Traveling Child with One Parent

What's the harm in getting one? Depending upon what is transpiring in the trafficking world, it seems safe to have one with you. Call your lawyer.

I was told I needed one for Lufthansa for my 17.5 year old granddaughter just last month but they never asked for it. And she wasn't my child-just granddaughter. What's the harm in having it...."just in case"? My feeling always is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

I have travelled through Heathrow twice with grandsons. Once I was asked for the consent form and once I wasn't. It's very easy to get. I would.

You could be asked for the consent letter by the airline before boarding, as well as by immigration officials in Spain. I would carry it for sure.

You may be asked for it. Why are you trying to get “no” for an answer? The success of the trip depends on getting on the plane, Non-custodial parent abductions are the major source of abductions in the US. Not “strangers” in the supermarket. Don't you want this protection for your child yourself?

Yes, you do. As a single parent, I’ve had to get one for every trip outside the US until my daughter turned 16 (don’t need 2nd parent consent to renew passport age 16+ in US). I’ve been asked twice - both times at immigration in airport.

If they choose to ask, you need it (or a death certificate for the other parent).

Just type one up. Even the UPS store notarizes for $2.

Have a great trip!

Kristen

Absolutely get one. They're easy to find online. I actually used to carry one consent to travel form and one medical consent form, just in case. I never needed the medical form but I did show the travel form in Scotland. And, even with the form, they took my daughter aside and asked her questions..and she was only 11.

First, thank you, everyone, for your generous time and responses. It is very clear that the prudent thing to do is to get this document. For those of you who have asked why it is because it will probably require a court order and will create significant additional expenses. Thank you again to everyone's responses.

Oh gosh, sorry about the complications but you'll be better with it.

Also note what Valerie said in her post about her daughter being pulled aside and questioned. How old is your son? I'd have him ready for being asked questions by an Immigration agent along the way. Easier to explain this ahead of time instead of him possibly being alarmed or worried at the time.

Oh my, if a court order is necessary for you to get the parental consent form then I would definitely get one. Since you are travelling with other family members (I assume grandparents, aunts, uncles), I would include them in the consent in the perhaps unlikely event that the other adult family members will be with your child without you. It's unfortunate and expensive but I think expedient.

YES YOU DO. Period.
Note as well that different countries have slightly different legislation regarding this issue. You might not need this to enter X but you might need it to enter Y... and you're visiting several countries as per your initial post.

Regarding Spain: https://www.zurich.es/es-es/blog/articles/2017/05/autorizacion-viaje-menores this applies both for travelling abroad and travelling into Spain.

We just returned from a 3 week trip with our teenaged granddaughters. We had notarized forms signed by their parents for each girl to travel with us and a separate form authorizing us to seek medical care for them if needed. These were forms our son got online. I realize your situation is more complicated but I too agree that they are needed even if you never have to show them to an official.

When the oldest granddaughter was 8 she was questioned a bit upon entering the U.K. I think if she hadn’t told such an engaging story to the immigration officer we would have been asked to produce the document which we had but didn’t have to show.

This is not a big deal, so don't let some of the above comments frighten you. Write or download the form(s), have your ex-husband sign and notarize them. That's it.

It is not difficult for him to find a notary, but you could do a little research to find the one most convenient for him if he's not generally cooperative. I carried the permission to travel form, but not the medical authorization...as I am her mother, but that wouldn't hurt. If you have full legal custody (as compared to physical custody) bring your divorce papers to satisfy the medical authorization...and maybe both. You also don't mention how old your child is. I imagine older than eight and they could just ask the child questions as well, if they had doubts...but that's not a legal opinion.

I was never asked for these papers, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't have needed them if I'd been asked. My name was different than my daughter's also. I traveled alone with my daughter, if you are traveling with an obvious family group, IMO, they are less apt to ask. Better safe than sorry.

I was asked when checking in, years ago. I didn’t know I needed one. I was sent to a desk in the airport to see if I could get one by the notary there. He asked me why I didn’t have one. I was young and desperate and blurted out the first thing that came into my mind, “ he’s in prison”, he wasn’t. I got the letter but how dumb I was! I’m sure those desks are gone now!
My ex had no issue with the boys going to Mexico with me but there was no way to get a note from him nor could I have afforded to pay for another flight go all of us on another day.
Get one!