Do I need permission from my husband to take kids out of US?

[Anonymous]

I’m divorced. I can bring a birth certificate. But no way could I/would I get a letter from my ex husband.

Thoughts? Bring my divorce papers?

[Anonymous]

What do never married single moms do in this situation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m divorced. I can bring a birth certificate. But no way could I/would I get a letter from my ex husband.

Thoughts? Bring my divorce papers?

Do you have sole custody?

Yes: Bring your court order.

No: You need a permission to travel letter unless you have full legal and physical custody.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do never married single moms do in this situation?

This is why some single moms do not list a dad on the BC. No dad on BC means no dad on passport. It’s why others go to court to get full legal and physical custody although dad has never been involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do never married single moms do in this situation?

This is why some single moms do not list a dad on the BC. No dad on BC means no dad on passport. It’s why others go to court to get full legal and physical custody although dad has never been involved.

How hard is it to get full custody? My ex has never been involved and wouldn’t object to this.

[Anonymous]

Recommendations from US Customs and Border Protections:
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/3643/~/children---child-traveling-with-one-parent-or-someone-who-is-not-a-parent-or

If a child (under the age of 18) is traveling with only one parent or someone who is not a parent or legal guardian, what paperwork should the adult have to indicate permission or legal authority to have that child in their care?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, the adult have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, friends, or in groups*, a note signed by both parents) stating "I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter/group. He/She/They has/have my permission." See our Q&A parental consent.

[...snip...]

While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if we do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed. If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (deceased, sole custody, etc.) any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., would be useful.

Adults traveling with children should also be aware that, while the U.S. does not require this documentation, other countries may have a requirement and failure to produce notarized permission letters and/or birth certificates could result in travelers being refused entry (Canada has very strict requirements in this regard).

The USCBP Parental consent/permission letter recommendations:
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1254/kw/1254/sno/1/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xNTI5ODA5MjQ3L3NpZC9peU9vYVpQbg%3D%3D

What should a parental consent/permission letter look like? Is there a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) form?

There is not a CBP Form letter but this is a letter you create. The "Parental Consent Letter" should include the following elements:

Who

What

Where

When

Why

Contact information for the absent parent(s).

Having the letter notarized is not necessary but highly recommended.

For frequent border crossers, the letter should not exceed one year. It is recommended to have the letter in English.

[Anonymous]

Since some people suggesting birth certificates in addition to passport do they have to be original or copies ?

[Anonymous]

Never had an issue when taking my daughter solo to Paris recently.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]Since some people suggesting birth certificates in addition to passport do they have to be original or copies ?[/quote]

Considering the document is rarely even asked for, a copy would be fine 99.99% of the time.

[Anonymous]

Canada requires it pretty much every time. Mexico is also somewhat strict. US immigration doesn't require, but some US airlines do. Europe depends.

Basically, it's worth getting.

[Anonymous]

We are French, so maybe that’s why we were never asked? Just get the letter to make sure.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Since some people suggesting birth certificates in addition to passport do they have to be original or copies ?[/quote]

Considering the document is rarely even asked for, a copy would be fine 99.99% of the time. [/quote]

I use an original. It’s not that expensive. But I’m only traveling with one minor. I could see it being an issue for a family with 3-5 kids.