A couple of questions-BritAmerican baby & passport
Aug 20th 2010, 3:17 am
#17
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: A couple of questions-BritAmerican baby & passport
Who's "they"?
There is no systematic exit control in the USA and the requirement for parental consent is usually looked at as part of the passport application. People need to make up their own minds but if they (or someone) was demanding this kind of letter and people being refused travel, don't you think you'd read about it a little in the newspapers?
There is no systematic exit control in the USA and the requirement for parental consent is usually looked at as part of the passport application. People need to make up their own minds but if they (or someone) was demanding this kind of letter and people being refused travel, don't you think you'd read about it a little in the newspapers?
It isn't exit control, but airlines not wanting to get involved in custody disputes with dual citizens taking kids aboard without permission.
Aug 20th 2010, 3:54 am
#18
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Re: A couple of questions-BritAmerican baby & passport
But no references?
Airlines have no particular right to do this and are asking for lawsuits if they do.
And how are they to know that the "consent letter" isn't fake?
In any case, I have never seen a US airline mention this as part of its requirements to travel. Obviously if they have concerns in a particular case, they do have the right to call local law enforcement. But there is no de-facto exit visa/consent requirement for children in most developed countries, Canada appearing to be the exception.
It isn't exit control, but airlines not wanting to get involved in custody disputes with dual citizens taking kids aboard without permission.
And how are they to know that the "consent letter" isn't fake?
In any case, I have never seen a US airline mention this as part of its requirements to travel. Obviously if they have concerns in a particular case, they do have the right to call local law enforcement. But there is no de-facto exit visa/consent requirement for children in most developed countries, Canada appearing to be the exception.
Last edited by JAJ; Aug 20th 2010 at 3:59 am.
Aug 20th 2010, 12:07 pm
#19
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: A couple of questions-BritAmerican baby & passport
But no references?
Airlines have no particular right to do this and are asking for lawsuits if they do.
And how are they to know that the "consent letter" isn't fake?
In any case, I have never seen a US airline mention this as part of its requirements to travel. Obviously if they have concerns in a particular case, they do have the right to call local law enforcement. But there is no de-facto exit visa/consent requirement for children in most developed countries, Canada appearing to be the exception.
Airlines have no particular right to do this and are asking for lawsuits if they do.
And how are they to know that the "consent letter" isn't fake?
In any case, I have never seen a US airline mention this as part of its requirements to travel. Obviously if they have concerns in a particular case, they do have the right to call local law enforcement. But there is no de-facto exit visa/consent requirement for children in most developed countries, Canada appearing to be the exception.
The airlines can ask for whatever they want, if they don't want to fly you, they don't have to. And a notarised letter is a legal document.
They do this because they got sued more when they let parents take kids on flights aboard willy nilly to find out that there was a custody dispute and the kid was being kidnapped.
Like I said, they don't ask all the time, but they can and they do on occasion, especially when some one is a dual citizen parent travelling with a kid on their own.
It's just a fact of life, accept it.
Aug 21st 2010, 12:47 am
#20
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Re: A couple of questions-BritAmerican baby & passport
I can't be arsed to google, but the stories are out there. It happens.
The airlines can ask for whatever they want, if they don't want to fly you, they don't have to. And a notarised letter is a legal document.
They do this because they got sued more when they let parents take kids on flights aboard willy nilly to find out that there was a custody dispute and the kid was being kidnapped.
Like I said, they don't ask all the time, but they can and they do on occasion, especially when some one is a dual citizen parent travelling with a kid on their own.
It's just a fact of life, accept it.
The airlines can ask for whatever they want, if they don't want to fly you, they don't have to. And a notarised letter is a legal document.
They do this because they got sued more when they let parents take kids on flights aboard willy nilly to find out that there was a custody dispute and the kid was being kidnapped.
Like I said, they don't ask all the time, but they can and they do on occasion, especially when some one is a dual citizen parent travelling with a kid on their own.
It's just a fact of life, accept it.
Documentation to travel is country dependent. Some countries demand consent documentation for children. Others don't. Details at, for example,:
http://www.delta.com/planning_reserv...tion/index.jsp
That shows which countries require parental consent documentation.
