Children flying without both Parents Could Risk Festive Getaway
As the holiday season approaches, it’s sad to think that some families could see their hopes of a festive family getaway dashed by increasingly tight immigration regulations which affect children travelling with only one (or neither) parent.
Amid increasing concerns of potential kidnap situations, an increasing number of countries require airlines to deny airplane access to children travelling without both parents and without notarised consent from the non-travelling parent/s.
Travelling with the children of friends or family members
The exact requirements of each country vary so it’s wise to err on the side of caution and arrange notarised consent whenever both parents will not be accompanying the child/children. This also applies when children are travelling without either parent, perhaps when taking the children of friends or other family members on holiday. In such cases notarised parental consent may be needed.
How to obtain signed notarised consent
Signed notarised consent and be easily arranged through a Notary Public like myself. This provides proof that the non-travelling parent/s knows and agrees to the journey (either the outward flight to a foreign country or the return flight to the UK).
Why only a Notary Public will do
It’s worth stressing that only a Notary Public can provide notarised consent to travel; documents signed by any other professional (including a solicitor whose status is not recognised in other countries) are unlikely to meet increasingly strict immigration requirements.
How to find your nearest Notary Public
If your child is planning to travel this Christmas with only one parent, with only grandparents or with only friends or other family members, contact your nearest Notary Public. If you live in Calderdale, Kirklees or Bradford, please contact me on 01422 339600 or email me directly at mc@wilkinsonwoodward.co.uk. You'll find more information about my services at www.notarypublicbradford.com or www.notarypublichalifax.co.uk
A complete database of Notary Publics in England and Wales is available via the Notaries Society at http://search.thenotariessociety.org.uk/
Take full birth certificates with you
Even parents travelling together with a child/ children may not be immune from suspicion and could be required to prove their status as parents/ legal guardians. To avoid any possible problems, carry a full birth certificate for each travelling child.
For more information, visit www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad