Wife traveling with 17 y.o. son to Germany w/o me; my permission required?
#1
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Wife traveling with 17 y.o. son to Germany w/o me; my permission required?
Hi. Hope this is the right place to ask.
My wife is traveling to Germany with our 17 y.o. son for 11 days. May I assume she does not need some sort of letter from me giving my assent?
There are no custody/separation/divorce or any other marital issues of any kind between us.
Thank you.
My wife is traveling to Germany with our 17 y.o. son for 11 days. May I assume she does not need some sort of letter from me giving my assent?
There are no custody/separation/divorce or any other marital issues of any kind between us.
Thank you.
#2
Join Date: Nov 2007
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No one in immigration will know that you and your wife don't have any issues. But, it's very doubtful that anything will be asked of a 17 year old traveling from the US to Germany.
If you are concerned, it's simple enough to fill out a permission to travel letter and get your signature notarized.
If you are concerned, it's simple enough to fill out a permission to travel letter and get your signature notarized.
#4
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#5
Join Date: May 2005
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Certain countries, such a Mexico, might require permission from the other parent to enter their country, but Germany and the EU in general are not on that list.
#7
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17 year olds in the EU routinely travel internationally into and out of the Schengen zone without their parents and do so without any parental permission letters. The EU passport control is more likely to care about sufficient funds, onward travel and health insurance coverage but that is so rarely asked of US citizens that I would be surprised if that happens.
#8
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#10
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Brazil:
http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...ry/brazil.html
Venezuela:
http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...venezuela.html
Russia:
http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...ry/russia.html
Canada:
http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...ry/canada.html
As for international child abduction it happens a lot more frequently than you think, mainly by relatives:
http://travel.state.gov/content/chil...n/english.html
According to this Canadian government website, hundred of Canadian children are wrongfully taken from Canada every year:
http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/publi...ild-abductions
Last edited by lost*in*cyberspace; Jun 29, 2014 at 11:03 am
#11
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,723
What we believe has nothing to do with the law. This is a real issue and the laws have been made for a reason. There are many countries who require documentation for minors traveling with only one parent. Just a few:
Brazil:
http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...ry/brazil.html
Venezuela:
http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...venezuela.html
Russia:
http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...ry/russia.html
Canada:
http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...ry/canada.html
As for international child abduction it happens a lot more frequently than you think, mainly by relatives:
http://travel.state.gov/content/chil...n/english.html
According to this Canadian government website, hundred of Canadian children are wrongfully taken from Canada every year:
http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/publi...ild-abductions
Brazil:
http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...ry/brazil.html
Venezuela:
http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...venezuela.html
Russia:
http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...ry/russia.html
Canada:
http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...ry/canada.html
As for international child abduction it happens a lot more frequently than you think, mainly by relatives:
http://travel.state.gov/content/chil...n/english.html
According to this Canadian government website, hundred of Canadian children are wrongfully taken from Canada every year:
http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/publi...ild-abductions
You should also consider that some of those rules are more theory than fact. Since becoming a single parent I have taken my son to Canada by land, sea and air and never been asked for such a letter or a copy of the custody order.
#12
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Well, since the OP asked about Germany, this list isn't particularly relevant. Neither Germany nor the EU require such a letter.
You should also consider that some of those rules are more theory than fact. Since becoming a single parent I have taken my son to Canada by land, sea and air and never been asked for such a letter or a copy of the custody order.
You should also consider that some of those rules are more theory than fact. Since becoming a single parent I have taken my son to Canada by land, sea and air and never been asked for such a letter or a copy of the custody order.
I know you've posted you were never asked for this, but I've been asked for it every time I've traveled alone to Canada and Mexico with my daughter. I was also asked for it in the UK this year. I don't believe a 17 year old will be asked for it anywhere.
#13
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,723
I believe this poster responded to another poster who did not believe any country would ask for it, and thus, the information is relevant in this thread.
I know you've posted you were never asked for this, but I've been asked for it every time I've traveled alone to Canada and Mexico with my daughter. I was also asked for it in the UK this year. I don't believe a 17 year old will be asked for it anywhere.
I know you've posted you were never asked for this, but I've been asked for it every time I've traveled alone to Canada and Mexico with my daughter. I was also asked for it in the UK this year. I don't believe a 17 year old will be asked for it anywhere.
If you regularly have problems with immigration officers, as you seem to be suggesting, perhaps there's something in your conduct raising a red flag? It is not the norm for the UK to request proof of custody, nor does the State Department website state that the UK requires such proof, which it does for the other countries mentioned, such as Mexico.
#14
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Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓
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Well, since the OP asked about Germany, this list isn't particularly relevant. Neither Germany nor the EU require such a letter.
You should also consider that some of those rules are more theory than fact. Since becoming a single parent I have taken my son to Canada by land, sea and air and never been asked for such a letter or a copy of the custody order.
You should also consider that some of those rules are more theory than fact. Since becoming a single parent I have taken my son to Canada by land, sea and air and never been asked for such a letter or a copy of the custody order.
#15
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 707
Go read post #5.
If you regularly have problems with immigration officers, as you seem to be suggesting, perhaps there's something in your conduct raising a red flag? It is not the norm for the UK to request proof of custody, nor does the State Department website state that the UK requires such proof, which it does for the other countries mentioned, such as Mexico.
If you regularly have problems with immigration officers, as you seem to be suggesting, perhaps there's something in your conduct raising a red flag? It is not the norm for the UK to request proof of custody, nor does the State Department website state that the UK requires such proof, which it does for the other countries mentioned, such as Mexico.