Travel

First time traveling with son to USA. Wife staying home.

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  • Nov 5th, 2019 2:01 pm
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Oct 31st, 2019 9:49 pm
corcoran_chris [OP]
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Mar 20, 2005
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Maple

Oct 31st, 2019 9:49 pm

First time traveling with son to USA. Wife staying home.

Hello

Besides a passport what other documents are needed for travel to usa with my 6 year old son? My wife is not joining us on the trip. I want to avoid any headaches if I'm missing anything.
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10 replies
Oct 31st, 2019 10:32 pm
dolfan1980
Sr. Member
Aug 3, 2017
818 posts
623 upvotes

Oct 31st, 2019 10:32 pm

A notarized travel consent letter if you want to be extra careful, though the times I’ve had them they haven’t been needed.
+5
Nov 1st, 2019 9:48 am
BrunetteGirl
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Jun 15, 2015
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Mississauga, ON

Nov 1st, 2019 9:48 am

On the Gov of Canada website there is a template for travelling with minor children. Print it and fill it out.

It’s well recognized and does not required notarization.
+4
Nov 1st, 2019 11:10 am
Eldorado
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Nov 30, 2003
2687 posts
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Nunavut

Nov 1st, 2019 11:10 am

Wife has traveled with < 2 year old multiple times, never asked anything more than a passport.. when crossing at the border they do get a tad more nosey with the questions, but nothing to worry about

Side thing you can have just in case is photo copy of birth certificate, we do this no matter, never bring the original
Nov 1st, 2019 11:44 am
FrancisBacon
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May 12, 2014
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Montreal

Nov 1st, 2019 11:44 am

My wife just travelled out of country with an infant, and they asked for nothing except passport.

Ideally though, you should have:
- travel consent letter from the other spouse (certified by your local city hall or similar is even better)
- copy of birth certificate which lists you both as parents.
- proof of health insurance which covers the infant especially if going to the USA.
Nov 1st, 2019 12:24 pm
MP3_SKY
Deal Guru
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Jul 12, 2003
12306 posts
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Toronto

Nov 1st, 2019 12:24 pm

When I see my brother and his wife bring their son to US.
They don't ask other questions. Yes a man and a woman bring a kids to a trip, but that doesn't mean that the woman is the mother of the son anyway.

i doubt they are that strict unless they see something very suspicious.
Retired Forum Moderator February 2009 - June 2015
Nov 1st, 2019 12:47 pm
Kiraly
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Jan 9, 2011
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Vancouver

Nov 1st, 2019 12:47 pm

There's this standard template: https://travel.gc.ca/docs/child/consent ... nt-eng.pdf I have also used a simple note handwritten from my wife giving permission for our kids to cross the border with just me. Only one time was I asked for it; it was the time I crossed to the US and back on foot with the kids, with no vehicle. It was accepted with no issue.
+1
Nov 1st, 2019 6:50 pm
mrweather
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Aug 29, 2011
7647 posts
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Mississauga

Nov 1st, 2019 6:50 pm

Of course many people have crossed into the US alone with a child and have never been asked for the travel authorization letter.

But when that day comes, you’ll be glad you have it.
+5
Nov 2nd, 2019 10:19 am
Blanche123
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Jan 28, 2014
3761 posts
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Toronto

Nov 2nd, 2019 10:19 am

Agree with mrweather - get the letter. The day may well come (and I have witnessed it).
+1
Nov 2nd, 2019 2:18 pm
death_hawk
Deal Expert
Aug 22, 2006
28449 posts
13999 upvotes

Nov 2nd, 2019 2:18 pm

mrweather wrote: ↑ But when that day comes, you’ll be glad you have it.
Exactly. It's better to have it and never need it, than to need it and not have it.
Do you not have anything else to do rather than argue with strangers on the internet
Nope. That's why I'm on the internet arguing with strangers. If I had anything better to do I'd probably be doing it.
+2
Nov 5th, 2019 2:01 pm
michelb
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Jul 4, 2004
6926 posts
3518 upvotes
Ottawa

Nov 5th, 2019 2:01 pm

When my wife or I travel alone with the kids we use the consent letter posted above along with a photocopy of each other's passport. It only takes a few minutes to complete and saves possible hassle (although we haven't gone through the trouble / expense of notarizing which would technically be better).
+2

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