RobinL

I was just told that two divorced mothers each travelling with one child was denied boarding their Flights to Cancun (on US Airways and American Airlines) from Charlotte, NC and National in VA. The airlines are requiring written documentation stating that the absent parents has given consent for the child to travel abroad. Has anyone else run into this problem when traveling to Cancun with a child? Just curious to see if this requirement is well known since the airlines didn't advise the Mom's of this requirement when tickets were purchased.

not

This is not new, this requirement has been in effect for years.

Kath

From the US State Department Travel Advisory on Mexico:<BR><BR>In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry and exit points, including requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission of the parent(s) or legal guardian not present for the child's travel. Parents of minor children (under 18 years old) should document carefully legal custody prior to traveling to Mexico. If a minor child is traveling with only one parent, the absent parent should provide notarized consent. If only one parent has legal custody, that parent should be prepared to provide such evidence to airlines and Mexican authorities. In cases in which a minor child is traveling to Mexico alone or in someone else's company, both parents (or the sole, documented custodial parent) should provide notarized consent. If a child traveling to Mexico has a different last name from the mother and/or father, the parents should be prepared to provide evidence to airlines and Mexican authorities, such as a birth certificate or adoption decree, to prove that they are indeed the parents.

Monica

One more thing-in the case that one of the parents has passed away, a death certificate will be required.

leslie

I went to cancun last summer and my niece traveled with me. I needed a letter from her mother stating that she was aware that I was taking her into mexico. I was also travelling with my 2 children and their father did not go with us. He provided us with a letter stating that he knew i was taking our children into mexico without him. These letters need to be certified, dont forget that important part. It was a bit much gathering all the birth certificates and letters, but I did not run into any problems at the US or mexican airports.<BR>

sue

i also travelled with my 16 year old and took her cousin who is also 16 to cancun last year and it was very clearly stated to us by the travel agent that we need notorized letter and letter from the cousins parents which they had got notarized. ive done this a few times; sometimes officials at airport ask, sometimes not; not willing to take any risks. <BR>I thought the age this stops was older than 18, anybody know. I'm from Canada if that is any help. Thank you

pam

Several years ago I took my son and a friend to Cancun. I needed notarized papers from the boys parents and my husband who did not travel with us. They were checked constantly. I went through a TA and I am thankful I did, I may not have known this if I had gone on my own. Naturally this stems from kidnapping of children, by a Mother or natural Father to other countries. They take no chances these days. Let me tell you those letters were checked at every single point also. Even when we left Cancun as I recall I was asked for those papers again to come home.

D

Mexico requires (but does not always enforce) that you have a notarized letter in English and Spanish from the other parent allowing the child to travel with one parent.

Carole

When my children were under the age of 18 we always had to have a notorized letter of permission to travel when they traveled with either parent. We also stated the dates to be in Mexico. Boarding can be denied without it.<BR><BR>Also a friend of mine had a hospital issued birth certificate which was unacceptable. You need a state issued birth certificate and a state authorized photo ID like a drivers license if not traveling on a passport.

havkhones

Ive had some experience with this. A few years ago I went to Cancun with a buddy and his 16 eyar old son. We did know in advance about this requirement. He had all of the paperwork, a letter from his wife, birth certificates and even the letter was notorized. <BR><BR>We made it out of the states fairly easy, a couple of calls from Detroit Metro and we were on our way. When we arrived in Cancun, they let me in the country(thru the counter at customs) and my buddies son. My buddy couldnt get in. It turns out the letter although being notorized, wasnt stamped as notorized. A quick trip to the bathroom by my friend during which he inserted a $20.00 bill in the paperwork solved the whole problem. The guard at customs told him what to do.<BR><BR>What a joke in hindsight. So much for protecting the kids.

suzy

Another bit of info on the subject. My son and a bunch of his High School buddys went to Mazetlan for their graduation celebration. One of the boys was still 17 and he had to get a notorized letter from his parents to go with the group.<BR>We live a couple hours from Vancouver B.C. and i have to get a notorized letter to take my 17 year old up snowboarding. This requirment has been mandatory for travel outside of the US since my boys were about 5 and 7. I think the only time i was allowed to take them with out the letter was when they were 3 and 5 and that was on the day cruise from Fort lauderdale to Freeport Bahama in which we stayed over for 3 nights.

sandy

How long has this rule been in effect? I'm not saying it doesn't make sense, but I traveled to Europe with my mother several times when I was under 18 and never needed any of this--I even traveled all over Europe with my Aunt and Uncle and nobody ever asked for anything other than my U.S. passport. This was over 10 years ago, but I can think of several recent instances of kids traveling without one or both parents that never did this. Or at least didn't mention it. Anyone know?

Kids Travel

The OP was talking about going to Cancun. This requirement has been in place for travel to Mexico for as long as I can remember. I don't know about it in relation to travel to other countries.

xxx

This person is speaking of MEXICO. It may not apply to Europe.

suzy

I took my sons (15and 17) a year ago to Europe from Seattle. We were meeting their dad who was there on business. Before he left we had to get a notarized letter stating i could take them out of the US. I had to show it at Seatac before we could leave.<BR>Anytime, before you can leave the USA with minor children regardless where you are going you need this Notarized letter with a raised seal. I was also asked for it when we arrived in London befor boarding our next flight.<BR>This has been the standard procedure for about 12 years and i have been asked for this letter every single time whether it was Mexico,Canada, or Europe. I'm sure there are some that get by but it's not worth the chance of being denied boarding over something that is easy to get.

Sandy

We went to Florida from Canada 3 years ago and took our nephew with us. We required a letter of authorization from my sister to do this as well. So, Canadians, please applies to us as well.