American Airlines say the same thing - depends on where you're going, etc:
Minors under the age of 18 who are traveling with only one parent may be required to have additional documentation if leaving their country of residence. Please contact the nearest Consulate of the country to which you are traveling for additional information.
http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInforma...nTraveling.jsp
Aug 21st 2010, 3:42 am
#21
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: A couple of questions-BritAmerican baby & passport
Aug 21st 2010, 12:40 pm
#22
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Maine
Posts: 2,043
Re: A couple of questions-BritAmerican baby & passport
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/17/tr...dnap.html?_r=1 has a bit more about whether/why you need a letter of consent.
Sep 18th 2010, 4:59 am
#23
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Somerset UK, to Missouri, USA
Posts: 806
Re: A couple of questions-BritAmerican baby & passport
ok, babys passport arrived and our flights are booked, hubby is going to get a letter written as im returning with the little one 2 weeks after he does, though i cant imagine the flight back being too much trouble as baby will be entering america on an american passport - better to be safe then sorry!
anyway just another quick question:
When leaving the US, do me, husband and baby all go through security together or seperatly? he has one ticket, i have another with the babies info on, but we're on same flight out.
and when entering the UK can my husband and baby come in the same security line as me or do i have to go thru the UK/EU line and him go thru a different line?
anyway just another quick question:
When leaving the US, do me, husband and baby all go through security together or seperatly? he has one ticket, i have another with the babies info on, but we're on same flight out.
and when entering the UK can my husband and baby come in the same security line as me or do i have to go thru the UK/EU line and him go thru a different line?
Sep 18th 2010, 10:16 am
#24
Septic Sprout
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 7,993
Re: A couple of questions-BritAmerican baby & passport
ok, babys passport arrived and our flights are booked, hubby is going to get a letter written as im returning with the little one 2 weeks after he does, though i cant imagine the flight back being too much trouble as baby will be entering america on an american passport - better to be safe then sorry!
anyway just another quick question:
When leaving the US, do me, husband and baby all go through security together or seperatly? he has one ticket, i have another with the babies info on, but we're on same flight out.
and when entering the UK can my husband and baby come in the same security line as me or do i have to go thru the UK/EU line and him go thru a different line?
anyway just another quick question:
When leaving the US, do me, husband and baby all go through security together or seperatly? he has one ticket, i have another with the babies info on, but we're on same flight out.
and when entering the UK can my husband and baby come in the same security line as me or do i have to go thru the UK/EU line and him go thru a different line?
As for entering the UK you can all go through together. I can't remember which queue you're meant to use (EU queue or non-EU queue). If it were me then I'd just take advantage and pick the shorter! Someone else may come along and give a more official answer though...
Mrs tonrob is expecting, so I'll have all of this to go through next year!
Sep 18th 2010, 6:44 pm
#27
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Re: A couple of questions-BritAmerican baby & passport
Not sure what you meant by security - there aren't separate queues for different citizens so this isn't an issue. No need for the family to be split up regardless.
As for entering the UK you can all go through together. I can't remember which queue you're meant to use (EU queue or non-EU queue). If it were me then I'd just take advantage and pick the shorter! Someone else may come along and give a more official answer though...
Mrs tonrob is expecting, so I'll have all of this to go through next year!
As for entering the UK you can all go through together. I can't remember which queue you're meant to use (EU queue or non-EU queue). If it were me then I'd just take advantage and pick the shorter! Someone else may come along and give a more official answer though...
Mrs tonrob is expecting, so I'll have all of this to go through next year!
Sep 19th 2010, 12:25 am
#28
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Oz -> UK -> San Diego
Posts: 9,912
Sep 19th 2010, 9:57 pm
#30
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 100
Re: A couple of questions-BritAmerican baby & passport
Congrats tonrob, I am also expecting a dual-citizen baby in the New Year.
In terms of annecdotal vs actual experiences of one parent bringing a child through immigration my friend was questioned for 1.5 hours in secondary in Houston last year. She is a Norweigan citizen, LPR through marriage to a USC (for 5+ years at this time) and was bringing her 6-month old USC child back to Houston following a visit to her parents. She did not change her name when she got married and was asked how she could prove that the child was hers, she didn't have a letter of consent or the birth cert with her and was unable to do so. They let her through eventually.
In terms of annecdotal vs actual experiences of one parent bringing a child through immigration my friend was questioned for 1.5 hours in secondary in Houston last year. She is a Norweigan citizen, LPR through marriage to a USC (for 5+ years at this time) and was bringing her 6-month old USC child back to Houston following a visit to her parents. She did not change her name when she got married and was asked how she could prove that the child was hers, she didn't have a letter of consent or the birth cert with her and was unable to do so. They let her through eventually.