Overseas - Kids different last name

[wendlle]

I'm off to the USA in 3 weeks for a short trip with my two kids (aged 4 and 6) we are going for 12 days.

They have different last names to mine, is this going to be an issue??
Should I take anything with me to "prove" that I am their Mother?

I've always gone with my Husband before so the issue has never come up.

 

[AustSerbKor]

Smart traveller recommends a letter with the child's details witnessed by a JP or Notary.

My wife and daughter have never been asked for the letter, however my wife's passport does say "Wife of mine and daughter's family name" after her family name.

Have a great trip.

Source: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/be... be required to,child will be travelling with

 

[wendlle]

thanks

 

[JohnK]

We haven't been to the USA but we've had lots of issues travelling to/from Thailand with wife and daughter as daughter has my name.

On numerous occasions they've asked to see birth certificate. One time it was in checked luggage and it took ages to convince Thai immigration. We almost missed flight.

Personally I can't see the issue. I have Australian passport, wife Thai passport, daughter Australian/Thai passport. It's not like we are taking anyone out of the country illegally. And what does a birth certificate prove anyway? That we're the parents.

Wife also had issues in coughet earlier this year as daughters Thai passport had expired but she's travelling on Australian passport.

 

[andye]

I understand South Africa is particularly hot on this

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Can you get a note from the kids dad?
Don't want you to get flagged as trying to flee country, maybe most likely records are checked via passport control, but still...
Family Court saga cones to mind.
Don't laugh.

 

[wendlle]

Yes I’ll get a letter and get a JP to sign it, we don’t have any court orders etc so no fear of being flagged etc
He is just not coming in this particular trip and I want to be sure we have all documents if needed

Do you think copies of birth certificates are ok or should I take originals??

 

[Seat0B]

I think (without any particular expertise) that you should be right with a formally JP certified copy (usually free) or a notarised copy (you have to pay for this service). One less official document to take overseas and lose/have stolen.