Consent from Father for taking children abroad

kirstym01

I was just wandering if anyone knows if an email from my childrens father would stand as a written consent to take them on holiday?

He's been fine about me taking the children abroad (flying end of May) for a week during school holidays right up until yesterday evening where he sent me a message (he won't talk to me) saying he has parental responsibility and has to provide written consent to allow them to leave the country for holidays.
Earlier in the year he sent me an email asking if he could have the children on one of my agreed weekends later in the year (there is no Court Order, this is one arranged between ourselves) as he is getting married. His email.....

'We would like to have the children the night before our wedding and the night of our wedding. I know its not our weekend but I hope it's ok, just as it's ok for the children to miss their weekend with us when they go on holiday in May'.

Would the content of this email stand or is it too vague?

Many thanks

thorsoak

Sounds fair enough to me! And yes, think you will find that more than ever Border Security are requesting written permission from the other parent, should the childrens' surnames on their passports be different from the parent accompanying them. In fact it can be quite a nightmare ...last autumn Granddad was collecting FOUR granddaughters (two from daughter, two from son/stepmum - and not only did he have to have letters from the parents, authorising their travellilng with granddad, he also needed copies of their birth certificates.

Parents took one extra step ...had teeshirts made for the girls saying - I'm with granddad (plus granddad's photo) - and one for granddad, saying "I'm the granddad - with a photo of all of them on it! Caused smiles at the airline desks anyway.

Rubik

I would suggest that you provide a letter that states the children's names, dates of birth, the other parent's name, the dates of the holiday and the location; and that you consent to the children being taken out ot the UK for the purposes of this holiday. Keeps it nice and clear, and no room for ambiguity. I would suggest that you request he provides you with the same for your family holiday.

As an aside, if there is no court order in place, then it is just general consent that is required (by law), not necessarily written consent -but it is always a good idea to have that consent set out in a letter.

WickedWitch123

I have a different surname to my daughter (age 10) and we were stopped last year coming back from the Dominican. I didn't have a letter from her dad (we don't speak either) but I did have her birth certificate and my deed poll certificate confirming the change of name. Border control asked my daughter a couple of questions (who is this woman, where do you live) and then they were happy.


It does happen but its not a big deal it's sometimes made out to be - just be prepared. We're abroad again this year and i'll just do the same thing.


Have a fab time!

LMG1305

When my eldest daughter was 16 she was going to Spain with her friend and her friends mum & dad.

As a precaution I provided a letter saying that I gave permission for my daughter 'Full Name' to leave the country on x date with 'Full name of friends mum & dad' and return on y date. I also provided my full name and address on the letter and on a separate sheet I had a photocopy of my passport.

They took it with them & kept it in the safe while they were on holiday, but said that they weren't asked for it on departure or arrival.

I would just ask your ex for a letter stating permission given.

sheramber

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

Savvy_Sue

kirstym01 wrote: »

I was just wandering if anyone knows if an email from my childrens father would stand as a written consent to take them on holiday?

He's been fine about me taking the children abroad (flying end of May) for a week during school holidays right up until yesterday evening where he sent me a message (he won't talk to me) saying he has parental responsibility and has to provide written consent to allow them to leave the country for holidays.

You know him, we don't. Do you think he's playing control games?

My first thought would be to respond along the lines of "That's helpful, will you write and send the letter or do you need me to send you something suitable?" ie not even entertaining the suspicion that he's trying to scupper the holiday ... if that is indeed your suspicion!

pollyanna24

It never even occurred to me to get a letter from my girls' dad, but as they have a different surname to me, I always bring their birth certs to prove I'm their mum.

I have been questioned, but never extensively.

pollyanna24

And in all honesty, what's to stop anyone just writing a letter and then signing it "on behalf of" their ex?

Ames

I think a lot depends on where you're going. There was a lot in the news a few years ago when South Africa introduced strict rules. A lot of people got caught out because they didn't have the correct paperwork.

The FCO page for the country you're visiting might have details.

LilElvis

Ames wrote: »

I think a lot depends on where you're going. There was a lot in the news a few years ago when South Africa introduced strict rules. A lot of people got caught out because they didn't have the correct paperwork.

The FCO page for the country you're visiting might have details.

I came back from S.A. last week and the rules are still in force. BA asked to see our daughter's full birth certificate at check in and they confirmed we would not be allowed to travel without it. A notarised letter of consent is required if a child is travelling with only one parent. We also had to show it at immigration in Johannesburg where they compared the names to those on our passports. However, when we flew from a regional airport in S.A. to Zambia and back no one requested the birth certificate at all. S.A. immigration are notoriously bureaucratic - I know a woman who was shipped back on the next flight to the UK because she didn't have a single totally blank page in her passport for her immigration stamps, something they insist on even though they don't need that much space.