taking kids across border to canada question

[doodlebug 3]

My kids are going wednesday with their dad and stepmom to the Canadian side of Niagra Falls for a week. My ex said that he called someone and they said all the kids need is their birth certificate. He's going to bring their passports too but they expired and this trip was kind of a spontaneous idea on his part so he didn't have time to get them renewed.

My question is, don't I have to sign something to allow him to take them out of the country? He said the guy told him it was fine since all the last names are the same but I'm just worried that they'll face trouble at the border either coming or going.

Anyone with experience with this?

[KarenCee 3]

My experience is from the flip side of this. When I flew to NS to see my then fiancé all I needed to do was provide a complete itinerary of her travel plans (along with contact numbers) to her father (I have joint custody, but I'm the primary parent). I didn't need anything signed nor did I have to have his permission. You might want to read over your divorce settlement to see if there's anything in there about international travel. My attorney made sure to include a clause indicating our responsibility should one decide to take our child out of the country.

All the kids will need for now is their birth certificate, since land crossings won't require a passport until January 2008. If going by plane, they would need new passports.

Edited July 16, 2007 by KarenCee

[doodlebug 3]

My experience is from the flip side of this. When I flew to NS to see my then fiancé all I needed to do was provide a complete itinerary of her travel plans (along with contact numbers) to her father (I have joint custody, but I'm the primary parent). I didn't need anything signed nor did I have to have his permission. You might want to read over your divorce settlement to see if there's anything in there about international travel. My attorney made sure to include a clause indicating our responsibility should one decide to take our child out of the country.

All the kids will need for now is their birth certificate, since land crossings won't require a passport until January 2008. If going by plane, they would need new passports.

Thanks. There's nothing in the custody agreement so I guess they're all set. When he has taken them to Aruba he hasn't needed anything either come to think of it. Kind of scarey when you think of all the abductions, you know?

[Jeremy + Kristy 0]

My experience is from the flip side of this. When I flew to NS to see my then fiancé all I needed to do was provide a complete itinerary of her travel plans (along with contact numbers) to her father (I have joint custody, but I'm the primary parent). I didn't need anything signed nor did I have to have his permission. You might want to read over your divorce settlement to see if there's anything in there about international travel. My attorney made sure to include a clause indicating our responsibility should one decide to take our child out of the country.

All the kids will need for now is their birth certificate, since land crossings won't require a passport until January 2008. If going by plane, they would need new passports.

Thanks. There's nothing in the custody agreement so I guess they're all set. When he has taken them to Aruba he hasn't needed anything either come to think of it. Kind of scarey when you think of all the abductions, you know?

It probably wouldn't hurt for him to have a notarized letter from you saying that you approve of them going. Or, if you don't have the time or inclination an un-notarized letter that he can would be a prudent thing for him to carry with him, as well as his copy of the divorce papers.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I have had a friend travelling with his minor children into Canada with the same name as their father who had joint custody with his ex. The border authorities called the joint custody mother on the phone to ensure she knew the children were with the father and crossing the border. (She did and there was no problems). You might want to make sure the children's father have your phone number available if they need to or decide to make a call just to verify that it is with your knowledge.

Edited July 16, 2007 by Kathryn41

[KiKi 0]

I use this everytime I take my kids to Canada, but have never been asked for it....

you can copy and paste it and use it if you'd like.

Better to be safe and have it ........

LETTER OF CONSENT TO TRAVEL

I ___________________________________________________provide my consent for

NAME OF PARENT

my child(ren) ____________________________________________ to travel with

NAME OF CHILD(REN)

________________________________ to ____________________________ from

NAME(S) OF ADULT TRAVEL COMPANION(S) COUNTRY/COUNTRIES

________________________________ to ____________________________ .

DATE DATE

(List specific travel information in the space below such as airline, flight number, cruise line and ship or tour operator.)

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Signed_____________________________________________________________

PARENT'S NAME

Telephone/Contact:__________________________________________________

Address:

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

[Yaads 0]

When we were younger my mom always made sure that she had a letter. We were traveling once to Canada just for the day (mom, aunt and us 3 kids) when we were all escorted into the immigration office and the kids were seperated, we were young probably in the 6-10 age range, all of us kids were interviewed and asked questions about when we saw our dad last, did our dad know we were going to Canada with our mom and aunt...all sorts of questions. They weren't able to get ahold of my dad via phone so we were interviewed rather extensively. They also asked for tons of proof from my mom and aunt to prove we were her kids and she wasn't leaving the country forever. I think it was just an overzealous border agent but my mom never took any chances after that. Better to be safe than sorry.

The letter from Kiki looks fantastic