Traveling Internationally as a Single Parent

[anjuan]

I'm traveling with my daughter (13) to Barcelona for a Mediterranean cruise in June. I was reading Rick Steve's book and it mentioned if you travel solo with a child that you should have a letter from the other parent granting permission to travel internationally. The complication with my situation is that my daughter's father died last year. Does anyone know if I brought along a copy of his death certificate with her passport, etc if that would be sufficient?

 

[bumbershoot]

Yes. Maybe also her birth certificate to prove her dad’s name?

I’m sorry about your and your daughter’s loss.

 

[Shanti]

I'm traveling with my daughter (13) to Barcelona for a Mediterranean cruise in June. I was reading Rick Steve's book and it mentioned if you travel solo with a child that you should have a letter from the other parent granting permission to travel internationally. The complication with my situation is that my daughter's father died last year. Does anyone know if I brought along a copy of his death certificate with her passport, etc if that would be sufficient?

Different countries have different rules. Nothing beyond a passport has been required for my cruises with my son to the Bahamas and Caribbean, even though we have different last names, but I know that going into Canada for our Alaska cruise will require written permission from his father. I don't know about Europe. I recommend calling DCL to ask.

 

[Ravenne]

I'm sorry for your loss.

My husband and kid are doing their own excursions that crosses into Canada, without me, and I was told I had to write a letter of consent. I don't know what alternative proof of consent would be required or permitted in situations like yours. I also recommend calling DCL to ask.

 

[ktb2002]

I’m widowed and even though my son and I both have passports I still carry birth certificates and my husbands death certificate. I’ve never been asked to provide those papers (Bahamas and Caribbean) but I’d rather have them than be denied boarding. I would also think you may be asked at the airport for an international flight.

 

[poohj80]

I took my daughter on a Canadian Coastal cruise out of NYC in 2016, we have different last names, and I was never asked for a letter from her father. I have also driven her into Canada and was never asked for more than our passports. Better to be safe than sorry though.

 

[olafLover]

.

 

[msmama]

No one has ever cared for my son and I (and we have different last names), BUT I do have my ex write a letter when we travel internationally (and I write one when they travel internationally without me). We've never been asked for it. That said, I would have a copy of the death certificate just in case (one of those, if you have it you'll never need it situations, most likely).
And sorry for your loss.

Actually I just remembered this story - my ex was in Spain last year with his "new" family (girlfriend and her children who have their fathers name, plus I think a friend). So they were a group of like 6 people with 4 different last names going through customs together and he said they did comment on it, but it wasn't an issue in any way.

 

[ees96]

I am a single mom with sole custody of my 8 year old. We have different last names. I have never needed anything beyond a passport in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. I was, however, asked for a copy of the custody papers when we drove to Canada. I always take all the paperwork with me even on a domestic trip just in case. I've never needed them domestically, but he has been asked at airports on several occasions if I am his Mom or who he is travelling with. Good luck!

 

[anjuan]

Thanks for all of the great advice everyone! I'll make sure to bring all of the documents along with me. My situation is even a little more complicated because my daughter is adopted internationally, but I'm already used to bringing along a copy of the adoption papers as well.