Taking kids abroad

addis123

Hi

My wife is taking our 2 kids to see our family in Africa for 5 weeks. Unfortunately I can't go due to work and I was just wondering if she would need written permission from me to take them for so long. Or if she didn't need written permission maybe it would be a good idea just to make things easier for her if any questions were asked ( if indeed there would be any asked at all)

Any advice appreciated.

PeacefulWaters

Africa is a continent of many nations.

Which one is she going to?

I know South Africa has rules on this worth seeking out.

EconomicsGirl

Only time you have problems I've found is where wife uses a surname different to children's there are problems at passport control when no one with the same surname as children is present. I'm married but use maiden name so would have problems if wanted to take children alone, seems crazy to me but they need proof you are related and take the same surname as proof. I have been asked to prove the children are mine when my husband is a bit behind but once he shows his passport I don't need to.

If your wife uses your surname she shouldn't need anything at least for leaving UK. If she doesn't may need a letter but check.

EconomicsGirl

This is UK rules. In theory you don't need anything if your the mother but I've been asked to prove I'm the mother despite the children cuddling me and calling me Mummy and being the mother. They don't believe you unless you have the same surname which is ridiculous as a wife using maiden name could claim to be the mother of any child with her surname and no problems but not her own children.

https://www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad

DigForVictory

Some schools will feel the need to interview both wife & daughter (separately) before & after the tip to ensure all is ticketty boo.

Which can be embarrassing/humiliating/tigging awkward to schedule, so let schools know early in case they feel they have to be seen to be implementing safeguarding responsibilities.

It isn't an everyday issue so staff suddenly have to behave in ways that aren't normal for them & ask questions they do not want to, just to tick the boxes. If you can be patient loving & tolerant just the same they will be so grateful!

Ames

South Africa brought in new laws a couple of years ago, there were lots of cases in the news about people being turned away at the airport. If the OP is talking about SA then birth certificates and (I think) a letter is needed.

ETA- the FCO travel advice page for SA has plenty of information. The birth certificate has to be the full one not the short one.

benjus

EconomicsGirl wrote: »

This is UK rules. In theory you don't need anything if your the mother but I've been asked to prove I'm the mother despite the children cuddling me and calling me Mummy and being the mother. They don't believe you unless you have the same surname which is ridiculous as a wife using maiden name could claim to be the mother of any child with her surname and no problems but not her own children.

https://www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad

At what point are you asked to prove this? Given that the UK does not have exit immigration checks, I guess it must be the airline asking this at check-in?

I've had personal experience with certain South American countries where you have to go through a fairly complex bureaucratic process before a child who is resident in that country is allowed to leave the country without being accompanied by both parents, but I don't think they have any checks on entry. I guess South Africa is a different matter. Point is to check each individual country's requirements.

agrinnall

We shouldn't get carried away with South African rules just yet until the OP answers the very first question asked in post #2.

addis123

Thanks for the replies. Ethiopia is the country of destination. My wife does have a different surname to me as she kept her own and the kids have my surname. Maybe I will write a letter so things go more smoothly and she can take the kids birth certificates too.

Cheers

EconomicsGirl

Not sure if I was asked to prove I was the mother on the way in or the way out of the UK but it was flying and definately passport control not the airline. If she has a different surname she may well need proof she is the mother e.g. their birth certificates or a marriage certificate for the UK authorities.

Trouble is for me I used my married surname on their birth certificate so that wouldn't help. I always have my husband with me so has been fine just wegot
split in the queue that time. I think it was on our return but not sure. I was a bit shocked as at the kids school I would say 3/4s of mothers don't use the same surname.

Blue264

addis123 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. Ethiopia is the country of destination. My wife does have a different surname to me as she kept her own and the kids have my surname.

Contact the Embassy and ask them the question...

http://www.ethioembassy.org.uk/consular_services/visa.htm