Any Hassels with imigration when.....

[palmtreegirl]

Anybody had any experience travelling with their minor child (under 18) who has a different last name than the travelling parent due to a divorce? I have remarried and my son is travelling with us this year. He has a passport but he is a minor and our last names are different. I've read up on it quite a bit and
I have the "letter of consent to travel" which has to be notorized by the way, but dont know if I will still have issues once we arrive. Anybody gone through this lately? I'm so nervous we will have a problem. Any input appreciated.....Thanks

[maestranba]

Do you have passports? If not, bring your marriage certificate. You shouldn't have any problems. I took my son last year without my husband and they never asked to see anything but our passports.

[Michael]

You will find the notarized letter was not needed. Minor children travel on aircraft out of the US all the time. They don't need a parent of the same name with them. Mine have been as far as Europe without either parent.

[palmtreegirl]

Wow - thats nice to know. Maybe I'm worrying about nothing. I've just read alot about entering Mexico and they are watching for kidnapping, etc...That's why they suggested that letter. Thanks for your reply's.

[fireinmn]

This year we'll be traveling with our two olders girls...same last name, but different mom on bc. And the added bonus of a 16 year old friend of our oldest who happens to have divorced parents She is currently getting a letter signed and noterized by both parents. I'm almost certain we will never be asked to show any of the paperwork we'll be bringing along, cept for the bc's, but we'll have everything we need...just in case.

Last year when we travel to Canada we had the noterized letter...not one person was even remotely interested in seeing it...

[penalipee]

Originally Posted by palmtreegirl

Anybody had any experience travelling with their minor child (under 18) who has a different last name than the travelling parent due to a divorce? I have remarried and my son is travelling with us this year. He has a passport but he is a minor and our last names are different. I've read up on it quite a bit and
I have the "letter of consent to travel" which has to be notorized by the way, but dont know if I will still have issues once we arrive. Anybody gone through this lately? I'm so nervous we will have a problem. Any input appreciated.....Thanks

Depends where you're leaving from. In canada, you still need a notarized letter for a minor chid. I take my 16 yr. old daughter, who has the same last name and my 8 yr. old son whose name is different and they always read the letter. I've never traveled without one, just to be safe. Here it's only $30. and then you don't have to worry. I did read somewhere that they were getting rid of the law that needed the other parents signature, but it seems it's only for americans and not canadians yet. (we always seem to be a little behind the times lol)

[BassBud]

All you need is BC's for them and/or passports, you can also bring your divorce decree and marage cert. to explain the last names.

[ycraig]

I checked with the airlines when I made my reservations they suggested a letter signed and notorized by the parents. I have done this in the past but never been asked to show it. I'm bringing a friend for each child . The last thing I want is to be stopped in the Cancun Airport and not have the letter. It's better to be safe then sorry

[SunKneeMarie]

My brother came with us last summer with his kids, no wife along. He brought the letter of consent, but never needed it. He did feel better having it, "just in case."

[palmtreegirl]

Thanks everybody. I love this site! You guys have been great with information. BTW, I do have the letter (and his BC of course) so I will chill out now and not worry so much. Counting the days down...........!