Travelling with just one child ?

[Bonnie40]

Hey!

I'm trying to plan a quick trip down to WDW in late June/early July to visit my soon-to-be CM daughter!

Here's my question...my BIL, who is a pilot for Air Canada, said that if I decide to bring along my 14 year old son I will need to get a letter from my lawyer stating that he's allowed to travel with me. I understand the circumstance if I was a divorced parent, but we are an intact family, with just the two of us choosing to travel down for a few days.

Does anyone have any experience with this kind of situation? I'd love to find out what the deal is!

Thanks!

 

[princess aurora]

My understanding is you don't need a letter from a lawyer but a letter from your husband. Yes in these times you need to have "permission" from your spouse to take your child out of the country.

I've only heard this of course and do not have any first hand experience. Why not check out info from the passport office. Visit them online as they will have traveling tips/FAQs.

 

[Tinkerjane]

I separated from my son's Father when he was 2 (he is now 14) and we went to a Notary Public when he was 4 to sign a "blanket" (we maintain a wondeful relationship) form to state I was free to take him out of country. Although I am "remarried" (common law)I have never been asked for it once and we have been out of country several times.
Best to be safe just in case they ask.

 

[Charleyann]

I too am a one child family. I had to get a letter from lawyer, notary or father of which I haven't seen since my child was a month old. I chose the lawyer because we didn't have a custody agreement....he left when my child was diagnosed. Said he couldn't handle the stress of raising a sick child! He does pay support but that is all. My lawyer gave me a letter....

I was never asked for it at the boarder, in fact I live near the Maine boarder in New Brunswick and frequent the states often. I went to Disney at Christmas and first week of January this week. There doesn't seem to be much enforcement is regard to this, but I guess you need one just in case!

Charley

 

[Think I'm Tink]

I recommend having the letter! I have first-hand experience from US Customs in Winnipeg's airport. I decided to take my (then) 17 year old son to Orlando, leaving DH & our DD behind. I got a letter signed by both him and a lawyer (friend of ours) giving me permission. I was not asked to produce the letter at departure on that trip. Six months later it was our 16 yo DD's turn to come with me to Orlando, and despite not needing it last time, I still got a letter signed by DH and a lawyer. GOOD thing! I was asked by a very grumpy US Customs officer to produce it. I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't had it, because she was extremely grumpy and I honestly have visions of not being permitted to cross if I hadn't been able to produce written permission.

This is the form letter I used and just filled in the blanks: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/before/consent_letter-en.asp

 

[ferris198]

Last January after being laid off, I decided last minute to take my DS to Disney. My husband was unable to get the time off work, so it was just the two of us.
It was the travel agent who mentioned that I needed a letter to take my son away with me. Although there is no mention of whether or not it needs to be notarized, I decided to have it signed. It was $25.00 at my lawyers office and they told me exactly what to say. At the airport, it wasn't even requested but I was glad I had it as a friend of mine who travelled a couple of months after me had hers scurtinized.
ALso my lawyer mentioned to add a day at the end in case of any problems.

 

[erin1998]

Hi Bonnie40,
I am a single mother and traveled quite frequently to the States with my son. I have never been told to get a letter from a lawyer or from my ex, but I do have a court order indicating that I have custody. I always bring it with me when my son and I travel, just in case. I have never been asked for it before until our last trip in December. I was asked at Pearson airport in Toronto leaving for Orlando (by a very nice customs agent) for a letter from my son's dad. I showed him the court order, which he read, then asked my son some questions (he is 7 years old) and then let us through. On our trip home, we were again asked at Pearson (by a not so very nice customs agent) for a letter from my son's dad. I told him I didn't have one but showed him the court order. He huffed and puffed as he read it but it was sufficient. We have booked a disney cruise for next year and was told by my TA that Canada Customs are asking tougher questions and want more paperwork with one parent travelling with children. Even though I have a court order stating that I have custody and can leave the country for vacation, my TA tells me that I am still required to get a letter from my lawyer stating that I have custody. It doesn't make sense to me (a court order signed by a Justice isn't good enough? but a letter from my lawyer is?).
I would get something in writing, just in case. They may or may not ask for it, but it would be better to be safe than sorry.
Erin

 

[Boncho]

My hubby is not a Disney nut like my son and I. When we go to Disney it is my sister that goes with us. My travel agent (who is also a friend of mine) gave me a form to fill out with all the pertinent travel information. Hubby had to sign it and take it and get it notorized. It is something you have to have if asked for it. You may not be asked for it but if you are you must be able to produce it proving to the authorities that the childs other parent has given permission. The form we use (I'm sure any travel agent could give you one) doesn't have to be signed by a lawyer, we just take it to a notary public.

 

[Chester's Mum]

I travelled to The World in January with my two children, go to www.voyage.gc.ca/consular then Travelling with Children. They have an example of a parental consent letter in Related Links for you to copy. Nowhere does it say it has to be notorized. I got the letter and had it signed by dh and witnessed by my neighbour. I was never asked to produce the letter, maybe because my kids were 11/17 at the time. I guess it's tough to kidnap kids that are bigger than you are. If you have smaller children they might be more careful. You should get the letter as a precaution.

 

[momandseandodisney]

I am a VERY SINGLE mother of a 7 year old boy, on the birth cert. no father is listed.

When I travel, I carry my sons passport, his long form birth cert (where it shows no father listed) and I have a lawyer paper, stating the fact, that I am single mother etc.

I have been out of the country with my son over 40 times (biz trips - vacations etc.)

I have been asked 1 time for paper work, they looked it over and 2 secs, and said have a good vacation!

 

[momandseandodisney]

my mother is a lawyer (biz law) and neither her or I can understand why a lawyer would want to sign their name to something as touchy as custody can be, I cant see how it woudl be worth the 25$ for them