Travelling abroad as a single parent

Tojo_Ralph

duchy wrote: »

Not awfully relevent as we don't have national ID cards here -people travel on passports -which are presumably treated differently.

The comment was 100% relevant to the post I was replying to which I have repeated below.

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.

Hope that helps.

karent_2

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/37/part/I

You need permission from all persons with parental responsibility.

Personally, I always carry a letter, but I have never been asked to produce it. Wouldn't want to be turned away though.

duchy

thepenniescount wrote: »

I flew into Munich at the end of December and was questioned on arrival at some length. I was with my husband and 4 children. My oldest son is not my husbands - he has a different surname. I was told in future I need to travel with a letter from his father and his birth certificate. I was told in Germany this is standard and thought no more of it. On landing back in the UK I had the same scenario. I explained the situation and said I was unaware of this "new thing", they said how do we know you have not gone to Germany and taken him from his father. My response was "ask him" he is 13. They did say I only need to travel with his birth certificate that a letter was not necessary. I did respond anyone can get a birth certificate. I was told not too push it and be on my way. So perhaps in future I will take it with me, saves a bit of time.

The birth certificate (assuming you have the long version) will have your name on it-perhaps that is why . It'll match your passport.
Immigration officers have always had the powers to ask -and refuse travel-circumstances may have permanently changed or they may have been on the lookout for a particular child/group including a child of your son's age-and you just fitted the profile.

thepenniescount

duchy wrote: »

The birth certificate (assuming you have the long version) will have your name on it-perhaps that is why . It'll match your passport.
Immigration officers have always had the powers to ask -and refuse travel-circumstances may have permanently changed or they may have been on the lookout for a particular child/group including a child of your son's age-and you just fitted the profile.

I do have the long version of his birth certficiate but it has my maiden name on - I guess the computers would tell them my maiden name if they checked??

Very good point about being on the look out for a child matching him, in that case they did well!

NMSE12

I'm now concerned as i am travelling to Spain with all of my children, however my eldest has her fathers surname, Her birth certificate has my maiden name and i have about as much chance of platting fog as i do getting a letter of consent. It's not that he wont allow me to take her abroad it's just that he likes to make life diffacult for me for no reason. I stupidly gave him PR as i belived it to be in our daughters best intrest at the time. Where do i stand in relation to taking her abroad? Will it not say on her passport that i am her mother as i gave my passport number on the aplication.

Maureen43

Reading this with interest.

I am travelling to Spain in a few weeks with my two children as a single parent.

Do I need a letter from their father saying he is ok with them travelling?

Standingtall

I have travelled in Spain, Greece, turkey and France with my daughter and have never been questioned, although we do have the same surname. She has been asked basic questions by immigration officers though so it sounds as though matters are now escalating. Not surprising I suppose with increased awareness of child abductions arising from mixed nationality marital breakdowns and the high profile ones such as Madelaine Mcann.

I think in future I shall carry a copy of my daughter's birth certificate with me, erring on the side of caution.