Do I need letter from ex to take kids out of country?

[Anonymous]

I am taking kids on a cruise next year.

Ex has agreed on it.
Ex has agreed to help me get passports for them and we go next week.

Do I also need a letter of permission from him?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Ask the cruise company.

[Anonymous]

Yes. The problem is that you will be traveling in foreign countries and subject to the local laws of that country. For example, from the State Dept's web-site on Mexico (just one example):

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html

Minors: Effective January 2, 2014, under Mexican law travel by minors (under 18 years of age) must show proof of parental/guardian permission to exit Mexico. This regulation applies if the minor is traveling by air or sea; traveling alone or with a third party of legal age (grandparent, uncle/aunt, school group, etc.); and using Mexican documents (birth certificate, passport, temporary or permanent Mexican residency). The minor is required to present a notarized document showing the consent to travel from both parents (or those with parental authority or legal guardianship), in addition to a passport, in order to leave Mexico. The document should be in Spanish; an English version must be accompanied by a Spanish translation. The document must be notarized or apostilled (for information, fees, and how to make an appointment for notarial services at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City please click here). The minor should carry the original letter (not a facsimile or scanned copy) as well as proof of the parent/child relationship (birth certificate or court document such as a custody decree, plus photocopies of both parents’ government-issued identification).

This means that if you debark in Mexico that you may not be allowed to bring your minor child back on board the ship without proof that you have your ex-spouse's permission to transport your child internationally.

Even if the cruise line tells you that you don't need it, would you really want to be stuck in a foreign country while your luggage and possessions sails to the next port of call without you on it because the local authorities would not allow your child to reembark because of lack of proof?

[Anonymous]

Yes, absolutely

[Anonymous]

If you google, you will find a sample letter online. Your ex will need to get it signed and notarized. Most banks have notaries that are free to customers. It's painless.

[Anonymous]

I went to Europe for 3 weeks with my son.I did have my ex sign a letter for my own protection-we had a bad divorce, but nobody asked for it.

[Anonymous]

And it has to be translated into Spanish too (for Mexico)? What a pain in the a*%! I bet cruise ship companies aren't going to like this. Think of how many parents (or family members) will be affected by this new rule. I went on a cruise once and right before we checked in in Miami, the family in front of us was from Eastern Europe. They were missing some document that they needed to go on the cruise since we were visiting Mexico and some other islands. They weren't allowed to board. We got their suite since we were on standby. I bet this will happen too with this new rule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And it has to be translated into Spanish too (for Mexico)? What a pain in the a*%! I bet cruise ship companies aren't going to like this. Think of how many parents (or family members) will be affected by this new rule. I went on a cruise once and right before we checked in in Miami, the family in front of us was from Eastern Europe. They were missing some document that they needed to go on the cruise since we were visiting Mexico and some other islands. They weren't allowed to board. We got their suite since we were on standby. I bet this will happen too with this new rule.

I don't think this is a new rule. I'm a single parent and went on a cruise with another single parent and our kids 8 years ago and was asked for documentation multiple times. That was our first trip out of the country, and since then I've always provided documentation before they asked.

Also 22 years ago, my mom, who was a widow, took my brother and me on a trip to Australia. The consulate refused to issue visas for us without a copy of my dad's birth certificate.

[Anonymous]

WENT out of the country with my daughter and noone asked a thing

[Anonymous]

It is a new rule for Mexico as of 2014.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And it has to be translated into Spanish too (for Mexico)? What a pain in the a*%! I bet cruise ship companies aren't going to like this. Think of how many parents (or family members) will be affected by this new rule. I went on a cruise once and right before we checked in in Miami, the family in front of us was from Eastern Europe. They were missing some document that they needed to go on the cruise since we were visiting Mexico and some other islands. They weren't allowed to board. We got their suite since we were on standby. I bet this will happen too with this new rule.

I don't think this is a new rule. I'm a single parent and went on a cruise with another single parent and our kids 8 years ago and was asked for documentation multiple times. That was our first trip out of the country, and since then I've always provided documentation before they asked.

Also 22 years ago, my mom, who was a widow, took my brother and me on a trip to Australia. The consulate refused to issue visas for us without a copy of my dad's birth certificate.

It varies by the destination nation. Each nation is sovereign and has control over the documentation that they require. This is new in 2014 for Mexico although as you experienced, other nations have had this law for years. When I posted the quote above, I did say that it was just one example. The problem with cruises is that you often visit multiple countries and you are better off having the documentation than trying to research all of the different nation's entrance and departure laws including any changes made for the current year. When we went on a Southern Caribbean cruise, we traveled for 7 days, 5 countries, all with different laws.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Cruise is going to St B, St Martin and the Bahamas. Not Mexico.

Thanks for the advice.

[Anonymous]

St B = St. Thomas, rather.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Cruise is going to St B, St Martin and the Bahamas. Not Mexico.

Thanks for the advice.

St Thomas (British Virgin Islands) and St Martin (French West Indies) do not have any specific laws, but comply with all international child abduction laws. If they suspect that you have brought your child there without the consent of the other parent, they can and will detain your family until they have proof that you are authorized to travel with the child. This rarely happens, but if it does, you will miss your ship and will be responsible for finding your own way home. I took one Southern Caribbean cruise and there was one family who had a problem with this. They ended up clearing the matter up after we departed, but the family was responsible for paying for airfare for three (parent and two children) to the next port of call. They arrived the next day in time to catch us before debarking, but they missed the entire day in the port of call, so they lost all excursions and plans, and had to pay airfare and one night's lodging in the previous port. I overheard the mother ranting about this later in the week.

However, the Bahamas has this from the US State Dept web-site (which is very similar to Mexico, which I posted above): http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_989.html

Minors traveling unaccompanied or accompanied by a guardian or chaperone: What is required to enter The Bahamas may vary greatly from what is required to re-enter the country of origin. In general, a child under 16 years of age may travel into the Bahamas merely with proof of citizenship. Proof of citizenship can be a raised seal birth certificate and preferably a government issued photo ID if on a closed loop cruise or a U.S. passport if entering by air or private vessel.

The Bahamas requires compliance with regulations to divert child abduction. Any child traveling without one of the parents listed upon the birth certificate must have a letter from the absent parent granting permission for the child to travel. This should be sworn before a notary public and signed by the absent parent(s). If the parent is deceased, a certified death certificate may be necessary.

It is advisable to have the minor carry a written notarized consent letter from both parents (if both are listed on the child’s certificate of birth) before sending your child to travel as a minor with a guardian or chaperone.

If you don't plan to debark in the Bahamas and will stay on board, you can risk forgoing the above-mentioned letter, but I would get it just in case. It's pretty easy to draft the letter, have your ex- take it to a bank or credit union and have their signature notarized. Definitely worth spending that time rather than risking some sort of problem while on vacation.

[Anonymous]

Yes I work for a major airline and we ask for that letter based on the country they are traveling to. It is better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it.