Do I really need a "consent to travel with a minor" letter?

[Shanti]

We were lucky we caught it as the customs agent in Halifax asked if I had a letter and I showed him the scribbled note and he was okay with it (I had her boarding pass showing she left the country with us in my back pocket if needed).

They never asked the boys a thing.. "Is this your dad? Where is your mom?", etc..

Interesting as I had the opposite experience. They didn't ask for the letter, but they did ask my son if I was his mother. I guess that shows that you can never know what to expect at the border.

 

[MouseMum]

I had prepped one (just a signed note from DH) when I took my DD (12 at the time) to Paris and Rome last year - and proceeded to completely forget it and left it at home. No one ever asked about it, no one ever asked her a single question when we were traveling (TO to Paris, Paris to Rome, Rome to TO).

It's funny that, aside from our passports, us Disney addicts would forget one of those "necessary" items....but on the other hand, likely not the foldable laundry basket or hotel room over-the-door organizer

This was meant in fun...I am definitely one of those people!

 

[22Tink]

I always take a letter when we travel without my husband. I’ve never been asked for it but I feel better having it just in case.

 

[star72232]

It's funny that, aside from our passports, us Disney addicts would forget one of those "necessary" items....but on the other hand, likely not the foldable laundry basket or hotel room over-the-door organizer

This was meant in fun...I am definitely one of those people!

I had so many lists with what to take, all our itinerary and ticket info, etc. I was hyper-prepared. And not only did I forget the letter, I also never thought about it until we were home again!

 

[jaceraden]

I've had trips where I didn't need it and other trips where I was asked for it. Oddly, I have only ever needed the letter when crossing back INTO Canada.

Also, a weird story. I crossed into the USA driving my car and with my kids but with my sister's passport. I had no problem at all despite the kids having a different name than my passport and the passport not matching the car registration. My only problem was when I tried to get home and discovered the error. My sister and I don't really look alike, FYI, but we obviously mixed up passports the last time we went shopping! What a nightmare to try to get home.

 

[BLAZEY]

Back in 1988 DH & his brother went to Disneyland with their maternal grandparents. MIL and FIL were divorced but had signed letter say the boys had consent to go with the grandparents. going down was fine, coming home CBSA interrogated Nana and Grandad for 30 mins because Grandad had placed the letter in his checked luggage, and the had not made it through to collect their bags. MIL was waiting arrivals for them literally 30 feet away. DH's brother had to pee and a border guard escorted him to the washroom only to pass MIL on the way. It was all sorted out quickly after that. DH was 12, BIL was 9 at the time. I have had a letter when I took DD then 5 to europe with my inlaws. I had a special letter for them to continue to travel with her when I had to return to Canada for work.

At age 15 I would have a letter with your DH's contact info, and both signed by both of you. I might have a witness too, but not need to shell out $$ for a notary at age 15.

 

[michelb]

Doesn't quite answers the OPs question as this is for travelling to Canada with minor child without spouse but Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Canada says you need:

I am travelling with my minor child without my spouse. What documents must I present?
You must present the following documents:

• A copy of the child’s birth certificate
• A letter of authorization signed by the parent who is not travelling, containing their address and telephone number, in English or French if possible, and
• A photocopy of the non-accompanying parent’s signed passport or national identity card

If the parents are separated or divorced, and share custody of the child, the parent travelling with the child should carry copies of the legal custody documents.

If the parents are separated or divorced and one of them has sole custody of the child, the letter of authorization may be signed by that parent only and they should bring a copy of the custody papers.

If one of the child’s parents is deceased, the travelling parent should bring a copy of the death certificate.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...-canada/minor-children-travelling-canada.html
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1022&top=16

So I wouldn't be surprised if US CBP have similar rules.

 

[MouseMum]

Got my letter off the government site and DH got an engineer friend to sign and stamp his seal. All is good!

 

[dancin Disney style]

I've been traveling with my kids but without my husband for about the last 20 years. The very first time we went to our family lawyer and got a letter because we had no idea what we were supposed to do. Since that letter cost me $600, the next time I used the letter as a template and made my own. We then went to the Townhall and had it notarized for $30. All trips that followed, which were 2-3 per year, we used my husbands company letterhead and included all the same info the lawyer had which was all of our names, passport numbers, flight info, hotel info, contact phone numbers and dates of travel. When my youngest was around 15 we stopped with the notary. My husband would just have his company controller witness the letter and include her info.

I personally have only been asked once for the letter but my kids have also travelled with other family members and friends. Those trips I would say it's been 50/50 on showing the letter.

I'm also in the better safe than sorry camp. In particular when you have non refundable things like airfare booked.

 

[lolomarie]

Does anyone know if you need a letter if you’re travelling without the other parent on a plane within Canada?

I've never needed anything. They don't even ask for the minors ID at the airport.

 

[Julie Bozsoki]

My DH and I will be taking our great niece and nephew to Disney World next August and we will be getting consent letters from their parents (same dad two different moms) but I was wondering if I will need to bring any other paperwork with us for them. We will be flying out of Toronto.

 

[Gigi22]

My DH and I will be taking our great niece and nephew to Disney World next August and we will be getting consent letters from their parents (same dad two different moms) but I was wondering if I will need to bring any other paperwork with us for them. We will be flying out of Toronto.

Letters from parents authorizing you to obtain medical treatment for the children.

 

[chelseabun76]

I always take one just in case, you never know. But even with my kids that have the last name as their dad and not me (plus for 2 of the trips we weren't together anymore with no legal agreement for custody), they barely even glanced at the letters on those trips. I had more peace of mind knowing that if they were required and scrutinized, I had it covered. All they did was ask my one daughter where dad was, and she just said he was at home. lol It wasn't a lie, he just wasn't at OUR home. haha!