Taking kids to Spain as a Dad and partner

Notamondayfan

Hello,

We've got a holiday to Spain booked in a few weeks time.

Im split from my wife, with a new partner, and we're taking my 3 kids with us.

Their mum is happy for them to go, and we have a permission letter for her to sign that gives all the details of the trip, flights, accommodation, dates, etc, along with my wife's details, phone number and so on and their mum will sign to agree.

My partner however thinks we need it notarised just to be extra safe. Is that true? It's not something I'm familiar with.

Has anyone had any trouble taking their kids abroad without their mum?

Cheers.

marcia_

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6676123/taking-kids-to-spain-as-a-dad-and-partner

I have never heard of anyone getting it notarised, and never actually heard of anyone being asked to see the letter. A friend was asked where is the father and they just said what the situation was and they were left through.

Newbie_John

Nope never a real issue, keep in mind that my daughter doesn't look like me at all, we have different passports, different names…

In many countries in Europe they say nothing - I heard that having a passport is enough - you need two parents to issue it etc.

Anyway, the toughest checks I've had were in Germany, they asked me to have wife's permission written on the xero copy of the passport. Really odd but I've been doing it ever since if I go there again. Nobody ever asked for notarised..

Personally 70% time nothing, 20% some questions, 10% ask for written permission - that's my luck.

NoodleDoodleMan

A 'phone call to the tourism office at the Spanish Embassy perhaps ?

https://www.tourspain.es/consejerias/londres/en/

I've had an email enquiry response from them on a passport issue - it took a few days, however if you have enough time before flying it should be answered.

Bigphil1474

We took our young grandchildren on a flight a couple of years ago to meet up with their parents and we just took a letter from mum and dad. Nobody asked anything anyway. What would you do if you were a widower or if you had full custody and the ex wasn't being cooperative? I think you'll be fine.

maman

Like others, we've taken grandchildren abroad with letters from their mums but never been asked to produce them.

On one occasion, we took granddaughter's friend (unrelated to any of us) and nothing was said.