travel docs for taking kids to US - who signed? cost?

s5 · by s5 on Sat Feb 11, 2012 3:31 pm

We've downloaded the form from the Govt of Canada website for one parent taking kids to the states - I think i need to get it notarized. Anyone do something similar? how much was the cost?

thanks

gill846 · by **gill846** on Sat Feb 11, 2012 3:44 pm

Hi, we didn't get it notarized or anything, just had my husband sign a typed up letter that I had written. We're not separated or anything though, so don't know if that makes a diff. I've taken my kids to the States three times without him and never once been asked for the note. When my parents took my daughter to Seattle, we gave them a similar typed up note that we both signed. They did get asked for it, and that note we gave them was fine.

brymommy · by **brymommy** on Sat Feb 11, 2012 4:05 pm

Do I need one of these to travel IN Canada with my children? My husband won't be with me but we are going to meet him at the airport... :-k

ItsKim · by **ItsKim** on Sat Feb 11, 2012 4:33 pm

Technically it is supposed to be notarized...I have taken my kids across the border without my husband dozens and dozens of times and have never once been asked to show the letter though. My sister and her friend that take their kids all the time have never had to show a letter either, so it's pretty darn rare for them to ask for it.

The only time I actually did get a letter was when my sister and I were driving our kids to Disneyland. We didn't want a potential problem so we just got it and had it notarized just in case. It cost $25. (we never were asked for it and that was a trip we were gone of for a month!)

StitchedUp · by **StitchedUp** on Sat Feb 11, 2012 4:52 pm

brymommy wrote:Do I need one of these to travel IN Canada with my children? My husband won't be with me but we are going to meet him at the airport...

I've flown in Canada with the children and without my spouse and no one questioned it at all.

MizJennaKH · by **MizJennaKH** on Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:04 pm

Always notarize, whether you are separated or together.
It all depends on who you get in customs so you can never be too prepared.
Brown Bros on Blanshard for notarization is cheap and quick... I`ve used them 3 times with no problems.

happygirl · by **happygirl** on Sun Feb 12, 2012 7:40 pm

We always just type up a letter and sign it, not notarized, and have never even been asked for it.

ETA: my dh and I are married so do not have any kind of custody agreements, etc, so not sure if that makes a difference.

onceinvic · by **onceinvic** on Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:50 pm

That's funny -- I have taken the kids to the States a bunch of times, and it is about 50/50 on getting asked for the letter!

Maybe I look shifty.... :paranoid: