Don't have a different surname from your children
Dec 3, 2013, 2:09 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 7,605
Don't have a different surname from your children
"I was at JFK airport in the USA with my family.
"The immigration officer looked at my mum’s passport, then my sister's.
"He looked up and said: You have different surnames, where's the father?'
"My mum said that he was in England. He then asked for proof that my mum wasn’t abducting us.
"I was shocked. My mum showed him her divorce papers, our birth certificates, her previous passport with our surname and her proof of marriage.
"He wasn't interested and said that if we were entering the USA we would need a written letter from our dad giving permission for my mum to take us abroad.
"He even threatened to send us home.
"I was staggered. We were eventually allowed through, but it marred the start of our holiday and is something I will not forget."
Moral of the tale - if you are going to kidnap your children ensure the surname is the same as yours
"The immigration officer looked at my mum’s passport, then my sister's.
"He looked up and said: You have different surnames, where's the father?'
"My mum said that he was in England. He then asked for proof that my mum wasn’t abducting us.
"I was shocked. My mum showed him her divorce papers, our birth certificates, her previous passport with our surname and her proof of marriage.
"He wasn't interested and said that if we were entering the USA we would need a written letter from our dad giving permission for my mum to take us abroad.
"He even threatened to send us home.
"I was staggered. We were eventually allowed through, but it marred the start of our holiday and is something I will not forget."
Moral of the tale - if you are going to kidnap your children ensure the surname is the same as yours
Dec 3, 2013, 7:29 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Back in YYZ after 3 years of expat life in LHR
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I have a different surname and different address from my children. My ex and I traveled frequently with them when they were younger (not together - traveled as single parent + children), and while we always wrote the required "i give permission for my children to travel" letter, neither of us was ever asked for it.
I assume I was never asked because while they have a different name and address, I am the mom, and my ex was never asked because they have his name and address.
You may just have had someone who was overly diligent or with something to prove.
I assume I was never asked because while they have a different name and address, I am the mom, and my ex was never asked because they have his name and address.
You may just have had someone who was overly diligent or with something to prove.
Dec 3, 2013, 10:17 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: YUL
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Posts: 2,103
This kid's petition is pointless. The different last names wasn't the problem. There are lots of married people with different last names...Traveling with only one parent was the problem.
When traveling internationally with only one parent present, you should always be ready to present documentation permitting travel from the other parent.
Mexico, for example, requires this of anyone under 18 travelling with only one parent.
When traveling internationally with only one parent present, you should always be ready to present documentation permitting travel from the other parent.
Mexico, for example, requires this of anyone under 18 travelling with only one parent.
Dec 4, 2013, 12:20 am
#4
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Location: MEL CHC
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I know a couple who are legally married, but with different surnames and have 3 children. The son has the fathers surname. The 2 daughters have the mothers surname. Now than does result in questions
Dec 4, 2013, 1:56 am
#5
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This kid's petition is pointless. The different last names wasn't the problem. There are lots of married people with different last names...Traveling with only one parent was the problem.
When traveling internationally with only one parent present, you should always be ready to present documentation permitting travel from the other parent.
Mexico, for example, requires this of anyone under 18 travelling with only one parent.
When traveling internationally with only one parent present, you should always be ready to present documentation permitting travel from the other parent.
Mexico, for example, requires this of anyone under 18 travelling with only one parent.
http://headliner.openjaw.com/020513_...ter-of-consent
IME, most countries require no such letter.
Dec 4, 2013, 8:56 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: BOS
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Had an experience crossing from US to Canada by car with friends from the UK. Two parents, two kids, all with the same surname. They got the third degree from Canadian immigration.
I don't think it is the names, countries, etc. It is an overabundance of caution.
I don't think it is the names, countries, etc. It is an overabundance of caution.
Dec 4, 2013, 9:36 am
#7
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This kid's petition is pointless. The different last names wasn't the problem. There are lots of married people with different last names...Traveling with only one parent was the problem.
When traveling internationally with only one parent present, you should always be ready to present documentation permitting travel from the other parent.
Mexico, for example, requires this of anyone under 18 travelling with only one parent.
When traveling internationally with only one parent present, you should always be ready to present documentation permitting travel from the other parent.
Mexico, for example, requires this of anyone under 18 travelling with only one parent.
Dec 4, 2013, 11:45 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PDX
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My divorced parents had joint custody of me growing up and always carried notarized permissions from the other when traveling with me between the US and Canada. Seems ridiculous, but even when I was 17 the CBSA read the letter carefully. International parental abduction is a very real concern.
Dec 4, 2013, 3:31 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: California. USA
Posts: 1,404
My divorced parents had joint custody of me growing up and always carried notarized permissions from the other when traveling with me between the US and Canada. Seems ridiculous, but even when I was 17 the CBSA read the letter carefully. International parental abduction is a very real concern.
My x did not spreak english nor do we have notary in Sweden. It got to the point that the dad got really irritated for the question he was asked not understanding them
Dec 4, 2013, 4:02 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2012
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This happened to my friends, Canadian citizens, when the mother was bringing them out of Canada to visit their father (working in HKG). I suppose from the border guard's POV there was nothing to back up their story, though she could easily have forged the letter that the dad eventually had to post back to Canada...
Dec 4, 2013, 8:08 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 471
This happened to my friends, Canadian citizens, when the mother was bringing them out of Canada to visit their father (working in HKG). I suppose from the border guard's POV there was nothing to back up their story, though she could easily have forged the letter that the dad eventually had to post back to Canada...
Dec 4, 2013, 8:40 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
This kid's petition is pointless. The different last names wasn't the problem. There are lots of married people with different last names...Traveling with only one parent was the problem.
When traveling internationally with only one parent present, you should always be ready to present documentation permitting travel from the other parent.
Mexico, for example, requires this of anyone under 18 travelling with only one parent.
When traveling internationally with only one parent present, you should always be ready to present documentation permitting travel from the other parent.
Mexico, for example, requires this of anyone under 18 travelling with only one parent.
Dec 4, 2013, 10:15 pm
#14
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Dec 5, 2013, 1:12 am
#15
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,578
Many countries require a letter from the parent who is not present (or other documentation such as proof of sole custody) if a child is traveling with only one parent.
Whether the officers actually check or not is a different matter, but the rule is on the books.
It has nothing to do with last name.
Whether the officers actually check or not is a different matter, but the rule is on the books.
It has nothing to do with last name.