Minor Authorization

[shenaniganzz]

If my sister is traveling with her minor children and separated from their father, does she need to complete the NCL authorization form showing she has their father's permission to travel with them out of the country?

 

TIA!

[scapino]

If my sister is traveling with her minor children and separated from their father, does she need to complete the NCL authorization form showing she has their father's permission to travel with them out of the country?

 

TIA!

 

Yes she does. My daughter (and her son) traveled with my wife and me and we needed notorized permission from my grandson's daddy in order to travel

[Partyatsea]

L and I took my 2 sons (12 & 10) on the Epic a few weeks back and we were never asked for the authorization form but we had it fully filled out and notarized just in case. I really don't see the lady behind the check in desk looking to closely for things which may slow down the embarkation lines.

[RoadTripFanatic]

Yes! I'd rather be safe than sorry. Not only can they refuse to let you board the ship but you can have problems with customs on the way back into the country.

[enyliram]

took my 10yr old grandson on the Epic dec 18th and had to produce the signed, notarized letter of authorization upon check in. it was photocopied and returned to me.form is downloadable from NCL webcite

[musicorn]

I am cruising on the Pearl this June and have not heard of this process before.

 

Is this only something for American citizens or is it universal? I am Australian.

[ShedQueen77]

NCL's website says:

 

"If the accompanying adult is not the minor's parent or legal guardian a notarized PARENTAL/GUARDIAN CONSENT LETTER that authorizes the minor's travel and further authorizes medical treatment in case of an emergency must be delivered to an NCL representative at the pier. Failure to produce this letter at embarkation may result in boarding being denied, with no refund of cruise fare provided. "

 

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruiser/cmsPages.html?pageId=VisaRequirements#Age

 

 

That being said, my kids travel with me and my husband (their stepfather) and I always have my ex husband (the kids' Dad) sign and notarize a consent even though I am quite obviously their legal guardian as their mother. Why? Because you just never know....and I'd rather take a few minutes to have it than to be VERY sorry that I don't. My kids were questioned at a security checkpoint in the airport once because our names aren't the same and I was doubly happy I had that letter with me just in case.

 

I didn't see where NCL has a copy of the form available....but here is one that I use that I modified a bit to suit my needs. I just took it to my bank with my ex and had it notarized when he signed:

 

http://seauonboard.com/Parental%20Authorization.htm

[ncyankee]

I'm traveling alone with my 13 year old in April. I was told to make sure I have a notarized letter from my husband. I've traveled before and haven't been asked for it -- but why take that chance.

[patseacruiser]

Form for NCL can be found here:

 

http://www.ncl.com/csimages/214/345/ParentGuardianForm_2.pdf

[ShedQueen77]

Form for NCL can be found here:

 

http://www.ncl.com/csimages/214/345/ParentGuardianForm_2.pdf

 

Thank you, Pat! I couldn't find it anywhere on the website and I clicked darn near every link under the travel documentation tab.

[musicorn]

Looks like I will need to contact my T/A because my son does not have any contact with his father and he will not sign any document but I have Residency of the child. Got to love Legal issues between different countries. :confused:

 

Thanks for the information and the form. Much appreciated. :D

[patseacruiser]

It does say if you have sole custody of the minor then you do not need the form but I'm guessing you should have the paperwork that shows you have sole custody.

[musicorn]

It does say if you have sole custody of the minor then you do not need the form but I'm guessing you should have the paperwork that shows you have sole custody.

 

That will not be a problem as I have that in my folder with our Passports etc. Just depends if USA Law sees Residency the same as Custody. We no longer have custody of a child in Australia only residency )where the child lives) and Contact (who the child spends time with). Just hope this does not stop us going.

[victoriasmommy]

Looks like I will need to contact my T/A because my son does not have any contact with his father and he will not sign any document but I have Residency of the child. Got to love Legal issues between different countries. :confused:

 

Thanks for the information and the form. Much appreciated. :D

 

this sounds like a very silly thing to say & of course you should try to be as prepared as possible but if your kid has the same last name as you... & you are traveling with a partner. chances are very slight you will be ever be questioned.

as mom with full sole custody, traveling with my bf internationally and domestically very often. no one has ever said "do you have her fathers permission to travel?" because they assume that my bf is.

[njhorseman]

this sounds like a very silly thing to say & of course you should try to be as prepared as possible but if your kid has the same last name as you... & you are traveling with a partner. chances are very slight you will be ever be questioned.

as mom with full sole custody, traveling with my bf internationally and domestically very often. no one has ever said "do you have her fathers permission to travel?" because they assume that my bf is.

 

They assume your boyfriend is the father when the last name on his passport is different than your last name and your daughter's last name? Somehow I don't think so...

 

Not every country has laws requiring you to prove you have the other parent's permission to take the child, so they're not going to care or check. According to NCL, Canada is a country that does care, so presumably your documents would be scrutinized if you travel there:

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruiser/cmsPages.html?pageId=VisaRequirements

 

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Bringing Minors In to Canada

Canadian entry requirements stipulate that a child under the age of 18 traveling alone, or with person(s) other than both parents, should be in possession of a letter (preferably notarized) from the parents or legal guardian containing:

 

Authorization for the child to travel with another person and to be outside the country;

 

The name and a 24-hour contact telephone number of the parents or guardian; and

 

The destination and length of stay in Canada.

 

Adoptive parents, legal guardians or persons separated or divorced are advised to keep legal and other relevant documents available in order to clarify custody rights.

