Traveling out of the country with one parent

[dncr]

What is the name of your state? CA

I have always had sole custody of my now 14-year-old daughter, although I never filed for it legally because the father was never interested in her (except for about 5 minutes when she was 8 but I haven't heard from him since). We're going on a cruise in August that departs from Vancouver, and I've heard that I have to have some kind of permission from the other parent. Is this still true? Any advice?

 

[Zigner]

What is the name of your state? CA

I have always had sole custody of my now 14-year-old daughter, although I never filed for it legally because the father was never interested in her (except for about 5 minutes when she was 8 but I haven't heard from him since). We're going on a cruise in August that departs from Vancouver, and I've heard that I have to have some kind of permission from the other parent. Is this still true? Any advice?

You will have to get a notarized document authorizing the travel - with exact dates and etc.

See http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/Documentation/index.htm for alot of info

 

[NYR]

When I go over the border with my son, I need to either produce a notarized letter from the father stating I can leave with him OR my custody paper stating I have sole custody.

 

[Zigner]

You do need a passport. Children over 14 yrs. do not need consent from the other parent for the passport. Check with the cruise line and ask your travel agent to be sure. I took my child on a cruise when he was 14 and did not need to have consent from the other parent.

It's not just the passport - it's what the Country you are traveling to/from asks for. Also, you can check with the cruise line and travel agent, but don't forget to check with the consulate of the country in question!

 

[Avoavo]

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

 

[Zigner]

A travel agent or the cruiseline should already know what you need for your child to travel on their cruiseline and to visit and return from thier ports of call.

Sure they SHOULD know - but the people who DO know is the consulate of the country you are traveling to/from.
As for the State Department web site - it is specific there in recommending that the consular information be reviewed for the countries one will be traveling to/in/from

 

[LdiJ]

If the other parent is truly absent from the child's life its possible to attach an affidavit to the child's passport application explaining why it is not possible to get the signatures of both parents. The state department does have the authority to make exceptions. They won't always grant the exception, but sometimes they will.