Can my child travel with her grandparents???

[adrianna28]

My stepdaughter is traveling to our wedding with her grandparents. Is there any special letter of consent she needs to do this? She already has a passport but I heard about a "letter" minors need if they are traveling internationally. Does anyone know anything about this?

[MissyR]

In most cases you need a letter.

 

Mexican law requires that if only one parent (or grandparent, or other guardian) is accompanying a minor under 18 into Mexico, they must bear a notarized letter from the child's other parent (or guardian) granting permission to enter Mexico with the child, including the dates of travel, the accompanying adult's name, contact information, and a notarized signature.

 

Your stepdaughter will likely need a letter that is authorization from both her birth mother and father.

 

We had a similar issue with a guest who is attending our wedding with her kids (their father is deceased). She was told to carry a copy of the death certificate...

[ACDCDCAC]

as an airline employee i can let you know that currently there is no letter necessary.

 

BUT

 

when we travel with dougs kids we always have their mom write a letter stating that she knows they will be with us and the names, birthdates, dates of travel, etc (all pertinent info) and we have it notarized and bring it with us. since you are leaving the country it is always a good idea to cover your butt just in case the foreign country changes their laws, or the US for that matter, while you are traveling. no harm done to have it, altho chances are likely you wont need it.

[ACDCDCAC]

the info missy provided is correct altho not current.

 

the last 2 times we took the kids to mexico (within the last 12 months) it was not required, the time before that it was (about 20 months ago). i put people on airplanes every day in this situation and the letter is NOT necessary at this time.

 

but like i said, personally we bring one because you never know when the requirements could change on you while traveling.

[MissyR]

Good point. I guess the thing is although not "current" they could still give you a hard time - like anything really - so better to just have the letter.

 

Abbie - I wonder if it made a difference because Doug is their natural parent - Whether or not they might be more stringent if neither of the birth parents were traveling with the child..

[ACDCDCAC]

no its the same thing.

 

just coming off the busy summer, for example, we get a lot of youth church groups traveling to mexico to help build homes and such. currently those under 18 do not need a letter of consent to travel with the adult group leaders, just passport. in the past the letters were required, but it all changed last year when the US/MX passport laws changed.

 

not exactly sure how this affects CA citizens tho, so actually, missy, thinking about it now your info may be correct AND current for CA citizens connecting in US then continuing on to MX, seeing as how you would have to clear cutoms twice. didnt think about that. but for adrianna, no letter should be necessary.

[MissyR]

Interesting. Funny how what's correct and what's current isn't always the same thing!

[2bebridejamaica]

Thanks Abbie for the insite to this. I had already been on the phone with the Jamaican athorities and the US to make sure I had this right because Noah is coming down with us but going home with Jays parents. They said I had nothing to worry about because he was coming back into the country and all he needed was his passport. But they also mentioned it never hurts to have the letter just incase for other countries and travel.

[ret2010]

I've travelled alot of times with my kids and without my FI. All the times we would have a letter handy just in case but not always notarized. I've found that customs (well CA customs anyway) would question me more when returning back to Canada as opposed to entering another country. So I would definitely have a letter just in case anything happens, signed by both parents. good luck!

[kerryjbrown]

I would not leave the country without a letter. Due to kidnapping they will usually require this not across state lines, but international. I know this is what we were advised as we are traveling with our daughter (not mine) and need a letter from the mother. Better to be safe, than sorry at such a special event.