08-21-2013, 01:17 PM
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#21
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Lifetime Suspension
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Calgary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Peanut
I'm divorced and deal with this frequently travelling with my daughter. My understanding is:
Commisioner of Oaths is suitable for inter-provincial/within Canada travel.
Notarizied is required for International travel.
You can look it up on the government of canada website and I believe they have some guidelines as well as draft letters you can use and just fill in the blanks.
As a side note, no customs official, airline employee, or border guard has ever asked to see these letters when I'm travelling with my daughter and we do have different last names. I'd never recommend trying to travel without one though, just because the consequences could be pretty serious for your flight/vacation plans.
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A commissioner for oaths is valid only in the Province in which the commission has been granted.
A notary is international.
Most border agents won't know the difference though.
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08-21-2013, 01:55 PM
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#22
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Supporting Urban Sprawl
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Quote:
Originally Posted by troutman
I recommend that the letter be notarized (I'm surprised that some of you are getting through without this. I wouldn't take that chance). This form is often used:
http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/children/consent-letter
I don't charge CP members for this service. You need to prepare the letter yourself before attending.
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PM Sent!
__________________
"Wake up, Luigi! The only time plumbers sleep on the job is when we're working by the hour."
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08-21-2013, 03:11 PM
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#23
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Powerplay Quarterback
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Peanut
I'm divorced and deal with this frequently travelling with my daughter. My understanding is:
Commisioner of Oaths is suitable for inter-provincial/within Canada travel.
Notarizied is required for International travel.
You can look it up on the government of canada website and I believe they have some guidelines as well as draft letters you can use and just fill in the blanks.
As a side note, no customs official, airline employee, or border guard has ever asked to see these letters when I'm travelling with my daughter and we do have different last names. I'd never recommend trying to travel without one though, just because the consequences could be pretty serious for your flight/vacation plans.
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Same with me, I've traveled many times with only my 12 year old daughter and have never been asked to produce a consent letter.
The government website says the document is highly recommended for travelling abroad, so I've stopped getting one for flights within Canada.
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08-21-2013, 03:23 PM
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#24
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Franchise Player
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funny. I've been asked for a letter every time I've left the US to enter Canada with my kids. But then again, I do have the distinction of taking them from the country of residence into the country of citizenship. There is no need for me to actually leave Canada again once I've crossed.
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08-06-2014, 02:12 PM
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#25
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Somewhere down the crazy river.
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Not sure if brought up before, but do you need this letter if traveling in either direction with your kids sans spouse over the border, or just going into the states? Also is this just a US/Canada thing or does it relate to other countries.
I am planning a summer off next year and will be taking my kids with me for an extended period of time which may include overseas and traveling around the US, possibly even departing overseas from the US.
Can I just get a blanket letter that covers 2 months or does it need to be specific for each crossing of a border?
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08-06-2014, 02:21 PM
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#26
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Salmon with Arms
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wormius
Not sure if brought up before, but do you need this letter if traveling in either direction with your kids sans spouse over the border, or just going into the states? Also is this just a US/Canada thing or does it relate to other countries.
I am planning a summer off next year and will be taking my kids with me for an extended period of time which may include overseas and traveling around the US, possibly even departing overseas from the US.
Can I just get a blanket letter that covers 2 months or does it need to be specific for each crossing of a border?
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Best to have it for any out of country travel. I'm currently in France and got a letter for my oldest. The government has a great form and many notaries and lawyers have their own similar ones. It will need to be notarized. You could probably get a blanket letter, but then if get a lawyer to draft it. Chances are very high you won't need it, but if you run into a problem without it you'll be sorry
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The Following User Says Thank You to Street Pharmacist For This Useful Post:
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08-06-2014, 08:58 PM
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#27
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First Line Centre
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Calgary
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I've done 3 trips across the border with my kids but not my wife. The first time we were asked for the letter as we entered US Customs in the Calgary airport. The second time we never needed it. The third time we were only asked for it as we were clearing Canadian customs back in Calgary at the end of the trip (probably a bit late...). It really depends on the customs agent, but far better to have it and avoid any problems.
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08-06-2014, 09:21 PM
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#28
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First Line Centre
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Two years ago a few of us adults took a youth group down to Montana, we had the parents write notes and the border guys never even wanted to see them.
Last year I took my kids to the US without a letter and got asked at the border, specifically cause we were travelling wthout mom. He let us go after a quick chat with the kids but said next time to bring a letter. He specifically said it didn't need to be anything special or notarized, just a note.
This year I had her write me a note that said I had her permisson to take them to the US throughout the summer, Jul and Aug, and wasn't asked for anything on either side.
It only costs a couple bucks to have a letter notarized, so I guess if you're worried it's good insurance. At the end of the day if there's no reported abduction, custody issues or the like they can't detain you or prevent you from travelling with your kids, but they could sure hold you up long enough to wreck your day.
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08-06-2014, 09:24 PM
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#29
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First Line Centre
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wormius
Can I just get a blanket letter that covers 2 months or does it need to be specific for each crossing of a border?
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http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/children/consent-letter
You can put in whatever dates you like. This is helpful, and I probably would have used it if we had a working printer. lol
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...ot-a-parent-or
Neither Canada or the US requires a notarized letter but they seem to encourage it.
Last edited by speede5; 08-06-2014 at 09:26 PM.
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08-07-2014, 08:14 AM
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#30
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Franchise Player
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Virginia
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wormius
Not sure if brought up before, but do you need this letter if traveling in either direction with your kids sans spouse over the border, or just going into the states? Also is this just a US/Canada thing or does it relate to other countries.
I am planning a summer off next year and will be taking my kids with me for an extended period of time which may include overseas and traveling around the US, possibly even departing overseas from the US.
Can I just get a blanket letter that covers 2 months or does it need to be specific for each crossing of a border?
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My non-expert opinion if you did one letter and listed every country you might visit, and have the dates cover the whole period, you should be good.
I get asked for this letter every time at the Canadian border. I think only once or twice in the other direction. I have a Canadian passport and my kids have American. I always get it notarized.
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