Single mom travel overseas. Do I need a parental consent from dad?

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I am a single mother and am planning a trip to Europe this summer with my son. His dad and I are somewhat cordial but he has a lot of animosity for me leaving him. Do I need his consent to take my child to Italy? I mentioned it would be a good idea for him to draft a letter for me but his answer was "why should I help you?"...ugh..you get the picture of the character I'm dealing with. Did anyone ever travel solo with their child? Any documentation needed? Oh I should mention my son has a passport.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

To leave the US you don't need an authorization, however, Im not sure about leaving Italy. I know that to leave Brazil you d need the authorization.

[Anonymous]

Canada is strict about it. I've never been asked in Europe. But I don't know official rules for each country. What is custody like? If you have sole custody, I'd at least carry those papers. If not, check with the State Dept website and see what Italy requires.

[Anonymous]

Both parents must be present in order to get your child a passport. I'm not sure how old your child is but even infants have to have to have passports now. You really must check with the passport office. But bottom line he must be present in order for you to get the passport (if you don't have one already). We've gone through this recently in our family so this information is current.

[Anonymous]

Oops, PP here. Somehow I missed your last line that he already has a passport. All bets are off!

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

How would you feel if he did it without talking to you

[Anonymous]

OP, you need to be careful. If you and the father are estranged, he could say you are kidnapping the child. I would try to get a letter from him. I travel with my boys to Europe and I always have an authorization signed by my DH. One of my reasons is that I kept my maiden name.

[Anonymous]

OP, draft the letter and ask him to sign. If he refuses, go to court and ask authorization to a Judge.

[Anonymous]

Officially, yes.

Does the child have your last name?

My partner traveled with our child alone to Europe (with letters from me). They have different last names, but customs didn't bat an eye. Could be because they look a lot alike.

I also think the other PPs are right he could do something unpredictable if you leave without his permission, so I would get it.

[Anonymous]

I'm a single mom with adopted child so she has no dad......I was told that just in case anyone questioned it when we traveled overseas (done it twice to Carribean) to carry a letter explaining this & other papers showing adoption. I was never asked anything about it & never showed them.

So if you can get it from him, I would try to carry it. If not, I'd carry copy of custody papers just in case....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Canada is strict about it. I've never been asked in Europe. But I don't know official rules for each country. What is custody like? If you have sole custody, I'd at least carry those papers. If not, check with the State Dept website and see what Italy requires.

I'd skip that and go right the source and ask the Italian embassy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both parents must be present in order to get your child a passport. I'm not sure how old your child is but even infants have to have to have passports now. You really must check with the passport office. But bottom line he must be present in order for you to get the passport (if you don't have one already). We've gone through this recently in our family so this information is current.

Both parents do not have to be present to get a child a passport IF the other parent gets a notarized statement of consent that he or she is allowing you to get a passport for the minor child. If you have sole custody, the are other requirements.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/minors/minors_834.html#step7minor

[Anonymous]

Am I the only person who is wondering why you aren't having an open discussion about this with your former spouse. Frankly if you are leaving the coutry for the trip this isn't casual and both of you should be in agreement. You shouldn't be sneaking off on a trip oversees hoping that you don't have to get his consent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Am I the only person who is wondering why you aren't having an open discussion about this with your former spouse. Frankly if you are leaving the coutry for the trip this isn't casual and both of you should be in agreement. You shouldn't be sneaking off on a trip oversees hoping that you don't have to get his consent.

Yes, you are. She is not "sneaking off", in her original post she wrote that she asked him to draft a letter but his response was unhelpful.