Deb15July

oops...accidentally hit post

So I had no letter when I crossed into Cananda by car in 1995 and again my hubby was not with us. It was just my daughter, my mother and me. We were in a van and they asked my daughter to open the side door and asked her personally all kinds of questions about who we were (my mother and I), where we were from and why we were going into Canada, etc.

Better to be safe than sorry.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

When you leave Costa Rica, you show your passports right before you go through airport security. That's the point at which you officially exit the country. They have a separate line there for families traveling with minors. Everyone always says, oh, isn't that nice that they do this for families, but you are required use that line. That's the point at which they give you a once-over to make sure nothing looks suspicious. I would get the notarized letter just in case there are any questions. That could be one point at which there are, especially if your niecehas a different last name than yours.

hipvirgochick

Deb - I can personally vouch that Canada is tougher than CR. LOL!

Jeff - I must space out at SJO because I don't remember the separate line at all. I will have to pay more attention next time. ;-)

I believe better safe than sorry too, but after checking and double checking I do feel the quote I posted above from the consulate was valid at the time this thread was originally posted.

volcanogirl

Ah, I've seen that line and did always think they were just being nice - makes sense now.

marcel376

I am about to buy airline tickets to fly to Costa Rica with my wife, daughter (16) and her friend (16) for a summer vacation this coming August.

I know that my daughter's friend needs to have a Parental Consent Form signed by her parents.

My question is, my daughter's friend is raised by her mom. Her father is not to living with them and no where to be found. Is her mother signature on the form is enough?

Elainee

Don't know the answer to the last question. I took my granddaughter from the US to London. I had notarized letter from parents. I was asked for it at Emigration. I produced the letter. The official was surprised. He said too many people do not have them. Good to have it. Plus the medical release. I did not have it before but will have it now.

kelbo

I travelled to Europe with my 16 year old neice last summer. I posted on the forum and someone sent me this link which I had notarized and used for my trip. I never needed it, but it gave me peace of mind.


http://www.us-passport-service-guide...sent-form.html