I.D. needs for children
 

What identification papers should we take for children?<BR><BR>If traveling without the 2nd parent is there anything special needed?

Check out exhaustive thread from earlier this week/late last on same question....basic answer: get passports as you must have photo ID plus proof and citizenship and a birth certificate only gets you half the way there. <BR><BR>When travelling w/o other parent, do bring a letter stating custody/guradianship has been granted and be prepared for Canadian officials to check- this actually happened to me about 5 years ago when travelling with a child (not my own) on a vacation down to the US- Canadians were reluctant to let her proceed w/o contacting her mother-we missed a flight.

I have a question, re: one parent travelling with a child (a 15-year-old, in my case)...<BR><BR>I have read that, if crossing the border (in my case, Canada to US), I should have a letter from the other parent giving permission. I understand why, considering the problems with parental abductions, but what if you haven't had contact with (or child support from) this person in 14 years and he (from what I have heard) lives in a city 1,000 miles away? I have custodial papers and all, but as I live only an hour from the border, it is a popular day trip in my neck of the woods. How do I avoid hassles at the border -- or can I?

Best bet is to have a lawyer (one familiar with this situation) prepare an affidavit for you. If you have sole legal custody and declare under oath that the father has not exercised his visitation rights (assuming he has any) or contacted the child, a legally prepared and notarized affidavit should be sufficient. But, a knowledgable attorney can best assist you.

The above advice is correct. A friend of mine went to a lawyer with a similar situation. The lawyer prepared a document for the father to sign. He said, "come back with a signature". She did, he had it notarized, and off she went.

Laura: One can only guess who signed the affidavit above. In your case, your daughter is old enough to execute an affidavit verifying that her father has not contacted her in however many years.

Thanks Donna!<BR><BR>As I don't even know where the man lives and have no contact with his family, it's good to know that my son (sorry, I didn't specify gender in my original post) has some power in this decision. He will be especially relieved!

Laura: If you take your daughter to Montreal, be SURE to get off the metro at Sherbrooke and head NW on rue St-Denis. You'll both adore all the boutiques, cafes, etc. Another fabulous place to shop, for both of you, is the new Simons on rue St-Catherine -hip, quality clothing, moderately priced. Huge selections!