British vacation for grandkids - custodial parent not traveling with them
Mar 4th 2018, 1:32 pm
#1
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British vacation for grandkids - custodial parent not traveling with them
Wasn't sure where to post this thread.
But my mum and dad (who live in London, England) and are British citizens with UK passports wants to take their granddaughters there for their summer vacation (June to July).
They are minor aged 6 and 3, they both have British and US passports.
Due to work I won't be able to go with them.
Their father and I are divorced and I have FULL CUSTODY of them.
What documentation(s) is needed for my mum to be allowed to travel with them?
Do they ENTER the UK with their British passports and re-enter the US with their US passports?
But my mum and dad (who live in London, England) and are British citizens with UK passports wants to take their granddaughters there for their summer vacation (June to July).
They are minor aged 6 and 3, they both have British and US passports.
Due to work I won't be able to go with them.
Their father and I are divorced and I have FULL CUSTODY of them.
What documentation(s) is needed for my mum to be allowed to travel with them?
Do they ENTER the UK with their British passports and re-enter the US with their US passports?
Mar 4th 2018, 1:46 pm
#2
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Re: British vacation for grandkids - custodial parent not traveling with them
US citizens are legally required to leave and enter the US using their US PPs. There are no such restrictions on entering and leaving the UK...therefore either PP may be used.
I would carry a copy of a letter of consent from your daughter allowing the children to travel with you to the UK...also a copy of her sole custody document. I would have them notorised by an attorney...as this would be the only form of notorised document recognized in the UK.
I would carry a copy of a letter of consent from your daughter allowing the children to travel with you to the UK...also a copy of her sole custody document. I would have them notorised by an attorney...as this would be the only form of notorised document recognized in the UK.
Mar 4th 2018, 4:39 pm
#3
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Re: British vacation for grandkids - custodial parent not traveling with them
A document proving your daughter has sole custody.
A document from your daughter saying that she wants them to travel to vacation with grandparents in England.
Notarized.
A document from your daughter saying that she wants them to travel to vacation with grandparents in England.
Notarized.
Mar 4th 2018, 5:28 pm
#4
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Re: British vacation for grandkids - custodial parent not traveling with them
My mother used to travel every summer to the UK with my son when he was a minor, while I always gave her a letter with my signature notarized, she was never asked a question. I think grandmothers bothered less than fathers- travelling with my son as a minor a few times I was asked if I had permission to travel with him. Maybe things have changed now.
Mar 4th 2018, 10:18 pm
#5
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Re: British vacation for grandkids - custodial parent not traveling with them
You might consider sending the kids as unaccompanied minors. I did that with my son years ago and had no issues. Quite an adventure for kids, something to talk to their schoolchums about.
Mar 4th 2018, 10:24 pm
#6
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Re: British vacation for grandkids - custodial parent not traveling with them
Mar 5th 2018, 2:30 am
#7
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Re: British vacation for grandkids - custodial parent not traveling with them
You piqued my curiosity, so I checked just now.
And, amazing!, for all practical purposes British Airways does not do unaccompanied minor anymore, from 1 May 2018 onwards.
American Airlines still does though. Minimum age for unaccompanied minors on AA is still 5 years. A whopping $150 fee though! It was $25 twelve years ago. Wow, inflation!
And, amazing!, for all practical purposes British Airways does not do unaccompanied minor anymore, from 1 May 2018 onwards.
American Airlines still does though. Minimum age for unaccompanied minors on AA is still 5 years. A whopping $150 fee though! It was $25 twelve years ago. Wow, inflation!
Mar 5th 2018, 8:11 am
#8
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Re: British vacation for grandkids - custodial parent not traveling with them
Carry both sets of passports and use the British ones at the UK border. Provide your parents with a notarised permission letter. If you have full custody and it’s only for a short visit then you don’t need to consult the father.
Mar 5th 2018, 8:27 am
#9
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Re: British vacation for grandkids - custodial parent not traveling with them
.. and, for completeness, I'll state the obvious: make sure they're (the kids) are travelling with a return ticket.
Mar 5th 2018, 8:37 am
#10
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Re: British vacation for grandkids - custodial parent not traveling with them
Good point. Just print off the return flight reservations and attach to the letter. Stating the obvious but these documents should be carried on someone’s person or in carry-on luggage, not in checked baggage.
Mar 5th 2018, 10:48 am
#11
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Re: British vacation for grandkids - custodial parent not traveling with them
Just want to emphasis that the notary should be a practicing attorney. In the US anyone and his dog can become a notary...this is not acceptable in UK.
