traveling with kids

[Katie in N.C.]

I am bringing my kids to the Abacos without their father. In the past when we have traveled, all I needed was their passports. I saw on Bahamas Air site something about a document from their father. Do I need this or is a passport sufficient? Dec. 19th is getting close!!!!!

[Drag Line]

I did the same thing to Canada this past year. I printed out a quick letter that stated the child's whole name,saying he was traveling with one parent and that he had the permission of both parents (whole names stated) to travel in and out of Canada with me on the stated dates. Both my wife and I signed it and had it notarized. I didn't have to show mine, but my wife who met us up there with my other son did, and it made things go smoothly through customs. I don't know that you have to, but with all of the kidnappings and other horrible things, I reccommend that you do it. It should make things easier if a question arises.

[tmccaffery]

We did the same thing when my father took our kids on a cruise. A simple and broadly worded permission letter signed by both parents and notarized was sufficient along with their passports to get them through Mexican and U.S. Customs and Immigration.

[Toucan Dream]

What if you are a widow or widower with children?? Or a single, unmarried mother traveling with children? Or a divorced parent with full custody. Would they have to bring court documents, death certificates, etc.? A single, unmarried mother would have no documantation at all except a birth certificate and passport. I see all kinds of problems in the future for single parent families.:confused:

[Katie in N.C.]

Thanks for your replies. I was hoping to not have to involve the father but to be on the safe side I will get him to sign a document. If any of you have had a dead beat ex you know what an ordeal even the simplest of things can be. Oh but who cares---I"M GOING TO THE ABACOS!!!!!

[Abaco Girl]

What if you are a widow or widower with children?? Or a single, unmarried mother traveling with children? Or a divorced parent with full custody. Would they have to bring court documents, death certificates, etc.? A single, unmarried mother would have no documantation at all except a birth certificate and passport. I see all kinds of problems in the future for single parent families.:confused:

This is what the U.S. requires on their end and BahamasAir must comply, due to the non custodial (kidnapping) of children and taking them to another Country, just their way of keeping them in the United States and safe.I think this is mainly done with children who look completly different to the travelling parent (children of a different ethnic group).You may not have a problem but then again just a simple letter stating that you have the other parent's permission to take them out of the Country will suffice.

[Tolerance]

What if you are a widow or widower with children?? Or a single, unmarried mother traveling with children? Or a divorced parent with full custody. Would they have to bring court documents, death certificates, etc.? A single, unmarried mother would have no documantation at all except a birth certificate and passport. I see all kinds of problems in the future for single parent families.:confused:

Why not ask the people who know? Your tax dollars at work...
acsn@state.gov is the address for any travel questions that you may have, AND the answers would be coming from the experts who deal with these questions and situations every day!