Hi ladies
My in-laws live in Europe. They will visit this summer and then they want to take our kids to Canada for a 7 day vacation. It is fine with us. However, I don't want them to get in trouble at the border. I've heard that some papers are required, saying that we (the parents) give them permission to take them out of the country. Does anyone know exactly what is needed and where to get it?
We are in the States on a visa, don't have a US passport or Greencard.
Thanks!
They will need a letter of consent. http://www.voyage.gc.ca/preparation_information/consent-l...
has a sample letter and great info.
Please talk with the appropriate U.S. government authorities about this. Because you are here on a Visa, your situation is different than any of us who are citizens or have a Green card.
You need the facts from the State Department, not from us here. If your children have passports from another country (not the US) you may run into special circumstances only the State Dept. can help you sort out; the papers you heard about might apply if your kids held US passports but I"m assuming they don't, so those papers may not be enough for your in-laws to take the children across a border. Please be aware that the State Dept. and the immigration dept. are increasingly cautious and serious in recent years about the possibility of relatives kidnapping kids internationally, so if the documentation is not exactly right, you and your in-laws could end up with problems, no matter how much the in-laws tell the authorities "these really are our grandkids." Start now to find out what you need to do.
Hi Happy Mom your children will need a passport. We got ours from Walgreens Drug store. Also check with the post office.
If your kids are here on visas, then they must have a passport of some type. You need to contact the State Department or your Embassy for exact details.
A letter notorized for you stating the amount of time they are allowed to take the child which also gives them authority to get medical attention if needed. It should include a phone numbe on their to contact you as well as an address. And of course make sure they have the kids passports and IDs.
I would call the State Department or your congress member's office to find out for sure.
My mother took my son to Bermuda and he needed a birth certificate and a letter from us giving her permission to take him (notarized) but it may be more if you are not citizens. Definitely get the right info from an authority.
My in-laws took my nieces to Mexico last year and they needed the girls' passports, and a letter from their parents giving them permission to take the girls on the trip. It was notarized. It stated very clearly my in-laws full names, the girls' full names, their parents' full names, dates of the trip and destination. They also brought copies of the girls' parents' passports, but I don't think they had to ever show those.
However I'd check with someone in government both at the local level as well as someone at the Canadian border if possible. You can't be too prepared in this type of situation. Canadian border agents range anywhere from totally relaxed and reasonable to ones on a total power trip seemingly looking to harass everyone. You never know who you're going to get.
I had to do this once. You need to get your letter notorized. You can have it typed if you want then sign. All is needed .> I so and such give so and such permission to take my daughter so and such to europe for how many days. Just head it to who it might concern. You can also call your immagration office and ask them.
Please check with your embassy. Do not let them go outside the U.S.. If you are here on a visa then u need to stay here. My husband uncle was here on a visa and the family wanted to take him to Canada and was told at the border that if he leaves the states then he will not be readmitted because he would need another visa.
My in-laws took my nephews across the border with just a letter from their dad saying it was OK. But that was in a car (not as formal as airports) and they all had US passports and the same last name. I would say give as much information as you can -- a letter from you that says it's OK, and includes dates and travel plans which would show further that you are aware. The smartest thing would be to get the letter notarizes (available at UPS store, among other places) making it more legal.
Your children will need their own passports.
Their grandparents must have written permission from the parents or guardians to supervise the children, including the name and contact information of the parent / guardian. (from About.com)
When I was one of the chaperones on a Girl Scout trip to Mexico, these statements had to be notarized, and we had to have one from every parent, including from the father/husband whose wife was going on the trip with their child. Be sure that any form you fill out is done by BOTH of you, or that you do two separate ones.
