[Lizafava]

Hi All,

I'm visiting canada with my 11 month old in a few days. I understand I need a notarized letter of consent stating that DS's father is okay with this. DS and I have different last names, so I know I need to bring his birth certificate stating that I am his mom.

I was going to have my lawyer draw up a letter for us, but he went MIA

:

So, I have a copy of the one my canadian friend used, to use as a template. But, I don't know. I want to be SURE I have crossed all my t's.

So, if you have done this, what kind of letter did you use? Did the border patrol seem particular? Is there any other advice you have for a nervous traveller?

Thanks!
L

 

[elmh23]

Never done it, but a notorized letter would probably work. Most banks will notorize something for free if you're a member, or for a small charge.

Good luck and enjoy Canada!

 

[MommaCrystal]

We just came back from Canada. I was traveling with my DH but any info might be helpful right? On the way in they just wanted our driver's liscences and they simply asked if our son was indeed our child. They did ask questions about our intentions, where we were going, when we were coming back. But they only asked if Noah belonged to us. That was it.

On the way out they asked LOTS more personal questions. Where were each of us born, what each of us did for a living. More stuff about where we'd been and why. It was here that they wanted proof that Noah belonged to us and we had to pull out the birth certificates and such.

We came back on Saturday. I was surprised they were more difficult getting in with him than they were about getting out with him.

 

[FancyPants]

I have crossed the border many times with my children and without my husband. I think I'm up past a dozen.

I usually have a notarized letter stating that my husband gives permission for me to cross into Canada for X purpose (visit relatives) for approximately x days and include my spouse's phone number(s) and of course date it (notary will too). Any postal outlet usually has a notary. It is usually cheap. I bring my marriage certificate (copy), driver's license and birth certificates for all. Your child's full size birth certificate should have your full name on it so I don't think showing you are related is a problem. I only bring the marriage cert because I am not an American (really it's extra).
I also bring my permanent resident card since I am a Canadian citizen. The Canadians are much more lax. Getting into Canada hasn't proven difficult. Once they didn't even ask for any id. The US side will be much more careful but really you should have no problem.
Have fun.

 

[mamatowill]

I just returned from the states and I was visiting with my son and not my DH. I am a Canadian citizen and I have found that Canada was stricter than the States about travelling with my son. The foreign affairs department even admits this. Going into the States they never ask to see my notarized letter but every time I come back into Canada they do. The letter states my husbands name, my son's full name and date of birth, where he is going, who staying with (i.e. my parents), the length of time and an address where I can be reached. I was complimented on my letter by customs last time. I say Canada is stricter but it is not what I would consider a hassle. Have a notarized letter and you will be fine.

 

[erikanorth]

I'm travelling in about 2 weeks to canada with my son as well

Last time, I used a simple form letter and had it notarized. It was no problem at all. Here is a link to the letter I used http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Wr...izedLetter.htm and here is a sample from the canadian consular department: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/before/..._letter-en.pdf

Hope that helps,
Erika

 

[Lizafava]

thanks everyone! I am feeling much more confident now.

 

[SunShineSally]

Hvaen't done it but I took my oldest nephew (who has a different last name than me) to canada many times they never asked for a thing canada or the states (that was about 6 years ago though) My sister has recently taken both of her children to canada w/o her Dh and they never even asked for a birth certificate canada or the states!

:

 

[KalamazooMom]

My mother lives in Ontario and I have crossed the border several times with the kids and without my DH. I have had him write up just a typed letter that says he gives his permission for me to take them there for the specified time. I've never had the letter notarized, he just signs it. We've NEVER been asked to produce the letter or asked for any other kinds of ID. Perhaps it depends on where you cross? We've always gone Port Huron, Sarnia.

 

[pearlgirl]

I just traveled from NY to MI with my daughter and they didn't ask anything about DH and then traveled back from MI to NY with both my daughters and again nothing about my DH or their father. I wasn't planning to stay overnight though, that may change things I don't know. I did have passport for both girls as well as my own.

My mom recently traveled with my older DD and my husband and I sent a letter with her signed by both of us and notarized giving her permission to travel. No one ever asked for it though.

Sarah

 

[kirei]

Yup, just wanted to agree -- I traveled from Oregon to Alberta, and we brought dd's birth certificate and a letter from her father, NOTARIZED, stating that I was allowed to take her to Canada, would be gone X amount of days, etc. We had no problems crossing the border.