Posted by James Dawson on 8/23/10 11:04am
Msg #350098

Children traveling internationally with only one parent

I had a General notary job last night for a parent who was taking a child on a cruise with a friend. They had a hand drawn document they wanted me to notarize.

I remember our good friend Marian discussing this and some of the particular issues (like placement of the notary seal in an area too small to accommodate it) so I wanted to make sure I was doing it correctly.

I was under the impression there was a “specific” form that absolutely had to be used so I did some research and this is what I found and thought I’d share.

What are international travel restrictions for children?

>>> "In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry and exit points, including requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission of the parent(s) or legal guardian not present for the child's travel. Parents of minor children (under 18 years old) should carefully document legal custody prior to traveling. If a minor child is traveling with only one parent, the absent parent should provide notarized consent.
If only one parent has legal custody, that parent should be prepared to provide such evidence to airlines and authorities (copy of the sole custody document, or death certificate of absent parent.) In cases in which a minor child is traveling alone or in someone else's company, both parents (and the sole, documented custodial parent) should provide notarized consent. If a child traveling has a different last name from the mother and/or father, the parents should be prepared to provide evidence to airlines and authorities, such as a birth certificate or adoption decree, to prove that they are indeed the parents."<<<<

I have personally experienced this and also responded to desperate parents at the airport with tickets to go somewhere only to be told no, they can't board the plane. Which also brings to mind that "Lady" from Tenn. who put that poor kid on the plane back to Russia by himself. What was THAT notary thinking?

Reply by Stephanie_CA on 8/23/10 11:14am
Msg #350101

In the cases where I have notarized documents of this nature, the parents have created a letter of documentation:
Name of child - birthdate - name of parent child is traveling with, including dates and places of travel.
The letter was one parent giving consent for one the child to travel with one parent.
~~~> The parent giving consent signed the document.

I recently notarized one in english and one in spanish - the dad was taking his son to Mexico and wanted to cover all bases.
I simply added a loose notarial certificate.
James, this is my experience. I have done several over the years and do not recall a form of any type.

Stephanie

Reply by James Dawson on 8/23/10 11:25am
Msg #350104

Stephanie, our follow NotRot'er Marian sent the form to me. It's a State department form No. 1405-0129 entitled, Statement of consent or special circumstances:........

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 8/23/10 11:24am
Msg #350103

The form I was talking about is a specific one when parents are trying to get a passport for their children, and one of the parents can't appear in person to the passport agency. It's pretty specific.

Reply by James Dawson on 8/23/10 11:29am
Msg #350105

Yes it is and I think it sould be used personally although .

the others are acceptable. IMO

Reply by LKT/CA on 8/23/10 4:50pm
Msg #350161

Like Stephanie, I notarize a letter drafted by the parent - no special form. I ask which notarial certificate they'd like (explaining the difference) and 9 times out of 10 they choose a jurat, for which I have a jurat stamp. I also use a gold embossed seal for that "official" look. The last PFMTT (permission for minor to travel) letter I notarized, the 12 year old daughter was spending the summer with her aunt in Peru.

I think I do remember notarizing a specific form when the parent is obtaining a passport for the minor child. I notarized one for a customer for his 8 month old infant, then he called me months later to notarize something else and I got to see the baby's passport. Our passports are head shots only but for a baby, you see two hands holding the baby, wearing a striped onesie - his photo is in full. It was soooo cute!!!

Reply by James Dawson on 8/23/10 5:08pm
Msg #350171

wearing a striped onesie...LOL

Sorry Lisa but......I don't know what that is but I bet it looks a lot better than the regular passport picture.

Like I mentioned in my OP...I was just relaying what I was able to find out about the subject to clear up any doubt. Hmmmm I wonder if I should get a "Onesie" for my renewal photo, but...who's gonna hold me up?

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 8/23/10 5:17pm
Msg #350173

Re: wearing a striped onesie...LOL..James

A "onesie" is a one-piece garment worn by a baby - it's an infant bodysuit...

But you go ahead and get your renewal photo taken in one - I'm sure Sacramento will be thrilled...LOL...

Reply by James Dawson on 8/23/10 5:27pm
Msg #350176

Re: wearing a striped onesie...LOL..James

Oh, well considering where I live, I'm not so sure it wouldn't be O K. LOL

Reply by MistarellaFL on 8/25/10 10:27am
Msg #350368

Minor Permission to travel form (generic version)

http://travelwithkids.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=travelwithkids&cdn=travel&tm=11&gps=478_889_1259_590&f=00&su=p974.8.121.ip_p284.9.336.ip_p531.51.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.familytravelforum.com/how/advice/10545-Required-Documents-For-Travel-With-Minors.html


I carry a few of these with me, and often give a few to travel agents that I market.