Mcheller315

I read a previous question about whether i need something notorized from my kids dad to lleave the country. I still need some help. I tried to go to Canada a few years ago and was harrassed by the border patrol about not having anything for my daughter to be able to take her there. I was told I need to have this to take her. Her father has never been involved and has no want to give me this form to travel with her. WHAT DO I DO? I read peoples comments back saying you don't need one but in my experience I do.
Any ideas legally or otherwise?
Thanks

doug_stallings

A court order severing the father's parental rights might also suffice, but you do need a notarized letter of permission from the absent parent to travel to many countries with a child (unless both parents are present, of course). That's just the law.

Since this is a legal issue, I think you should consult with an attorney. Perhaps there is one document that, once executed properly, could persist and help you facilitate travel.

suze

I would consult an attorney.

ShelliDawn

I would consult the Canadian Border Services and see what they will accept. As Doug suggested, a legal document showing that you have sole custody of your daughter may suffice.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/security-...dmiss-eng.html
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/g...eraux-eng.html

janisj

My guess is as along as the father still has parental rights, you are in a pickle. As the others say - you need to consult an attorney.

If he is truly uninvolved, he may be willing to give up his rights. If not, you may have to get a court order where a judge rules you can travel w/ the children.

sharie

You could say quite frankly "He's not in our lives - I have no clue where he is." Just be up front but nice about it. I've taken my child on international trips and when they asked where the father was I told them just that - I don't know. My son now has a passport but it took half a year to get the ex to sign the Auth and give it back to me.

I was going to use a 'written statement' for the passport agency. Maybe you could do that (not passport but the statement)? On their application it says "A written statement signed in front of a Notary explaining the second parent's unavailability" can be used.

Here's the form:

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/79955.pdf

Try making the statement.

sharie

You probably didn't need that link but I wanted to show you that it does say it on there.

ShelliDawn

sharie,

How long ago and where did you travel that just verbally stating that the father is not involved in your and your child's lives was good enough?

Nowadays with parents kidnapping their own children over custody disputes etc., I'd be very surprised if that would be acceptable at a border crossing. The border patrol officer shouldn't just take someone's word because of course they'd lie if they were doing something illegal.

sharie

We went to the Bahamas and Mexico but the last was 2007. Like I said above though, a notarized written statement might help.

Iowa_Redhead

Definitely talk to an attorney before you travel again to prevent any more headaches and any overly cautious border patrol from delaying your trip. There are so many cases of one parent "stealing" the kid away to a foreign country that they simply have to be almost overly careful.

Options to look into include severing the dad's parental rights and then getting that in a notorized letter; getting your attorney to send him an official letter and requesting the signed document back in a certain amount of time; writing an official document and having it notarized that her dad isn't involved and his approval is not needed for her to travel with you; getting a court order saying you can travel with her at will and getting that into an official document.

The attorney is your best bet for solid answers. It really depends on your situation... is the dad uninterested in signing something because he's a jerk and will do anything to bother you? Or is he simply forgetful and can't remember to actually go through all of the steps of signing and returning a document? If you have a fight on your hands for him to "allow" it, that's a whole different ball game than if he's simply uninterested and can't be bothered to sign and return a letter. Explaining the entire situation to an attorney and getting their advice would be your strongest bet for a solid solution.