Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

Denis

Oct 7, 2002, 11:46 AM

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Traveling with child -- neither parent present

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I've read the information on this site about traveling with children, but I need a clarification. I'm contemplating taking an 11-year-old for a vacation in Mexico along with my girlfriend, the child's grandmother. As in so many families, divorces and separations are in the picture, and the child is currently in the custody of her mother and the mother's new husband. So whose consent is required here -- the birth father, who is my girlfriend's son, or the new custodial father? (Since the birth mother has custody, I assume that's not an issue; I just need a notarized consent from her.) Also, I gather that the same sort of thing happens when the child applies for a passport, but in this case it's the U.S. making the rules, not Mexico, so undoubtedly they are different. Does anyone have experience with this situation?

jennifer rose

Oct 7, 2002, 1:29 PM

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Traveling with child -- neither parent present

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There's something in your message that doesn't make sense. If the birth mother has custody, then just who is the "new custodial father?" If the person you're referring to is the child's stepfather, then he has no legal standing with respect to the child. The custodial parent should provide consent to the child's grandmother and to you to travel with the child. And since the child's grandmother is the father of the child, obtaining his consent is a no-brainer and should likewise be obtained.

NormsKid

Oct 8, 2002, 11:18 AM

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I've got forms if you'd like to see them

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I couldn't tell from your post who actually has legal custody of the child. Physical custody and legal custody are totally different. If the biological mother has sole legal custody of the child due to divorce, her consent is the only consent required. But you would also need a copy of the document that proves that she has sole custody.If both biological parents have joint legal custody of the child due to divorce, then both biologicl parents must provide concent.Naturally, if the biological parents just separated and no custody order was ever entered by a court, then both parents maintain their respective rights, and both parents must provide consent.I have some sample forms for consent to travel as well as consent for medical treatment (should the minor need emergency medical treatment, then you are authorized to consent to it rather than the authrotites wasting time trying to track down the biological parents)If you would like to see the forms, they were prepared by an attorney, I'd be more than happy to email them to you.

texmexman

Oct 8, 2002, 6:04 PM

Post #4 of 6 (303 views)

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Traveling with child --Did I read this????

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. And since the child's grandmother is the father of the child, obtaining his consent is a no-brainer and should likewise be obtained.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////How did a father become a grandmother or vice-versa?

jennifer rose

Oct 8, 2002, 10:02 PM

Post #5 of 6 (302 views)

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Traveling with child --Did I read this????

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You are so, like, not post-modern! Issues such as this are beyond the scope of this forum. (Yeah, so I left out a coupla words. The original poster knew what I meant, and that's what counted.)

texmexman

Oct 9, 2002, 9:52 AM

Post #6 of 6 (302 views)

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Traveling with child --OKAY - I see.

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: You are so, like, not post-modern! Issues such as this are beyond the scope of this forum. (Yeah, so I left out a coupla words. The original poster knew what I meant, and that's what counted.)
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////Jenifer - You are right. Had I re-read it, with the original posters point of view, I would have
filled in the missing words myself.But NOT post-modern!! You wound me. I think if the new world includes
grandmothers being fathers I'll pass it by.Even now there are times when I think I would have preferred living in 1840.