In the current day and age, it is not uncommon for parents to have different surnames to their children, but if you do not take this into consideration and therefore fail to prepare accordingly, you may risk ruining your holiday. By ensuring you have the correct paperwork in hand, you will not jeopardise your chances of missing your flight!
If you are an adult who is travelling with a child who does not share the same surname, Border Control staff are obliged to ask questions and undertake extra security checks to establish the relationship. This is necessary to protect and prevent child abduction.
Whilst it is not actually obligatory to carry additional evidence of the relationship with the child, or documents explaining the reason for travelling, it can help to speed up the process and simplify interviews at Border Control. It is recommended that the adult brings additional evidence alongside the child’s passport to prevent confusion. Evidence can be in many forms such as:
- Birth Certificate
- Adoption Certificate
- Divorce Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Death Certificates
- A Child Arrangement Order
- A Change Name of Deed
- A Consent Letter.
A consent letter can be required in multiple circumstances, whether your child is bringing their friend on holiday, you are a grandparent taking your grandchild away, or you are divorced and one parent wishes to take the child on holiday. The letter should be from the child’s parents and should provide contact details whilst stating that they give consent for the child to travel with the person in question. It is not uncommon for consent letters to be requested by immigration when entering or leaving a foreign country. However, consent letters do not always guarantee that the child will be allowed to enter or leave a country, it is always recommended to check the legal obligations with the relevant embassies.
The increased border measures such as this have recently come under fire from families at risk such as unmarried parents, divorced parents, women who did not choose to take their partner’s name, and LGBT families. However, the Home Office continue to state that the precautions are part of their duty to safeguard children and prevent people trafficking, child sexual exploitation and other crimes.
Without the correct documentation it can be difficult to prove a relationship. Failure to provide the right documentation could potentially unknowingly cause travelers to become suspects of child abduction, be refused past the check-in desk or be turned away at border control. It is important to remember that every country has its own requirements for children travelling abroad without their parents.
Maria Parker, a Matrimonial Executive here at Hodgkinsons Solicitors Skegness, has extensive experience and knowledge in Children and Parenting Matters. Maria’s areas of expertise include Children Law, Parenting Issues and Change of Name. If you are seeking legal advice regarding any of the above, call Maria on 01754 897150 or submit a contact form and Maria will call you. From Divorce Proceedings and Financial Settlements to Residence and Contact Orders, Maria assists with Clients from Skegness, Boston, Lincoln, Spalding, Sleaford and beyond.