Single parents/relatives travelling to US with a child without BOTH parents

[2Tiggies]

My ex DH is very good at doing the recommended notarised letter for US immigrations, basically consenting to the fact that I am out of the country with DD without him. I have never been asked for this letter. I always take a copy of my divorce decree which granted me full custody with no restrictions.

This year ex DH is working abroad on a longer than usual contract. I have been unable to connect with him at all. I actually emailed him the standard letter to print out and have notarised several months ago and reminded him again, having forwarded a further copy to him about a month ago.

I still have three months (almost) before we go, but it sounds like he could be away until at least that stage.

I am just wondering if it came to that and if I just took my decree with me, whether that would suffice. Grrrr, I don't really like to do that if I can avoid it. I have spent a couple of weeks scouring the CPB site and reading through all the FAQs but can't really find anything specific in this instance. Anyone with a bit of insight or who could guide me to somewhere for clarification? It will be deeply appreciated.

 

[tracipierce]

I'm a single parent and have been to WDW 3 times and never been questioned or asked anything about my ex at immigration, so I wouldn't worry!

 

[wayneg]

We took DS's school friend in 2008, age 13 (14 while we were there)
I looked into any documantation we needed and you don't have to have any.
It is possible you are asked additional questions if you don't have a notorized letter but its not essential you have one.

I have just had a quick read and they have updated the wording this month so have a read yourself https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/268/kw/child

Our problem was more for emergencies, we were told without a letter a hospital could be reluctent to treat a minor without parents present, that won't be a problem for you, just immigration.
We were also originally told by Disney cruiseline we would need a noterized letter, UK solicitor told us it would be a waste of money so I eventually spoke to a supervisor at DCL who agreed a signed letter (not noterized) would be adequate with his parents passport for proof of their ID. When we got to the port we were never asked for it.

I made this form I uploaded to my website, thats all we took with his parents passport.

 

[lin85prest]

As a foster carer we often take children who we are not legally responsible for and have never been asked for any letter but we always do have a letter from SW to say we have permission to take th chid out of the country. I would think if you have custody then you will have no problems

 

[2Tiggies]

Thanks for all the info. Thank you for your link too, Wayne.

Obviously I will keep trying to contact my ex, but at least now I don't have the same stress factor after reading this. I have always taken the letter as a matter of course and since I never had a problem obtaining this in the past, it was never an issue.

Going to check out Wayne's form now.

 

[VailaTigger]

I was there in April with DF, and his two DS's.

When the immigration officer saw our passports, obviously my surname is different to the other 3, and asked who's kids they were. DF answered that they were his from a previous marriage. The immigration officer then asked who had legal custody, which is Mummy, and before he could say any more I had produced the two notarised letters we'd had done before we went.

He was well pleased that we had them, said they were more than adequate, then advised us that next time - we could have one letter which covers both DS's (don't need one each) and as long as it is signed by Mummy, dated and witnessed, then we don't need to get it notarised. We could have a word doc set up, and just change the dates and accommodation and flight details each time, print it out, and get it signed.

So... from the horse's mouth so to speak, you shouldn't need it notarised, just signed and witnessed.

Hope that helps a bit!

 

[wilma-bride]

My daughters from my first marriage both have different surnames to me. We have now been to WDW three times as a family and never have they (or I) been asked whose children they are or for any other kind of documentation. Is your child old enough to answer any questions if asked? If so, I would say that if your child can confirm that you are his parent, there is no need for anything signed.

 

[2Tiggies]

So... from the horse's mouth so to speak, you shouldn't need it notarised, just signed and witnessed.

Hope that helps a bit!

Thanks, yes it does as I have not yet heard of anyone being asked for it. I suppose it depends who you speak to when you get to security. Getting it notarised for DH is no sweat. My challenge is getting hold of him because he will just forget without some chasing up.

Is your child old enough to answer any questions if asked? If so, I would say that if your child can confirm that you are his parent, there is no need for anything signed.

Yes, she is 8 years old. That actually helps somewhat because it's pretty hard for a child that age to lie convincingly about who their parents are

 

[Rohais]

I took my 13 year old brother with me last time, and there was no issue whatsoever. No questions asked, nothing

We went with our Nan and my DF but when it came to immigration, we all split up into surnames...so probably why there wasn't any questions

 

[wideeyes]

I travel a lot with my daughter who has a different surname, and they could ask for evidence however mostly they just ask questions.
When they have her passport they will ask me her date of birth and full name and they often ask my daughter "Are you (her name), is this your mummy" in a friendly voice. I have had that happen at most airports.

I was asked for evidence that my daughter was mine once out of three trips at MCO airport, I didn't have any and they let us in but said to always carry something.

I was also questioned at CDG airport at paris, they wouldn't check me into my flight untill the manager had okayed it.


I think they are more likely to ask with younger children.

 

[2Tiggies]

I
I think they are more likely to ask with younger children.

Makes sense. How old is your daughter?

 

[wideeyes]

She is 8 now, I have been traveling with her since she was 4 without her Dad.

 

[VailaTigger]

I guess they just like to make sure that the legal custodians have knowledge of the trip, that you have their permission, and that you're not trying to run away with the kids!

I'd rather have all the documents, after all, it doesn't take much to print them out and get someone to sign them.

 

[2Tiggies]

She is 8 now, I have been traveling with her since she was 4 without her Dad.

She's the same age as my DD then. I have been travelling with her solo since a couple of months (was still married then, but DH travelled abroad a lot for work so plenty trips).

I am still going to try get the letter. Failing that, I will simply have a copy of my decree notarised, which I can do at work, and keep that with me for peace of mind. Thanks for that.

 

[wideeyes]

When we were asked for the evidence in Orlando, the immigration officer said to bring a divorce decree in future so I think you will be fine with that.

I don't have one as the reason my daughter has a different name is because I am not married to her Dad.

 

[2Tiggies]

I don't have one as the reason my daughter has a different name is because I am not married to her Dad.

You would think they would give an alternative option for people who weren't married - it's not like it's unheard of these days Do you have a Court Order? That shoud do fine.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

I did not even think of anything like this.

My sister is coming with us, with niece and nephew. We normally all go to cyprus each year, euro disney etc and have never been asked any questions.

There is no way she can get a letter signed by her ex .... long story.

The children have the same surname as her, she has full custody, so she does not have to take anything with her???

 

[2Tiggies]

I did not even think of anything like this.

My sister is coming with us, with niece and nephew. We normally all go to cyprus each year, euro disney etc and have never been asked any questions.

There is no way she can get a letter signed by her ex .... long story.

The children have the same surname as her, she has full custody, so she does not have to take anything with her???

If you look at an earlier post on the first page by Wayne, he posted a link to the updated page on the CBP site. They tell you to have a letter or divorce decree awarding sole custody, etc. If your sister has sole custody, even if she wasn't married, she must have a court order awarding this. If she takes the Court Order into a solicitor (some Council offices/Police Stations will even do this for free) then she can have a copy notarised. But if she can't, then even just a copy of the judgment will be better than nothing to put your mind at rest. However, as a PP pointed out, it may be less of an issue when the child is old enough to communicate effectively. Your niece isn't a little one is she?

I should add that this was my little panic due to the fact that I have always had the letter. Some people on here have never needed it and feel it is not necessary.