Travel authorization for child?

May 8, 2008 9:23 AM

1 parent traveling with child needs notarized letter of authorization to enter or leave USA?

We live in Colombia and will spend July in Ireland, passing through the US arriving and departing. My wife returns to Colombia before me and I travel with 3 yr old back to Colombia vis USA.

Do I need to present a notarized letter from my wife authorizing me to travel with child?

Saludos / Cead Mile Failte - J

posted by lapsang to travel & transportation (11 comments total)

Yes, although sometimes they will let you get away without notarizing the letter. Be sure to include contact information for the parent not travelling with the child.
posted by crazycanuck at 9:29 AM on May 8

This may not be relevant to your situation, but when my wife, who does not share my and my children's last name, travelled with them to the US, there was a holdup because of this discrepency. She traveled with a notarized letter/passports, all the necessary paperwork. They wanted to see her marriage cerftificate, or some other document that proved that she was indeed the mother. They did get through, but it did cause some delay.
posted by BozoBurgerBonanza at 9:59 AM on May 8

I've always carried a letter, but I've never been asked for it, heading to both Europe and Japan from the US. I'd carry it just in case, but I agree that if it's a super pain to get a notary, you're likely fine with just a letter with contact info.
posted by Gucky at 10:02 AM on May 8

Being Colombian, flying to and from Colombia, may mean that you'll be subject to more scrutiny than most tourists, even though you're not leaving the airport.

I'd vote for notarized, even if it's not legally needed.
posted by Chuckles McLaughy du Haha, the depressed clown at 10:19 AM on May 8

Different countries have different rules, so look up each country you will be visiting. Here is the list from US state dept., which lists various countries. Below is a snippet of what it says about Colombia, though you don't say whether you will be departing with your wife or not:

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MINORS: In an effort to prevent international child abduction, Colombia has implemented additional exit procedures for Colombian or dual-national children under 18 who are departing the country without both parents or a legal guardian. Upon exiting the country, the person traveling with the child (or the child him/herself) must present a copy of the child’s birth certificate, along with written authorization from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian. The authorization must explicitly grant permission for the child to travel alone, with one parent, or with a third party. When a parent is deceased, a notarized copy of a death certificate is required in lieu of written authorization. When one parent has sole custody of the child, that parent may present a custody decree instead of the other parent’s written authorization. If the decree was issued by a Colombian court, it must grant the custodial parent a form of custody known as patria potestad.
posted by jujube at 10:24 AM on May 8

Oh wait! I'm sorry. I misread your question. You were asking about US, and I just posted info for everything BUT the US. Sorry about that.
posted by jujube at 10:29 AM on May 8

As a rule, any time that one parent is traveling across an international border with a minor, they should have notarized (or similarly verified) documentation to show that:

1) They have sole legal custody of the child and/or
2) They have the permission of the other parent to travel with the child and/or
3) The other parent/guardian is deceased.

It might not be requested, but it makes things a lot easier if it is requested. It really doesn't matter which border you're crossing, as far as I know.
posted by gwenzel at 10:39 AM on May 8

I was advised to carry one, but never needed it, when traveling internationally with my daughter (and not my wife). "Notarized" in the US means your signature has been witnessed and stamped by a Notary Public -- an official available at most banks, legal firms, and many other locations. There is usually no charge to get a document notarized.

I would just have the document stamped by a similar official, if one exists, and if not, a lawyer or a public official with some sort of stamp of office.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:44 AM on May 8

Given the Gestapo-like attitude of your average U.S. DHS official, this is one of those times where it's better to have something rather than risk the delays and hassles that "might" possibly crop up. Start here, with a link to a sample form letter included on that page, and then also read this summary of various pieces of information about the topic from Yahoo Answers. I don't normally post such summaries, but this one has a lot of good external links that verify the information.
posted by webhund at 11:33 AM on May 8

Two additional resources that might be helpful:

- a sample letter you can crib

- and the forum at FlyerTalk discussing the same issue
posted by pineapple at 11:55 AM on May 8

'Notary' in the USA and 'notary' in Columbia might mean different things. In Quebec I would get a stamp from a commissioner of oaths, quick and cheap at a bank or something, and not a notary, which is a legal profession and would be expensive and probably take an appointment at least.
posted by Salamandrous at 7:31 AM on May 9