Traveling solo with your kids?

[nybumpkin]

In the past, there have been a number of threads about needing "the letter" when traveling alone with your kids. There's a very helpful article in today's NY Times about documents needed when one parent travels with their kids: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/17/travel/17prackidnap.html?ref=travel

 

As the article notes, some of the requirements may seem to be overkill and some folks may never be asked for the documents - but better safe than sorry!

[SelectSys]

What I find interesting is that I have been able to send my kids out of the USA as unescorted minors on several occasions without any documentation other than a passport. The airline agent just requested that I provide the name, address, and telephone number of the person picking them up. It seems like it would have been simple to get on another flight - or even check in on the same flight - to smuggle the kid out of the country.

 

Only once did a UK immigration officer ask my daughter if she was sure that someone would be waiting for her and if she had their phone number. Of course my kids were a bit older - age 13 and above - on these trips. I would expect that more scrutiny would be imposed for younger kids.

 

I would also recommend following the rules as written. It is always better to prepared even if you don't need the documentation.

[Essiesmom]

I haven't read the link given, but I have read these boards for years...Recently, my niece had to allow her husband to return to Russia (he had beenn here as an illegal alien for 9 years), as they had exhausted all avenues trying to acquire a resident visa from this end. they have twins, and she is planning to take them to Russia to visit next month (originally, they were going to stay a number of months while she came back to the USA, but I don't think that is going to fly). They already have passports, but in applying for the visa, she was told she needed a letter from the father allowing them to travel out of the country...Imagine trying to get that from Russia...Incidentally, they are 19 months old. EM

[newbiecruiser09]

Hoping someone has experience and can give me some guidance. Hubby and I are planning to take the kids on a cruise in March. WE all have the same last name. Hubby and son may have to arrive separate from DD and me. Will I have a problem boarding with my DD if hubby and son are not with us? Do I need to have hubby sign something beforehand? I guess we could just wait til they arrive to all board together but wanted to see what options we had.

[QTMichele]

Hoping someone has experience and can give me some guidance. Hubby and I are planning to take the kids on a cruise in March. WE all have the same last name. Hubby and son may have to arrive separate from DD and me. Will I have a problem boarding with my DD if hubby and son are not with us? Do I need to have hubby sign something beforehand? I guess we could just wait til they arrive to all board together but wanted to see what options we had.

 

You probably won't have a problem, but I would get the letter signed by a notary "just in case" - unless you want to wait on your DH. Really, the letter is free (just copy it from many free online sources) and the notary is either free or very inexpensive (ours was free at the local credit union that we're not even members of).

 

Good luck!

[newbiecruiser09]

Thanks Michele. I'm hoping we will all arrive together but I think I will have the letter just in case. ;)

[crusinmama06]

Actually, it says that many are caught off guard when they don't have the proper documents. ;) It seems like we are all ahead of the game around here. :D

 

And the biggie - which affects many of our cruises -

Some countries, including Mexico and Canada, require written permission for a child traveling with one parent, primarily to combat abductions and to comply with the Hague Abduction Convention, designed to help participating countries resolve disputes.