of permission there but couldn't supply one (widowed). He eventually let us in after a very stern lecture. It kind of put me off going back there.
You shouldn't have any problems

sorry to hear about your problems getting in to Canada, thanks for replying. i feel much better now knowing other people have gone there and not had any problems xx

 

[wideeyes]

I was asked for evdience that my DD was my child on our last trip at MCO, I didn't have any and the immigrations officer said to make sure I have it next time, saying "I will let you in this time however next time make sure you have documantation" so I will be taking her birth certificate this year.

 

[tinkerbells mum]

I was asked for evdience that my DD was my child on our last trip at MCO, I didn't have any and the immigrations officer said to make sure I have it next time, saying "I will let you in this time however next time make sure you have documantation" so I will be taking her birth certificate this year.

Thanks for your reply, i usually take a copy of her birth certificate with me when ever we travel we have got the same surname so i think (hope) that will make it easier

 

[Cinderella]

I have never been asked. But I haven't changed the name on my passports so I have the same name as my kids.

But I'm guessing you won't have a problem. Immigration are more concerned about making sure that you're not intending to outstay your welcome, regardless of whether you're bringing a child.

Just make sure you get a return ticket. I had a one way ticket, as I was flying back on miles last year. Even though I could prove that I had a ticket to come back, they asked me a lot of questions about what I did for a living etc, to make sure I was intending to come home.

If you wanted to be doubly cautious you could get a parental permission letter from your ex and also get it stamped by a notary, incase they ask.

 

[tinkerbells mum]

I have never been asked. But I haven't changed the name on my passports so I have the same name as my kids.

But I'm guessing you won't have a problem. Immigration are more concerned about making sure that you're not intending to outstay your welcome, regardless of whether you're bringing a child.

Just make sure you get a return ticket. I had a one way ticket, as I was flying back on miles last year. Even though I could prove that I had a ticket to come back, they asked me a lot of questions about what I did for a living etc, to make sure I was intending to come home.

If you wanted to be doubly cautious you could get a parental permission letter from your ex and also get it stamped by a notary, incase they ask.

thanks for your reply, it seems i might have been worrying over nothing!!

 

[Cinderella]

I too have never been questioned about taking my children to the US. The only place I ever had a problem was Canada - was asked for a letter of permission there but couldn't supply one (widowed). He eventually let us in after a very stern lecture. It kind of put me off going back there.
You shouldn't have any problems

How appalling. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. People like that don't care who they trample on to make themselves feel important.

 

[rotothread]

I have travelled to the US 18 times as a single parent and never been asked for written permission. I think you should be fine

Any tips?