Traveling with minor child

[disneydave]

Will be sailing out of San Juan in Jan with my 15 yr old daughter. Her mother -my wife is unable to go his time. We all share the same last name.

Do we need any special paperwork from mom so I can take her on the ship?

I know if our last names were not the same I would need a notary signed letter but not sure since we are married and have the last name what is required. We will be traveling with passports.

Thanks in advance.

[njmomof2]

It always makes sense to have a letter signed by mom saying she's aware of you taking daughter out of the country on a cruise and giving her permission. Even with the same last names.

 

Since there is no divorce situation, it will be easy to have it done and have it notarized. They may never ask, but if they do, you'll have it.

 

No one wants to risk being left at the pier for a single sheet of paper.

[meatball_nyc]

Yes you will need a notarized letter from the parent not going on the cruise giving their permission for you to take child out of the country.

May or May not be asked for it. Have it anyway!!

 

 

 

~robin and brian

(summertime jersey shore beach bums)

 

Norwegian Breakaway 2014

Carnival Miracle 2010

Carnival Legend 2006

[tfrcal]

If a child (under the age of 18) 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, friends, or in groups*, a note signed by both parents) stating "I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter/group. He/She/They has/have my permission to do so." See our Q&A

parental consent.

* School groups, teen tours, vacation groups.

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.

 

Adults traveling with children should also be aware that, while the U.S. does not require this documentation, many other countries do; failure to produce notarized permission letters and/or birth certificates could result in travelers being refused entry (Canada has very strict requirements in this regard).

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

[dz9yvr]

If neither parent is on the cruise, you may want to get a letter from both parents.

[disneydave]

OK. CBP not withstanding I got a confirmation email from Celebrity that as long as we have the same last name no permission slip is needed from the other parent.

[Ma Bell]

Since Celebrity is not Customs or Immigration, I would rather be safe than sorry. The shore side customer service department's answers are not always reliable.

[disneydave]

Since Celebrity is not Customs or Immigration, I would rather be safe than sorry. The shore side customer service department's answers are not always reliable.

 

 

Thanks. That's why I will have their printed email with me.

As said CBP not withstanding.

 

 

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[youwash]

Thanks. That's why I will have their printed email with me.

As said CBP not withstanding.

 

 

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I am hoping that you will also have the notarized permission slip.

Officials and authorities will not care about an email from Celebrity.

 

As another poster said-hate to be left at the port because of a piece of paper.

[disneydave]

I am hoping that you will also have the notarized permission slip.

Officials and authorities will not care about an email from Celebrity.

 

As another poster said-hate to be left at the port because of a piece of paper.

 

 

Thanks for your concern. I found the answer to my question.

As stated CBP recommends having a notary permission slip; however, they do not require one. Celebrity doesn't need one.

 

 

 

 

 

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[Hstergo]

Why do people even bother coming on here to ask a question and then ignore clear and proper answers?

[disneydave]

Why do people even bother coming on here to ask a question and then ignore clear and proper answers?

 

 

The answer to your question is that I got the answer to the question I asked within the first few replies.

Now why do people keep adding to the post with no new relevant information?

 

 

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[Hstergo]

The answer to your question is that I got the answer to the question I asked within the first few replies.

Now why do people keep adding to the post with no new relevant information?

 

 

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Yes your right I do see your point now that I look at it. Have a great cruise

[shane_paula2014]

I am glad I saw the fine print on the paperwork when I printed off all of our check-in summary info. We are traveling with my bf's son, and we had attempted to get a passport for his son, who's 9, but the kid's mom wouldn't sign the paper that she needed to get a passport. This was a couple months ago, and you just have to catch her on a good day. So I think I will print something up for her to sign, and I just happen to be notary and will sign it. Hopefully they won't think that's weird or suspicious or anything, but I know she won't take the time to bring it to a notary of her own. We will be lucky to get her to sign the form at all. So wish us luck !

 

My other thought was to get a copy of the parenting plan so they will know that he does have partial custody.

 

Sure does make me nervous though, all this planning and money and excitement, and I wouldn't want this piece of paper to deny us on our wonderful 1st trip together !!

[Hstergo]

I am glad I saw the fine print on the paperwork when I printed off all of our check-in summary info. We are traveling with my bf's son, and we had attempted to get a passport for his son, who's 9, but the kid's mom wouldn't sign the paper that she needed to get a passport. This was a couple months ago, and you just have to catch her on a good day. So I think I will print something up for her to sign, and I just happen to be notary and will sign it. Hopefully they won't think that's weird or suspicious or anything, but I know she won't take the time to bring it to a notary of her own. We will be lucky to get her to sign the form at all. So wish us luck !

 

My other thought was to get a copy of the parenting plan so they will know that he does have partial custody.

 

Sure does make me nervous though, all this planning and money and excitement, and I wouldn't want this piece of paper to deny us on our wonderful 1st trip together !!

 

I too am a Notary too and I would be very careful about notarizing because if she says its not her signature and proves you are one of the parties involved not just a third party notary you will have some serious issues.

[dkjretired]

I am glad I saw the fine print on the paperwork when I printed off all of our check-in summary info. We are traveling with my bf's son, and we had attempted to get a passport for his son, who's 9, but the kid's mom wouldn't sign the paper that she needed to get a passport. This was a couple months ago, and you just have to catch her on a good day. So I think I will print something up for her to sign, and I just happen to be notary and will sign it. Hopefully they won't think that's weird or suspicious or anything, but I know she won't take the time to bring it to a notary of her own. We will be lucky to get her to sign the form at all. So wish us luck !

