Travelling abroad as a single parent

helliesin

I have just booked to take my daughters to Disneyland Paris on my own. I have been advised by someone that I need to get written permission from my daughters' dad to take them out of the coutry, as they do not have the same surname as me. I enquired about this in a travel agents today and it was confirmed. I'm a little bit confused about this...

Why do I have to do this, if I am able to prove that I am their mother with their birth certificates. Does this mean that he could, in theory, take them out of the country without my permission (i dont for one moment think he would do this, i'm just thinking of all posibilities!) simply because they share his surname? We do not have a legally binding custody agreement, I have full custody and he sees them as and when it suits him. What can I do if, in the future, he is off the scene and we have no contact with him?
My ex is happy to provide this letter at the moment, but he can be very unpredictable and unreasonable when he chooses to be. What can I do if he refuses? Although our seperation is amicable, I don't feel that I should have to ask his 'permission' to take my children on holiday when I have full custody of them.

What should the letter say, and do I need to produce any of his identification info? Is it possible to use a general letter, which states that he is happy for me to take them out of the country whenever, rather than being specific to this particular holiday, and then I keep it for the next 15 years and reuse it?

Sorry if I am posting in the wrong place!

aaroncaz

I am a single mom, have took my son away now 3 times, Majorca and Tenerife. He has a different surname to me, no written permission was asked for him nothing was mentioned.

Jinx

I was a single mum too and have taken my daughter abroad, no hassle at all, a number of times.

The only time we did letters was when my brother took my daughter skiing - I gave him a letter to state he could make all decisions with my authority. It wasnt asked for either, no issue with her travelling with them. (we were thinking more in case of accident etc)

balletshoes

if you want to take their birth certificates with you to explain the different surnames issue, I think that would be accepted instead of a letter from the children's father.

I have taken my daughter and my niece away on holiday twice before, my niece has a different surname to me. I have been asked for a letter of permission for her, on entry back into the country at Luton airport. I didn't have one, and I was given a telling-off from the border control officer. I did have the letter of permission the first time, and wasn't asked for it (sods law isn't it).
On my letter of permission, I just got my sister (niece's mum) to write that she was niece's mum, and she gave permission for me (full name) to take her to France from .... date to ..... date. She put her full contact phone numbers on the letter too.

claire16c

My SIL is not with her childs father anymore and she did get questioned at US immigration about it for a few mins. Next time she is taking the birth certificate to prevent any hassles - as hes not on it.

alex21

My sons grandparents took him on holiday every year for 10 years with different name on passport and nobody ever questioned them.

paulwellerfan

i am a single parent too and have taken my daughter all over the world to.
without her fathers permission

phatbear

No permission is required, however it wouldnt hurt to take a photocopy of the birth certificate with you.

Tojo_Ralph

What did or did not happen to a.n.other traveller in the past is worth noting but not confirmation of current immigration rules and/or regulations of a given country or confirmation of what will occur in the future, particularly given that immigration requirements can be fluid and at times unclear.

Whilst I doubt the OP and child will have any issues if they hold UK passports, the reality is that when travelling with a child as a lone parent to certain countries, having the written permission of the absent parent in ones possession can save a great deal of time and hassle, especially for males who are travelling with children.

I started carrying/using a letter of consent after a trip to North America where an immigration officer "chatted" with my son for approx fifteen minutes, all very friendly but the questions and the cross referencing of passport data along with questions about that data, made it very obvious that he was looking to ensure that my son was not travelling against his will and with his mothers permission.

As to what to put in a letter, the below is what I have used in the past when travelling with my son or when he has travelling to meet me overseas. In addition we/he carried copies of all three passports attached to the letter.

---

Name of non travelling parent
Non travelling parents address
Tel +44 (0) XXXXXXXXXX
Mob +44 (0) XXXXXXXXXX

Date: XXXXXXXXXX

To Whom It May Concern

This is to confirm that I, (non travelling parent), UK passport number XXXXXXXXXX, give my permission for my son/daughter (name of son or daughter) UK passport number XXXXXXXXXX, to visit his/travel with his father/mother (name of father/mother) UK passport number XXXXXXXXXX in/to (name of countries to be visited).

Signed

XXXXXX

---

A simple google on "single parents or other adults travelling alone with children" will yield additional indicators that a letter of consent is never a bad thing.

travelgran

A friend was hosting a brother (23) and sister (17) from Spain over Christmas. At the spanish airport the girl was turned back at the boarding gate as she had no 'permission to travel' letter from her parents. Her father had delivered them to the airport and was on his way home (after seeing them both check-in) and couldn't be contacted in time for her to fly.I'd carry a letter if I were you.

Mr_Wang

travelgran wrote: »

A friend was hosting a brother (23) and sister (17) from Spain over Christmas. At the spanish airport the girl was turned back at the boarding gate as she had no 'permission to travel' letter from her parents. Her father had delivered them to the airport and was on his way home (after seeing them both check-in) and couldn't be contacted in time for her to fly.I'd carry a letter if I were you.

Garbage.

And not just any garbage either, this is pure, unadulterated, fermented garbage.