Child issues at border?

[Brunette 0]

Hi all,

My sister and her daughter are coming to visit the long weekend in September. I'm a bit concerned about her ability to get across the border with her child and not the father. Anyway, my sister never did marry the father and he is not in the picture. Is this going to be a concern at the border when she tries to enter into the US. Any advice?

[TennCAN 1]

Hi all,

My sister and her daughter are coming to visit the long weekend in September. I'm a bit concerned about her ability to get across the border with her child and not the father. Anyway, my sister never did marry the father and he is not in the picture. Is this going to be a concern at the border when she tries to enter into the US. Any advice?

Brunette,

As I understand it, a letter is required from the other parent authorizing the travel. When my son and I were traveling to visit my fiance in Canda, customs (Canadian) requested it. I didn't have a letter so I had to call his father in Alaska(who really isn't in the picture) on my cell phone so the customs officer could talk to him. I think the requirement is the same traveling either way. Checkout this link http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/before/faq/ch...travel-en.asp#2 for more info. Good luck.

[G&A 1]

I went to las vegas last year with my cousin and her daughter and the US customs/immigration requested a letter signed by the father.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Hi there - I am in the same situation as your sister and here is what I did.

I took my daughter along to the states last winter to finally visit our new future home. We have not seen her father since she was 3 (she is now 15) and I had official sole custody papers done when she was 5. This however is not enough, sole custody does not immediately allow the person with custody to do whatever they want. My decree even includes the fact that I can travel with her wherever I wish without ever seeking his permission.

I decided that my 10 year old custody papers needed a little refreshing so I headed back to the lawyer and they filed further paperwork to the fact that we have not seen him or been contacted by him since the last custody papers were drawn up and that the order was still valid - $300 or so

The funny part was....the border guys never even bothered to ask for any custody papers....my husband to be told the guy this is my girlfriend and her daughter,,,here are their passports and that was the end of it.

I am glad I forked out the $300 though...the papers will be handy for the Montreal interview.

Udella

[KarenCee 3]

Same for me. I didn't know I had to have a letter when I got to the border the first time I flew there with my daughter. Thankfully the border agent was nice about it, considering it was very late...after 10:30pm...and it was obvious that my daughter was very tired. I offered her my cellphone to call my ex...he knew we were traveling since I had given him her complete itinerary as per the divorce settlement. She let me through but told me next time I was to have a letter from her father stating he was aware of the travel. My divorce papers give me permission to travel as long as her father knows. However, the letter is required by the border agents.

[misa 2]

Hypothetically speaking, if someone's child's long form birth certificate lists the father as "unknown", it's safe to say that no letter or anything else is necessary, yes? Just trying to think outside of the box here. I don't have any kids but maybe there is someone reading who would be in that situation (father not listed on BC for whatever reason & father not involved in child's life at all).

[Lance27 19]

The Canadian Border Officers are more particular on this than their US counterparts. If visiting Canada I would suggest the best option would be to get a letter from the parent not traveling with the child notarized and carry the letter with you.

This is a sample of what I use while traveling.

To Whom It May Concern:

I, FATHERS NAME along with MOTHERS NAME, are the lawful parents of

CHILDS NAME

Date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY):

Place of birth:

Birth Certificate Number:

Date of issuance of Birth Certificate (DD/MM/YY):

CHILDS NAME, has my consent to travel with

PARENTS NAME TRAVELING

US Birth Certificate Number: File ###### ; Birth ########

Date of issuance of Birth Certificate (DD/MM/YY):

Place of issuance of Birth Certificate:

To come visit Canada departing the USA and arriving at Toronto(YYZ) on MMDDYYYY on flight ####### and departing back to the USA from Toronto(YYZ) on MMDDYYYY on flight #######. During that period, CHILDS NAME will be residing with PARENTS/GUARDIANS NAME at the following address:

INSERT ADDRESS HERE

Any questions regarding this consent letter can be directed to the undersigned at:

HOME PHONE #

CELL PHONE #

YOUR NAME HERE

Edited August 12, 2007 by Lance27

[neiks 19]

The Canadian Border Officers are more particular on this than their US counterparts. If visiting Canada I would suggest the best option would be to get a letter from the parent not traveling with the child notarized and carry the letter with you.

This is a sample of what I use while traveling.

To Whom It May Concern:

I, FATHERS NAME along with MOTHERS NAME, are the lawful parents of

CHILDS NAME

Date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY):

Place of birth:

Birth Certificate Number:

Date of issuance of Birth Certificate (DD/MM/YY):

CHILDS NAME, has my consent to travel with

PARENTS NAME TRAVELING

US Birth Certificate Number: File ###### ; Birth ########

Date of issuance of Birth Certificate (DD/MM/YY):

Place of issuance of Birth Certificate:

To come visit Canada departing the USA and arriving at Toronto(YYZ) on MMDDYYYY on flight ####### and departing back to the USA from Toronto(YYZ) on MMDDYYYY on flight #######. During that period, CHILDS NAME will be residing with PARENTS/GUARDIANS NAME at the following address:

INSERT ADDRESS HERE

Any questions regarding this consent letter can be directed to the undersigned at:

HOME PHONE #

CELL PHONE #

YOUR NAME HERE

Yes, spot on advice. This is a great example of a consent letter. 2 Thumbs up!!!

[neiks 19]

Hypothetically speaking, if someone's child's long form birth certificate lists the father as "unknown", it's safe to say that no letter or anything else is necessary, yes? Just trying to think outside of the box here. I don't have any kids but maybe there is someone reading who would be in that situation (father not listed on BC for whatever reason & father not involved in child's life at all).

That is correct too. If the BC states "unknown" then no consent letter necessary.

[KarenCee 3]

So a letter of this nature, like the one posted by Lance27, is needed each and every time I travel with my daughter? I mean, each time I travel with my daughter I need a NEW letter, newly signed and notarised, etc. before I travel? SIGH...my ex gives me such a hard time about this and makes this SO friggin difficult...just to be an a$. What can I do if he refuses to give me a letter of consent? Just don't travel? It took me MONTHS to get him to fill out the special circumstances form with notarisation just to obtain my daughter's passport.

*BIG SIGH*

Edited August 12, 2007 by KarenCee

[neiks 19]

So a letter of this nature, like the one posted by Lance27, is needed each and every time I travel with my daughter? I mean, each time I travel with my daughter I need a NEW letter, newly signed and notarised, etc. before I travel? SIGH...my ex gives me such a hard time about this and makes this SO friggin difficult...just to be an a$. What can I do if he refuses to give me a letter of consent? Just don't travel? It took me MONTHS to get him to fill out the special circumstances form with notarisation just to obtain my daughter's passport.

No, you do not need a new letter each time. You can have a general letter such as the father stating that he is aware of the frequent travels across the border and has no objections to it at anytime, etc etc.... I just stated that the example Lance gave was an excellent example. It can be modified to fit your circumstances. Here is the link to info on the Missing Children's program and some advice for travelling with children across the border. http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/media/facts-faits/046-eng.html

[Brunette 0]

Thanks everyone for your posts. Should this letter be notarized?

Also, there's another issue. My niece's father is actually in jail awaiting his sentencing. *sigh* What is he is supposed to use as a contact address and phone number?

[vnoe 0]

Does your sister have full custody of the child? If so the court paperwork showing this will also be accepted. That is all that I have in my case anyways and I have never had a problem.