amelia

I keep trying to post, so I hope one gets through.

Here's the format I used this summer with a child's friend:

We, ________________________and_______________________ __provide our consent
PRINTED NAMES OF PARENTS

for our child __________________________________________________ _ to travel with
NAME OF CHILD

_____________________________________ to ____________________________ from
NAME(S) OF ADULT TRAVEL COMPANION(S) COUNTRY/COUNTRIES

________________________________ to ____________________________ .
DATE DATE

List specific travel information in the space below such as airline, flight number, cruise line and ship or tour operator:
__________________________________________________ ______________________
__________________________________________________ ______________________
__________________________________________________ ______________________

Signed: __________________________________________________ ___________
PARENT SIGNATURE / DATE

__________________________________________________ ___________
PARENT SIGNATURE / DATE

Telephone:________________________________________ ______________________

Address:__________________________________________ ______________________


Signature of Notary:___________________________________________ _______

Notary's Printed Name: _______________________________________________

Notary Seal:


Never needed it. My kids have only been questioned for entry into Canada even though both my husband and I were with them. I think that's a really wonderful practice--wish every country were as cautious.

highledge

I have taken my kids back and forth from the UK to the US without my husband. I've also travelled in Europe without him. A few times I've been questioned- by US immegration coming INTO the US. "Where is your husband? In London. Why isn't he flying with you? Bacasue he has to stay and work. Twice the agent at check in (BA and AA) has asked the kids questions. I commented on tis once and the agent said that they've been trained to make sure the kids aren't under duress. It's just a few questions here and there that are designed to protect children from being taken.

AR

Loveitaly is quite correct in that whilst it's use may be extremely unlikely, it will not take up any room in your luggage.
Different authorities are wont to ask pernikety things. For instance, I booked a flight 11 months in advance and at check-in I was asked for the actual credit card. Not only had this card long since expired, I had also transfered the account to another card at 0% APR. The check-in was very reluctant to allow me to travel - even though they had debited my money many months earlier. We, in the UK, call them Jobsworths (i.e. "It's more than my job's worth to let you.....&quot and you could come across one of these anywhere along your travels.

walkinaround

i don't have any first hand experience but i did see a british man being given a hard time in portugal because he was flying alone with a child. i believe that they finally let him through. i have travelled a lot and have never seen this before and i think (as others said) that the chances of a problem are quite low.

while perhaps unfair, i would expect a father to have a problem with this more than a mother...but i have nothing concrete to back this up. best to be prepared with a letter.

jdraper

If anyone spent even a few minutes with a parent who has had their child taken to another country without their permission you would not think that the questions asked by airline officials were unfair or intrusive. This is becoming a much bigger problem in recent years as more marriages break up and parents fight for custody of their children. It is a long, time consuming and very exprensive process to get the children returned and many airlines and border employees are paying more attention to this and asking for proof of permission from both parents. While it is unlikely that you will need the permission it would be prudent to take the notorized letter from the other parent. Make sure that the notary puts his or her seal on it as it may not be accepted if the seal is not embossed on the letter. Have a great trip.

jsmith

This article is from the Nov. 16, 2003 New York Times.

http://query.nytimes.com/search/arti...tures%2fTravel

Other countries may have tightened their regulations since the article appeared.

Spend a couple of dollars and get the notarized letter.

cpeicott

I am a widow and I did have a problem 2 years ago, when my purse was stolen, including ID and passports, while travleing with my then 12 year old daughter in London.
Getting a new passport without the other parent was quite challenging.
They needed proof that the other parent had given permission to the travel.
Not as easy task for me,due to my husband's death.
They (the American Embassy) did mention that a parent travelling without the other parent should carry a notorized letter. Due to increased cases of kidnapping.

mebanese

When we travel with our godson, his parents also send along a medical release form and a copy of his insurance card. Again, it doesn't take up much room. We've never needed it, although we came pretty close when the boys had a contest to see who could balance their way across a pipe...