Crossing with kids

[TennCAN 1]

Hello all:

Need to make sure I'm not in for any surprises at the border. I have my pernament resident card and Canadian Passport. I am looking to bring my 3 children back from Canada to the US to stay with me for the Summer, during their break. Will be driving as I have some belongings to bring back also I had in storage. My ex-wife is getting their passports completed. They are 14 yrs, 13 and 12yrs old. What do I need when corssing through Customs for everyone ???

Thanks

Dale

[Cassie 8]

If I remember correctly, you may need a letter from your ex-wife stating that she knows and approves of you taking the kids with you, to minimize you being accused of kidnapping. When my best friend came to my wedding with her then 5 month old child, she made sure she had her ex's permission in writing, so that he couldn't pull that kind of a stunt (which he was/is perfectly capable of trying, because he's a butthead). I am not sure if this is a requirement, so hopefully someone here with a bit more experience than I will pipe up.

[shawna7 4]

Hello all:

Need to make sure I'm not in for any surprises at the border. I have my pernament resident card and Canadian Passport. I am looking to bring my 3 children back from Canada to the US to stay with me for the Summer, during their break. Will be driving as I have some belongings to bring back also I had in storage. My ex-wife is getting their passports completed. They are 14 yrs, 13 and 12yrs old. What do I need when corssing through Customs for everyone ???

Thanks

Dale

Make sure you have a letter that from their mother that states you have her permission to cross with them and the specific dates(when I was crossing with my daughter a couple of times they asked for the letter..most times didn't) BUT..if I had not had the letter..they would not have let her cross! other than that you're all good with the passports! Have a great summer with them!!

Shawna

[Krikit 1,163]

CBP FAQ - Travelling With Children

[CBR 0]

I traveled last summer to Canada with my kids and was told to bring a letter from my ex stating he gave permission for them to travel there with me & to include his phone# on it just in case they wanted to verify. It was never asked for (but good to have nonetheless). In fact, Canada never asked a thing about my kids which was a little disturbing. I could have easily been a kidnapper or something. At least on the way back the US asked for their birth certificates & asked them what their relation to me was. I'd much rather be hassled & know that kids in general are kept safe!

[Aaron and Carrie 0]

If your kids are Canadian citizens, your ex will have to supply a letter of permission, including the date of departure and return, and identifying each child by full name, and the full name of the parent travelling with them, also providing where (what state) they are travelling to. A passport for each is good; having their birth certificates as well isn't a bad idea either.

Good luck!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

A friend of mine traveling with his two young sons into Canada required their birth certificates proving he was their father, a letter of permission from their mother saying she knew they were with him and where they were going, plus the border guard gave her a phone call when they arrived at the border to verify that she had indeed written the letter. Both Canada and the US are members of the Hague Convention to prevent international kidnapping so I expect the US would have similar expectations for children crossing into the US. You may not need everything, but it is good to be prepared, just in case.

[TennCAN 1]

A friend of mine traveling with his two young sons into Canada required their birth certificates proving he was their father, a letter of permission from their mother saying she knew they were with him and where they were going, plus the border guard gave her a phone call when they arrived at the border to verify that she had indeed written the letter. Both Canada and the US are members of the Hague Convention to prevent international kidnapping so I expect the US would have similar expectations for children crossing into the US. You may not need everything, but it is good to be prepared, just in case.

Great, thank you everyone for the info....getting excited to see them as well..

Dale

[MsZ 6]

The US requires the same thing but most of the time nobody asks for the letter on either side -- but it is still smart to have it because if you don't they can cause you great delay or prevent crossing completely. BTW, the one Canadian guard that did ask requested that the other parent's phone number be on the letter in addition to granting permission and naming the kids, etc.

[calliecat 0]

I have been traveling with my kids back and forth across the border for almost 6 years now. A consent letter is a must.

In the letter we stated that we had shared custody and that he was giving them permission to travel with me to my home. We stated everybody's full names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of travel and when they would be returning to Canada. The letter was also notorize.

I have been told several times by the guards at the US border that it is one of the best consent letters they have come across. The kids also have passports and have their birth certificates tucked inside.

As long as you have the notorize consent letter then you should never have a problem. I never have.