Travelling alone with children

[foxxxy83]

Hey! Am new to this site so apologies if I don't understand the abbreviations... I'm travelling alone to Disney with my 6 yr old son who I've had sole custody for since Feb '09. Visa Waiver and US Border & Customs sites say if travelling alone with a child, the parent needs to prove they have the father's permission due to the high amount of child abductions in US. I have NO idea how to contact my ex and we haven't been to court over my son. He just left. We never married so I don't have divorce papers or anything. Anyone else been in this situation? Can only think of taking a letter from our GP along with my son's passport. I have contacted the hotel we are staying at and the US Embassy in London and neither have heard of such a rule but I am SO scared of getting there and being refused entry

 

[2Tiggies]

Hi and welcome

With entry into the USA it's a recommendation but not a rule. My ex left when DD was a baby and we were married which can pose its own problems. I did get a letter from him eventually, after about 9 months of desperately trying. I was asked at Orlando International if I had one and I reached for my bag to get it and the customs official gestured to me not to worry and wished us a great stay in the USA and that was it.

I have traveled alone with DD into the USA every year since 2008 and not once have I ever been asked for anything. If you are concerned, to put your mind at rest, you can try calling the US Embassy in the UK for some information. My understanding from their website however is that the ones who they are checking more closely are those where one parent is a US citizen and the other is not because of the risk of child 'kidnapping' in custody battles.

 

[foxxxy83]

Phew, that's GREAT! Thanks SO much! We're going in 10 weeks and I've spent the best part of ten grand on it as my son is Disney mad.. haven't told him yet! Booked an airport hotel and going to tell him on morn of hol where we actually goin! CAN'T WAIT!! He was diagnosed with ASD 6 mths ago and I figure if I'm goin to make his dream come true, am doin' it in style! Limo transfers, 5* hotel, VIP EVERYTHIN! Even contacted the hotel and explained I NEED a room with a bath as opposed to shower and they said they'll decorate room and give us loads of free goodies! Last thing I need is Borders & Customs turning us round at the gate!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!

 

[wayneg]

Hi Welcome to DISboards

As Lee says its a recommendation, not a rule.
We spent hours sorting out the facts when we took our Sons school friend in 2008 aged 13.
His parents actually went to see a solicitor who provides notorized letters. He told them for the USA they were wasting his time and their money. There was no legal document for children travelling between the countries.
I was more concered about taking him on a Disney cruise, their T&Cs said children without parents had to have a notorized letter of consent, after numerous calls to Disney cruiseline I eventually got thru to a supervisor you accepted that was for US travellers only, we would not need it. Her concern then was for medical authority, she advised us to have a signed letter of consent and take one of his parents passport to confirm signature. I wrote this document which his parents filled in and signed http://homepage.ntlworld.com/asters/parental_consent_form.htm
As he is your own Son you won't require any of this.

End of the day no-one battered an eyelid from checking in on the plane, immigration in the US, boarding the Disney ship, checking in to come home and UK passport control, not a word was said.

I have heard of some being questioned at US immigration but if you have the legal right to take him you should have no problems.

 

[Brave5]

I'm American and my husband is British and I travel to US every year (with out husband who joins us later in the stay) and I've only been asked once to produce a letter from my husband to say it is ok for me to travel alone with the boys. I didn't even know I needed one until about 3 years ago when I only had one of the boys with me - but even then (without letter) everything was fine and we passed through with no problems.

 

[foxxxy83]

Wow, thanks everyone! It's SUCH a relief to know!! My son has his dad's surname so I think I'll take his birth certificate and a GP letter to air on the side of caution but thank you SO SO much for all your help!

 

[foxxxy83]

Oh and thanks Deno! I try and be a fab mum.. he's had SO much to put up with already in his life that he deserves it.. DEFINITELY goin to enjoy it! Will tell all when I get back!

 

[flortlebap]

Just to echo the above, I have taken my daughter (who has her fathers surname) with no issue and he also took her a few months later with no issue (both into WDW, lucky girl! Lol).

We did give each other letters just in case but were never asked for anything at all. Have fun!

 

[tinks_1989]

We will be out there at the same time 9 weeks for us x

 

[MrRomance]

Firstly, welcome to the DISboards.

I would echo what the previous posters have said. My DW and I adopted 2 children who were biological siblings. Before the adoption was finalized in court (which took longer than anticipated due to their birth parents being problematic and uncooperative) we took them to WDW to celebrate the first anniversary of their coming to our custody. The kids had passports in their birth surnames, we had passports in our surname. To add to the complication, my wife is American and has a US passport, I am British and have a UK passport!

The immigration officer asked us about this, and we simply explained the situation. We had a letter from the social worker (just as a precaution) but it wasn't needed. They welcomed us in and told us to enjoy our stay and anniversary celebration.

It is best to be cautious and take some evidence with you but it's very unlikely you'll need it.

Have a great time!

 

[foxxxy83]

Thanks to EVERYONE who's replied to my post! I was REALLY worried about it but now you've all managed to put my mind at rest so I can enjoy putting the final touches together... hope you all enjoy your hols and anyone at MNSSHP 10th Oct, see you there! We're goin as Superheroes!