international travel issue

[luckymom]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? TX

I am planning a vacation overseas (London) with my DD during the winter holidays. I've asked my ex to provide me with a "travel consent letter" because I've heard that divorced parents can encounter difficulties without proof that the other parent is on board with the child leaving the country. I've sent him a sample letter that I found off the web. He is refusing to provide the letter, although he says he doesn't seem to object to the trip itself. He says that I need to "prove" I need such a letter. (FYI, ex loves to be difficult.) I looked at the state department site and can't seem to find anything, although there is lots of stuff on different sites advocating carrying such a letter.

I guess what I am asking is 1) do I need such a document for my trip? 2) does anyone know of an "official" site where its neccessity is stated? If ex won't provide a letter, will his e-mails stating the trip is ok suffice?

Thanks in advance!

 

[LdiJ]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? TX

I am planning a vacation overseas (London) with my DD during the winter holidays. I've asked my ex to provide me with a "travel consent letter" because I've heard that divorced parents can encounter difficulties without proof that the other parent is on board with the child leaving the country. I've sent him a sample letter that I found off the web. He is refusing to provide the letter, although he says he doesn't seem to object to the trip itself. He says that I need to "prove" I need such a letter. (FYI, ex loves to be difficult.) I looked at the state department site and can't seem to find anything, although there is lots of stuff on different sites advocating carrying such a letter.

I guess what I am asking is 1) do I need such a document for my trip? 2) does anyone know of an "official" site where its neccessity is stated? If ex won't provide a letter, will his e-mails stating the trip is ok suffice?

Thanks in advance!

Does your child already have a passport? If so, then I really don't think that the letter is a necessity...not for the UK. However, rather than checking the State Department for info, contact the airline you will be using and ask them about it.

 

[Ohiogal]

Does your child already have a passport? If so, then I really don't think that the letter is a necessity...not for the UK. However, rather than checking the State Department for info, contact the airline you will be using and ask them about it.

WRONG. Children have needed them to travel to CANADA and even below to travel to/from Mexico even with a passport. Don't say that.

Also see:

Passport clauses in custody agreements. New York Divorce and Family Law, the definitive site about divorce, child support and custody.

Also from another website:

Minors: Mexican law requires that any non-Mexican under the age of 18 departing Mexico must carry notarized written permission from any parent or guardian not traveling with the child. This permission must include the name of the parent, the name of the child, the name of anyone traveling with the child, and the notarized signature(s) of the absent parent(s). The State Department recommends that the permission should include travel dates, destinations, airlines and a brief summary of the circumstances surrounding the travel. The child must be carrying the original letter – not a facsimile or scanned copy – as well as proof of the parent/child relationship (usually a birth certificate or court document) – and an original custody decree, if applicable. Travelers should contact the Mexican Embassy or closest Mexican Consulate for current information.

She should call the English embassy to determine what that country requires as well as what Immigration will require. Things have changed quickly and having a passport is NOT permission to travel abroad. It provides the means but NOT the permission.

 

[casa]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? TX

I am planning a vacation overseas (London) with my DD during the winter holidays. I've asked my ex to provide me with a "travel consent letter" because I've heard that divorced parents can encounter difficulties without proof that the other parent is on board with the child leaving the country. I've sent him a sample letter that I found off the web. He is refusing to provide the letter, although he says he doesn't seem to object to the trip itself. He says that I need to "prove" I need such a letter. (FYI, ex loves to be difficult.) I looked at the state department site and can't seem to find anything, although there is lots of stuff on different sites advocating carrying such a letter.

I guess what I am asking is 1) do I need such a document for my trip? 2) does anyone know of an "official" site where its neccessity is stated? If ex won't provide a letter, will his e-mails stating the trip is ok suffice?

Thanks in advance!

I just went through this with my own child & helped multiple other parents.

Simply go to your local Post Office. They issue the passports & have the exact form you are referring to. Give the form to your X. It needs to be filed along with the application. Both parents must be present if the child is under 13.

And Yes, you DO need the other parents' consent...or a notarized document (which is also in the paperwork from the USPS)...when getting consent is at issue.

Have fun in London.

 

[LdiJ]

WRONG. Children have needed them to travel to CANADA and even below to travel to/from Mexico even with a passport. Don't say that.

Also see:

Passport clauses in custody agreements. New York Divorce and Family Law, the definitive site about divorce, child support and custody.

Also from another website:


She should call the English embassy to determine what that country requires as well as what Immigration will require. Things have changed quickly and having a passport is NOT permission to travel abroad. It provides the means but NOT the permission.

That's why I suggested that she contact the airline that she will be using, because they are generally up to date on what is needed for each individual country that they fly to. Calling teh Embassy works too, but the airline might be a quicker source of information.

I do realize that things are changing, but just a couple of years ago the UK wasn't one of those countries that was difficult about that.