Hello travelers! Kind of freaking out here...My significant other and I will be leaving in a few days (!) to take my kids (11 and 13) to Italy. My ex-husband has had a letter signed and notarized that gives me permission etc. We noticed last week (too late to get it fixed-expedited is 2-3 weeks) that my son's passport has an error. His birthplace is incorrect-they listed our current residence state instead of his birth state (totally not my error but that is neither here nor there). Clearly I did not check it carefully enough when it arrived a few weeks ago (yes, kicking myself). My question is--have you been asked to show this letter if you were traveling without the 2nd parent (recently)? Will they even know that my boyfriend is not the father? Do they ask? And if they asked for the letter, did you also have to show a birth certificate for the kids? I am hoping that the passport and letter will be enough proof, but I do have copies of their birth certificates if they ask for them...but that will reveal the error and I don't know how problematic that really is. Of course I am worried...but it's too late to actually get anything changed so I'm not sure where to focus my worry and just how worried I should be. Ugh. Thanks in advance!
Posted by
San Antonio TX, United States
2393 posts
The passport error should not be a big issue - it can be fixed for no charge upon your return.
A passport issued with a data error (e.g., name, sex, or place of birth) or printing error (e.g., data is missing on the biographical page, discoloration, crooked printing, etc.) can be corrected at no charge if the passport is still valid.
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/services/correction.html
To correct a data or printing error:
Complete Form DS-5504.
Submit form by mail with your passport, one color photo, and evidence of the error (e.g. your U.S. birth certificate showing the correct spelling of your last name).
You will not have to submit any fees unless you request Expedited Service.
The validity of the new, corrected passport depends on when you report the error.
If... Then...
Reported within one year of issue date The new passport will be valid for 10 years from the date it is issued.
Reported after one year of issue date The new passport will be valid until the expiration of the original, incorrect passport.
As for the letter - just show it if asked - no need for birth certs - passport is all.
Posted by
OP
Nashville, TN, USA
444 posts
Thank you Christi--I was going to have it fixed when we got back, but didn't know how much of an issue it might be...maybe not an issue at all?
Posted by
San Antonio TX, United States
2393 posts
The passport is still valid according to the website so there should not be a problem.
Posted by
Ooltewah, Tennessee
182 posts
Hi Ferrin,
We recently took my stepson to Scotland. His mother signed a letter stating we had permission for him to travel outside of the US with us but we were never asked to provide the letter on either end. I'm sure every circumstance is different and his age (16) could have been a factor.
Safe travels.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Keeping in mind that "free legal advice is worth what you paid for it," I offer the following.
I can't see where birth certificates enter into this situation. All you should need is the passport and the notarized permission letter. A passport acts as both proof of identity and proof of citizenship. The letter covers the fact that while the biological father is not present, you are permitted to act as needed for your children (e.g., medical decision making), and are not abducting them.
Before a passport was required for travel, birth certificates were often used for going to Canada, the Caribbean, etc, particularly for children. Now, they're not valid for this, and they were never valid to fly from the US to Europe anyway, so I don't think anyone will be expecting to see one.
I guess it's possible to be asked for place of birth when traveling, but I can't recall this happening. I just returned from France and Spain yesterday. On entering the Schengen zone, I was not asked any questions related to this; on returning to the US, the forms ask for country of citizenship and country of residence, but not place of birth.
Posted by
OP
Nashville, TN, USA
444 posts
Thank you Amanda and Harold-I appreciate your replies. I am feeling slightly less nervous about the birthplace thing. :)
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
We take young high school kids to Europe every June along with those signed/notarized papers. Out of 150+ kids no one has ever asked to see the paperwork.
Birthplace incorrect? Not a big deal at all...doesn't even qualify as a little deal - absolutely off the radar.
Posted by
Lakewood, CO
248 posts
We took our 14 year old grandsons to London 2 years ago and we were asked to show letters from their parents. One was notorized and one was not. They also asked the boys questions and then we went on our way and had a wonderful week.