[patseacruiser]

this sounds like a very silly thing to say & of course you should try to be as prepared as possible but if your kid has the same last name as you... & you are traveling with a partner. chances are very slight you will be ever be questioned.

as mom with full sole custody, traveling with my bf internationally and domestically very often. no one has ever said "do you have her fathers permission to travel?" because they assume that my bf is.

 

This may seem silly to you but when you're paying all that money to travel and not have what you need because you think it will be assumed that you have permission to take the child out of the country is a mistake I wouldn't want to make. If in Australia that is your proof of custody then that is probably what is needed. I would definitely carry that with me.

[musicorn]

I usually carry my Court Order when I travel so that is not an issue. I would prefer to clarify it all now rather than be left without a holiday due to a legal issue. I have emailed my T/A and I will let you know when I get a response.

 

Thanks for all of your thoughts and opinions.

[tinkerfenwick]

This is confusing me now...

 

I'm in my late 30's and travelling with my 19 year old brother laster in January - we have different surnames.

 

He doesnt drink so dont need to get an alcohol disclaimer signed, but do I still need to get an authority form signed for him by his mother & father (who actually lives in South Africa)...?

 

We are on British Passports and the countries we are travelling to/from allow him to travel on his own over the age of 18 with his parents consent...?

[musicorn]

My understanding is it is only for those under 18 years. But not exactly sure on that sorry.

[JerseyGem]

This is confusing me now...

 

I'm in my late 30's and travelling with my 19 year old brother laster in January - we have different surnames.

 

He doesnt drink so dont need to get an alcohol disclaimer signed, but do I still need to get an authority form signed for him by his mother & father (who actually lives in South Africa)...?

 

We are on British Passports and the countries we are travelling to/from allow him to travel on his own over the age of 18 with his parents consent...?

 

Your 19 yr old brother is not considered a minor in the USA. The following link (and cut & paste of part of that site) explains the age as well as the docs required.

 

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/268/related/1

 

Traveling with children - Child traveling with one parent or someone who is not a parent or legal guardian

Published 01/23/2003 06:35 PM | Updated 06/15/2010 12:26 PM |

 

 

 

If a child (under the age of 19) is traveling with only one parent or someone who is not a parent or legal guardian, what paperwork should the adult have to indicate permission or legal authority to have that child in their care?

Due to the increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and as possible victims of child pornography, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, the adult have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating "I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter. He/She/They has/have my permission to do so."

CBP also suggests that this note be notarized.

While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if we do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed. If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (deceased, sole custody, etc.) any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., would be useful.

 

[victoriasmommy]

This may seem silly to you but when you're paying all that money to travel and not have what you need because you think it will be assumed that you have permission to take the child out of the country is a mistake I wouldn't want to make. If in Australia that is your proof of custody then that is probably what is needed. I would definitely carry that with me.

 

well to clarify. we both have duel citizenship so whether we are going in or coming out, we are actually going home.

But I def do need to get a copy from Dept of Social Services here that I have full legal and physical custody, course itll take awhile, and being a 3rd world country they will kinda giggle behind my back not understanding why it would ever be necessary, but now I suppose I am aware that it could happen.

But if they stopped every unmarried couple traveling with a kid with the mothers last name they'd be very busy.

[victoriasmommy]

Your 19 yr old brother is not considered a minor in the USA. The following link (and cut & paste of part of that site) explains the age as well as the docs required.

 

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/268/related/1

 

Traveling with children - Child traveling with one parent or someone who is not a parent or legal guardian

Published 01/23/2003 06:35 PM | Updated 06/15/2010 12:26 PM |

 

 

 

If a child (under the age of 19) is traveling with only one parent or someone who is not a parent or legal guardian, what paperwork should the adult have to indicate permission or legal authority to have that child in their care?

Due to the increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and as possible victims of child pornography, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, the adult have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating "I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter. He/She/They has/have my permission to do so."

CBP also suggests that this note be notarized.

While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if we do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed. If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (deceased, sole custody, etc.) any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., would be useful.

 

 

so a copy of the birth certificate with my name and no father listed might be helpful to take along? I was thinking its strange the passport doesn't have parents names on it.

[victoriasmommy]

so a copy of the birth certificate with my name and no father listed might be helpful to take along? I was thinking its strange the passport doesn't have parents names on it.

 

 

i think ive asked this before. but very curious. i know they have the right to detain and demand... but its all discretionary.

but don't they have it all on the computer.. and can see that my DD and I have been going in & out of the country quite often together since she was born?

[musicorn]

T/A got back to me and if I have Sole Custody (hopefully Residency means the same) all I need is the Court Order. However, to be on the safe side I will complete a Statutory Declaration, which is notarized, stating that I exercise day to day care of my son and that he has not had any physical contact with his father since 2002. I usually carry my Divorce and new Marriage Certificate as I sign on behalf of my daughter with disabilities using my new married name. Hopefully all of that that will be enough if we are questioned.

[JerseyGem]

so a copy of the birth certificate with my name and no father listed might be helpful to take along? I was thinking its strange the passport doesn't have parents names on it.

 

Even if your child has a passport, you still could be questioned if trying to leave the USA (or return LOL!) by yourself (that is, without both of the child's parents present) (C&BP assumes a child has two biological parents). The passport proves citizenship and identity but does not prove that you are not trying to abduct the child. So yes, taking the BC showing no father would help. Or a court order showing that you have sole custody (which you wouldn't necessariily have or otherwise need- if for instance there was no "father" such as a sperm donor situation, etc.) Is this a hassle and maybe a little absurd? Yes- and you might not even be asked for any documentation. However, if there is an attempted child abduction (involving C&BP) the day before your cruise, they may decide to be very strict and go over all docs with a fine-toothed comb. Take it just to be cautious.