What documents needed to cross boarder with only 1 parent?

[neonurse]

I am travelling with 2 ds's without dh (working) for a quick trip to disney. We are flying out of buffalo and I didn't know if I needed any documentation from my dh saying that I can take the kids out of the country. I have gone shopping in NF, NY with my boys with no problems.

What do you think?

 

[Catrinabeach]

To be on the safe side I would bring a letter. I've never been questioned either when I cross but you don't want it to to be this one time that you have a flight to catch that they require it. It totally depends on the custom's agent what they ask for.

I bring their passports, and a letter for my DD, and for my son's from a previous marriage I bring my custody papers.

 

[michelle1]

My Dh has travelled numerous times to the states with just our Ds for hockey via car and plane and I have flown with just our Dd and we have never been asked for any type of letter. The kids have their own passport if that makes a difference...besides, anyone could write a letter and the folks at the border would have no way of knowing if my spouse wrote it or not.

 

[minniemomof3]

I cross the border to go shopping with my daughters often and have never been questioned, although they are teens so not sure if that makes a difference.

However, if you are going on a trip, you don't want to chance it. What you need is a notorized letter or consent to travel document. You can google notary public to find one in you area. I used the services of a notary public in Mississauga and was charged $50 for a 3 page document, so it's not very expensive. Some locations are walk in and don't require an appointment.

Here are a few links to notary sites in Ontario...

http://instantnotary.ca/

http://www.redsealnotary.com/?gclid=CLqo-YG9rJcCFRIfDQod6Ho8jQ

 

[b-1]

I always carry a letter when crossing. I also take a photocopy of DH's passport and driver's license.

A little OT but, crossed at the winnipeg airport in september and the US immigration official insisted that I sign my DD 6 passport on her behalf. I politely pointed out that I don't think anyone under 11 years olf is to have a signed passport, however he insisted that I would have to sign her passport if I was going to get through immigration. I signed her passport. Big Mistake. Her passport was voided as soon as i signed it.

I called passport canada when I got home and I'll have to get her a new passport ( there was 2 years left on the "voided" passport). I asked what I should have done at US immigration and was told that I should have asked to speak to a canadian customs official.

Just a little heads up for those travelling with little ones...