 

My other thought was to get a copy of the parenting plan so they will know that he does have partial custody.

 

Sure does make me nervous though, all this planning and money and excitement, and I wouldn't want this piece of paper to deny us on our wonderful 1st trip together !!

 

I don't know if you are going on a cruise but there are a couple of things that you should know. The reason that Celebrity told him he doesn't need the permission slip is because they know the countries the cruise is going to be visiting and they are the ones who control the rules. Generally on a cruise they do not bother with permission slips if there are no overnight stops. This brings me to the most important point that you may not be aware of. The people who determine what is needed are the countries you are visiting as I stated earlier. Those countries have absolutely no obligation to follow court orders of custody from the United States. This will not usually become an issue on a cruise but it could be an issue if you are visiting somewhere for a few days. You will then need permission from both parents irregardless of who has custody. Also, if a child is not yours make sure you get a permission for medical treatment, also notarized.

 

Just one more point, Passports are not permission to travel, even if she had allowed him to get a passport you would still need permission for each and every trip.

[shane_paula2014]

I don't know if you are going on a cruise but there are a couple of things that you should know. The reason that Celebrity told him he doesn't need the permission slip is because they know the countries the cruise is going to be visiting and they are the ones who control the rules. Generally on a cruise they do not bother with permission slips if there are no overnight stops. This brings me to the most important point that you may not be aware of. The people who determine what is needed are the countries you are visiting as I stated earlier. Those countries have absolutely no obligation to follow court orders of custody from the United States. This will not usually become an issue on a cruise but it could be an issue if you are visiting somewhere for a few days. You will then need permission from both parents irregardless of who has custody. Also, if a child is not yours make sure you get a permission for medical treatment, also notarized.

 

Just one more point, Passports are not permission to travel, even if she had allowed him to get a passport you would still need permission for each and every trip.

 

Thank you for your imput ! I am seriously stressing out about this. Was crying earlier over it as I'm very stressed out about this, on top of all the planning and money for this trip.

Yes we are going on a Carnival cruise, starting and ending in the same US port, stopping at Nassau Bahamas, St. Martin & St. Thomas ports, with no overnights there, all day stops at the ports. I was told by Carnival that they will do customs in Port Canaveral, FL.

The mom is not signing the form, she's trying to hold it as blackmail for something she wants out of my bf. She is just being jealous and trying to have control. She has known about this trip for months now and has been fine with the son going all along and said he will have a great time, until now when we want her to sign this form.... We have a certified copy of his birth certificate, which is what we were told to get. When I talked to one lady at Carnival, she suggested the permission letter, and said it's better just to have it than not. I am nervous that we will have problems. I know they will probably scrutinize me as I'm not a US Citizen, but I have my passport and US permanent resident card, which is all the documentation I am supposed to have. The kid has the same last name as his dad, so I am hoping there will be no issues, but this is such a huge trip for us and I'm so stressed out about it.

 

Can someone please give me some peace of mind and tell me it's all going to be ok ??

Edited January 15, 2014 by shane_paula2014

[middlehaitch]

Hi shane paula2014,

I don't think anyone on a cruise forum can give you the reassurance you want.

dkjretired is a sound consientious poster who always gives well thoughtout advice. Please take what he has wrote to heart and have your bf resolve the problems with his ex so you have the correct paperwork.

He may have to get his lawyer involved or involve the courts, I don't know: no one does, and, unfortunately, this board can't solve the problem.

Act now as you only have 38 days before you cruise.

Hoping you 3 get to cruise together,

h

[shane_paula2014]

Thanks for the mind words. My bf seems to feel we will be ok without it. I'm not feeling so sure about it. I'm going to call Carnival again & see what they say. I may talk to a divorce atty that i know & see what she says. Needing some reassurance here.....

 

 

My first cruise ! Can't wait!

[Hstergo]

Thanks for the mind words. My bf seems to feel we will be ok without it. I'm not feeling so sure about it. I'm going to call Carnival again & see what they say. I may talk to a divorce atty that i know & see what she says. Needing some reassurance here.....

 

 

My first cruise ! Can't wait!

 

You hoping to just find any person to say what you want to hear is not a good way to go about things. because if that one single person is wrong you won't be happy with the outcome.

[shane_paula2014]

No i meant when i call Carnival or the attorney i am hoping to get reassurance. I hate stupid ex's.... Sigh. Maybe we can just stay on the ship? Lol idk.

 

 

My first cruise ! Can't wait!

[middlehaitch]

shane paula2014

Carnival can only advise you. Your bf needs legal permissions to take his son out of the country on a cruise. There are loopholes yes, but ultimately you need to make sure you can enter another country with him, and if, for any reason, you can not reboard your ship, you have the correct paperwork to leave the country you are in, and re enter the USA.

I don't know how to say it plainer, your bf needs a written document from the childs mother. If she won't give it, don't leave the country with the child.

You are well educated and a notary, I am sure that you know the worst case scenario if you travel without permission; and it is not being stranded on a Caribbean island.

Be sensible and have your bf get the correct pappers before you travel.

h

[shane_paula2014]

Thanks. I know you are right. Im so sick to my stomach right now with stress

 

 

My first cruise ! Can't wait!

[dkjretired]

If you BF has any legal issues going on right now with his ex and you take the child out of the country without her permission, a judge MIGHT not look too kindly on it. I would think legal advice might be a good idea.

[WestLakeGirl]

Just staying on the ship while in port doesn't solve anything. You are within the foreign country's waters, so you are effectively in that country whether younger foot on land or not