Does anyone know the rules for a father who is traveling abroad with his minor child (without the child's mother.)

My fiance and I are planning a trip to Mexico. We are taking his 12-year old daughter with us. She and he have the same last name, and he does have a certified copy of her birth certificate. We are planning this trip with her mother's blessing.

My question is, do we need something else as identification? She has a school id with a photo, but that's about it as far as photo id's go.

My friend thinks we need to have a notarized letter from her mother giving us permission to take her out of the country. She thinks the letter should have her mother's address, phone number, and driver's license number indicated.

It's not a "problem" to get this, but every time we ask her mother to get something notarized, it turns into a lengthy gripe session. Wierd. Anyway, does anyone know what the accurate answer is?

I checked out expedia.com where we booked our flights and hotel room, but they didn't have any information on this issue.

Thanks!

If a minor child is traveling with only one parent, the absent parent must provide notarized consent.

If only one parent has legal custody, that parent should be prepared to provide a court order of child custody to airlines and Mexican authorities

More info can be found at Entry Requirements

Hope you have a great trip!

Thanks Georgia! We're looking forward to our trip!

So does Doug have legal custody of his daughter or is he going to have to get a court order now?

Gordon (Doug is Puppy's fellow) has shared custody of his daughter. I printed your Northwest info. and gave it to him last night (he said 'thank you Georgia')

He'll ask his ex to prepare a letter and have it notarized for us. She'll cooperate because the daughter is so excited to get to go to Mexico.

Hopefully, it will be effortless, it just so rarely is

Oops
Color me embarrassed...guess she's just been in my thought's lately!

And you tell Gordon he is more than welcome and I am glad I could help!