Parental Consent for Mexico

[benchmarklearning]

We are going on Mexican Riviera cruise in late March and taking DS on his first cruise (14 yo). He has passport but will we need a letter/consent form from his biological father giving permission in order to board. I have heard conflicting advice. TA says no problem - form not needed. But, I don't want to show up and be denied boarding.

 

Thanks!

[cccole]

When I take the kids out of the country without their father I always travel with a notarized letter from him. I am not always asked for it but more often then not I am asked to provide it. I have been asked for it when traveling to Mexico, Europe, and recently by HAL when boarding the Zuiderdam in Ft. Lauderdale. Just take the letter with you and you won't have to worry about anything.

 

I believe that the HAL website also states that you will be required to produce this letter when boarding. Have a great trip. Cherie

[Momee]

This was a biggie for me. I am a single mom traveling w/3 teens. Father in not in their lives and I was told by this board and my TA among everyone else a letter was needed no exceptions. Even when I could not contact my x it did not matter. Had to track him down to get a letter with a cost involved to me. I was told that the letter is not always necessary but if your the one they stop, you will not be able to board. Have a nice cruise and a safe return Momee

[caviargal]

Your TA IMO is not giving you good advice. I take groups on HAL and always let people in your situation know that this is a requirement per HAL.

[RuthC]

When it comes to a letter from the missing parent(s) it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

[newmexicoNita]

The only time the letter isn't necessary is if you have sole custody and a divorce degee stating this can be produced. Will you get asked for the letter, maybe not, but please do not take any chances. I can't imagine a TA telling you that. Of well, I guess it happens.

 

Nita

[DFD1]

I travel with my grand children from time to time. I would not think of taking them anyplace that requires air travel, rail or ship travel without a notarized parental consent and medical release form.

 

One never knows what might happen. It is impossible to predict what requirements foreign officials might demand in any given situation.

 

It is certainly better to be prepared.

[lola's mom]

This is something immigration authorities do not mess around with. If they require it --- and you don't have it -- you don't go!

 

Check with the cruiseline and/or U.S. Immigration.

[WeLoveCruising]

Please dont listen to your TA and get the letter. I have been asked for one many times (but not every time), with no rhyme or reason to the itinerary or embarkation port. It is worth the peace of mind alone to have it.

 

You may also need it in the event of an emergency - such as medical treatment, or an emergency trip home that routes you through a foreign airport where you might have problems, etc......the list of concerns goes on.

[betonic]

I live in Mexico and travel all the time alone with my son. I always have the notorized letter from his father but I have never been asked for it either in the US, Mexico or even boarding a cruise. I feel that having the letter gives me the security in case anyone ever asks for it.

[Sale Away]

This happened to be the exact question I had for the Ship Services folks last week when I called. The gal I spoke to put me on hold for quite a while to find a Reservations Specialist to confirm with but bottom line is yes, if both parents are not traveling with the child/children, you will need a notarized letter of consent from the other parent in order to take the child out of the country. You will likely be asked to provide it at the time of boarding.

 

She said that there have been too many cases of child abduction by spouses and thought there might be a law on the books that required it now. She told me they had recently changed their policies also with regard to children traveling without both parents.