Will DH need a consent letter to go to Orlando with teens?

[Hemlock]

My DH will be travelling with our 2 teenagers (15 and 17), as well as my 2 nieces (14 and 16) and my son’s friend (17). Do you think he will be asked for travel consent letter?

 

[amw]

It’s better to be safe than sorry — especially if he’s travelling by air. Even when I take my DDs shopping in Buffalo by car, I get a note dated and signed by my DH saying I have permission and giving his contact info. Up to 18 years.

My husband travels for work. One year I took them to California to visit him in the summer — they questioned my youngest who was 9 at the time about where her Daddy was and why we were travelling. I had all my paperwork with me anyways.

 

[22Tink]

I always take one when I travel with DD without my husband. I haven’t been asked for yet it but I feel better having it just in case.

 

[Hemlock]

I’m actually taking one with me when I travel alone with our 6 year old, but I was wondering if my DH would need a letter because he’s travelling with older kids. If yes, he will actually need to get 3 letters - one from me to travel with our kids, one from my BIL to travel with my nieces and one from my son’s friend family.

 

[22Tink]

I’m actually taking one with me when I travel alone with our 6 year old, but I was wondering if my DH would need a letter because he’s travelling with older kids. If yes, he will actually need to get 3 letters - one from me to travel with our kids, one from my BIL to travel with my nieces and one from my son’s friend family.

If it were me I’d probably make sure he has the letters. The kids are all under 18 plus he’ll have one that’s not a family member. He may not be asked but if he is and doesn’t have the letters it could really be a hassle. Better safe than sorry.

 

[ccudmore]

I've been asked for a consent letter when travelling with my teenage kids without my wife. I'd say it's a must.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Getting the consent letters is easier than getting stopped without them.

Check here for a form to generate a letter. There is also a PDF and Word version. This makes it nice and easy. FYI, I couldn't open the interactive form in Firefox or Chrome, but I may not have the right Adobe access for that.
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/children/consent-letter

 

[cedricandsophie]

I would also get a medical authorization form signed by parents just in case.

 

[starvenger]

I've been asked for a consent letter when travelling with my teenage kids without my wife. I'd say it's a must.

I think my wife was asked for a letter once when she traveled to the UK with the kids. Basically wrote a letter indicating all the stuff the government consent form has (I don't think they had it at the time), and got it notarized, which was probably an unnecessary step.

Getting the consent letters is easier than getting stopped without them.

Agreed here. Better to be prepared than to be turned away.

 

[morrik5]

The above travel link shows the pdf file with tips and does mention it is a good idea to have the consent form notarized so that border officials will be less likely to question it.

 

[mort1331]

I would, but no need to have it notarized. The one time I did not have a letter I was stopped. I was stopped coming back into Canada. Cleared first customs on my way to get our bags and was stopped. I looked at the guy and said "What". My daughter was 5 at the time and said to the guy that we are coming home to mommy and sister. The guy still held us up for 30 mins and wanted to verify all info.
At the time I was a bit annoyed, but then after I ok with it. If it catches anyone all the better.

 

[bankr63]

I think you are probably fine for 3 of them. After age 16 you are travelling on an adult passport (or can be if the child passport is still valid), and that should allow free crossing. The other 2 you might want a letter, but the chance of being asked for kids that old is pretty low. My son, now 19, has been crossing the border on team buses for several years now with no letter.

I used to get travel letters when my kids were younger, but once they were old enough to answer for themselves, I stopped bothering and have never been asked for a letter. I was asked a situational question once when travelling with my then 13/14 yo son, but we just indicated that step-mom was flying and joining us a few days later once school let out for March break. Agents are taught to spot the BS, and if your story is straight and true it's easy sailing.

So really, perhaps err on the side of caution, but I wouldn't expect that you will need them, unless you look particularly shifty or sweat a lot when faced by people in uniform...

 

[samsteele]

A must. I'm a middle-aged woman & when I took my nieces to WDW, I always had the consent letter signed by the parents. Never asked on the flight down. Always asked on our return to Canada and always had to show the letter. Both girls also shared the same last name with me so no obvious flagging issue. Just the routine, are these your daughters? With so many other hassles involved with travel, better to just have this in your pocket.

 

[Lexx1214]

When my son was younger I always had a notarized consent letter from his dad - since we were divorced it was prudent not just for crossing the border but also in case he arbitrarily revoked consent. My son and I have different last names and we were questioned only once. Having the notarized letter meant it took all of 2 minutes instead of half and hour. Now that he’s over 16 he doesn’t need consent and has an adult passport.

 

[MorpethMiss]

Yes! You can easily complete the form for each teen using the link the person above sent you. When I travel with my children without my husband, I am sometimes asked for the letter, and sometimes not. Big risk if you are asked for the letter and don't have it.

 

[Hemlock]

Just wanted to update this thread and say that I was not asked any questions at the border regarding travelling alone with my 5 year old son. My husband also zipped through at a later date with 5 teenagers with no questions. Just to be safe, we had prepared all the paperwork that was linked to above. It was not requested, but I realize that it COULD have been so I was happy that we had it. Also, we were not questioned on our return trip to Canada which was good since my hubby dropped the forms in the garbage at our hotel before we left Orlando.

 

[MorpethMiss]

Also, we were not questioned on our return trip to Canada which was good since my hubby dropped the forms in the garbage at our hotel before we left Orlando.[/QUOTE]

Yes, good point! Keep those documents for the return trip! I know people who have not been asked for it upon entering the US, but HAVE been asked to show it before reentering Canada.

 

[mab2012]

Personally, I'd probably generate the form letters and have them and signed, but not notarized.

It's not all that likely he'll be asked, and if he is and doesn't have a form, it's still more likely a delay than an outright refusal (particularly re-entering Canada - they can detain, but can't ultimately deny entry to a Canadian citizen). But for the minor inconvenience of printing the form, it's probably worth the effort.

 

[bankr63]

Also, we were not questioned on our return trip to Canada which was good since my hubby dropped the forms in the garbage at our hotel before we left Orlando.

Yes, good point! Keep those documents for the return trip! I know people who have not been asked for it upon entering the US, but HAVE been asked to show it before reentering Canada.

Which strikes me as totally bizarre. If you and the children are all on Canadian passports with proof of Canadian address returning to Canada, why would they even ask? Is there a big problem with people abducting their children into their own country? Makes one ponder...

 

[MommyBG]

I just got back with my two kids - my husband didn't come this time. I completely forgot to bring a letter this time. No problems clearing US customs, but I was asked upon returning to Canada. She explained that Canadian customs didn't really need to see the letter but rather was offering a reminder to always travel with one especially if there was some type of medical emergency while away. The contact information on the letter was most important in case they needed to contact the other parent.