Divorced parents could be stopping from flying without six important documents
Divorced parents face the prospect of being refused entry at airports without the proper paperwork, experts have cautioned. Separated mums and dads have been alerted about six essential documents required for summer travel.
Travelling without the consent of the other parent could be considered child abduction under UK law. Therefore, it's essential to carry a signed consent letter and supporting documents whenever travelling abroad to avoid problems.
Ann Owens, a consultant solicitor specialising in divorce law at Richard Nelson LLP, explained that estranged and divorced parents must obtain a consent letter from the parent staying behind, a birth certificate, a divorce certificate, a marriage certificate, the child's passport and a court order (where relevant)."
As reported by Birmingham Mail, Ann said that a consent letter from the non-travelling parent is very important. She said: "A signed letter provides proof that your ex-partner has agreed to you holidaying abroad should you ever be challenged while travelling."
Exceptions may apply in different cases. As explained by gov.uk, if the person has a Child Arrangement Order stating that the child lives with them, then they can travel up to 28 days without the other parent's consent, unless the court has said otherwise.
Ann added: "The letter will need the other parent's contact details as well as the details of your holiday, such as where you're going to be staying. As well as carrying the passport, you must also ensure it's valid for the specific country you're travelling to.
"In the majority of instances your passport will need to be valid for at least three months after your intended return date but for countries like Dubai, Thailand and Australia it must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry into the country."
Ann warned: "If you're relying on a court order to take your child abroad it's imperative to allow as much time as possible for the case to be heard. While you can request an urgent court order these can take more than a week to go through the courts.
"For those who have been successful in gaining permission this way then you must travel with a sealed copy of the Court Order with you. Border officials may ask for proof of your legal right to take the child abroad at the airport, and if you can't provide it, you may be turned away at customs."
But most importantly, besides having all the paperwork in order, parents are responsible for ensuring that their child's passport is valid and accessible.
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Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Divorced parents could be stopping from flying without six important documents
Separated parents going abroad with their children have been warned about six crucial documents they need to bring with them this summer, or they may be denied travel. Divorced parents face the prospect of being refused entry at airports without the proper paperwork, experts have cautioned. Separated mums and dads have been alerted about six essential documents required for summer travel. Travelling without the consent of the other parent could be considered child abduction under UK law. Therefore, it's essential to carry a signed consent letter and supporting documents whenever travelling abroad to avoid problems. Ann Owens, a consultant solicitor specialising in divorce law at Richard Nelson LLP, explained that estranged and divorced parents must obtain a consent letter from the parent staying behind, a birth certificate, a divorce certificate, a marriage certificate, the child's passport and a court order (where relevant)." As reported by Birmingham Mail, Ann said that a consent letter from the non-travelling parent is very important. She said: "A signed letter provides proof that your ex-partner has agreed to you holidaying abroad should you ever be challenged while travelling." Exceptions may apply in different cases. As explained by if the person has a Child Arrangement Order stating that the child lives with them, then they can travel up to 28 days without the other parent's consent, unless the court has said otherwise. Ann added: "The letter will need the other parent's contact details as well as the details of your holiday, such as where you're going to be staying. As well as carrying the passport, you must also ensure it's valid for the specific country you're travelling to. "In the majority of instances your passport will need to be valid for at least three months after your intended return date but for countries like Dubai, Thailand and Australia it must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry into the country." Ann warned: "If you're relying on a court order to take your child abroad it's imperative to allow as much time as possible for the case to be heard. While you can request an urgent court order these can take more than a week to go through the courts. "For those who have been successful in gaining permission this way then you must travel with a sealed copy of the Court Order with you. Border officials may ask for proof of your legal right to take the child abroad at the airport, and if you can't provide it, you may be turned away at customs." But most importantly, besides having all the paperwork in order, parents are responsible for ensuring that their child's passport is valid and accessible.
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Divorced parents risk being turned away at the airport without these documents
DIVORCED parents could be at risk of being turned away when at the airport if they are missing vital documents about their children. A divorce lawyer is warning separated parents about six crucial documents they need to travel with this summer to avoid a holiday nightmare. 4 According to Ann Owens, a consultant solicitor in the divorce law team at Richard Nelson LLP, separated and divorced parents need to get signed permission from anyone else with parental responsibility for the child, which in many cases is the other parent. Taking a child abroad without permission can be classed as child abduction, and consequently a serious offence. Here is Ann's advice to parents this summer. A consent letter from the non-travelling parent According to Ann, for a child to be taken abroad, all people with parental responsibility will have to have agreed to the decision. While mothers automatically get parental responsibility at birth, a father will acquire parental responsibility upon marriage. Ann said: "With that in mind, a consent letter from the non-travelling parent is critical. "A signed letter provides proof that your ex-partner has agreed to you holidaying abroad should you ever be challenged while travelling. "The letter will need the other parent's contact details as well as the details of your holiday, such as where you're going to be staying." She added that if your child doesn't have the same surname as you, the letter should also explain this. A birth or adoption certificate Whilst you will take a child's passport on holiday with you, Ann also recommends taking either your child's birth or adoption certificate. The Sun's Travel Editor Lisa Minot shares her top tips when flying This helps to prove your relationship to your child, which is crucial if you are asked to provide proof of parental responsibility when leaving the UK and entering another country. A divorce or marriage certificate It isn't unusual for parents to have a different surname from their children as they may have gone through a divorce or remarried. In this case, if your last names differ to your child's due to a divorce or new marriage, Ann suggests taking your divorce or marriage certificate on holiday with you to prevent hold ups at the airport. A court order Sometimes, there might be a situation where you have been unable to get permission from your child's other parent to take them abroad. However, you could still be granted permission from a court. Ann explained: "If you're relying on a court order to take your child abroad it's imperative to allow as much time as possible for the case to be heard. 4 "While you can request an urgent court order these can take more than a week to go through the courts. "For those who have been successful in gaining permission this way then you must travel with a sealed copy of the Court Order with you. "Border officials may ask for proof of your legal right to take the child abroad at the airport, and if you can't provide it, you may be turned away at customs." Check a country's legal age of adulthood Countries often have different legal ages of adulthood - both older and younger than the UK. Ann advises that it is important to check the age of adult responsibility in the location you are holidaying in. For example, if travelling to some Canadian territories you may also need documents for your 19-year-old child. 4 Your child's passport Whilst you frantically search for your child's birth certificate, it may be easy to forget the one document that allows your child to travel in the first place - their passport. Ann said: "As well as carrying the passport, you must also ensure it's valid for the specific country you're travelling to. "In the majority of instances your passport will need to be valid for at least three months after your intended return date but for countries like Dubai, Thailand and Australia it must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry into the country." What are the passport rules? The Sun's Head of Travel Lisa Minot has explained exactly what Brits need to know. "Travellers used to be able to roll over up to nine unused months from their old passport onto a new one. "But post-Brexit, anyone wanting to travel to the EU can no longer rely on those extra months. "In order to travel to the EU, all passports must be no more than 10 years old on the day you arrive in your European destination. "And you'll need at least three months on your passport on the day you head back to the UK. "Figures have shown up to 100,000 holidaymakers a year face being turned away at airports if their passport is more than 10 years old. "The 10-year rule only applies to countries in the European Union but every country may have different rules on what is accepted - some countries like South Africa, for example, insist you have at least six months left on your passport when you travel and a full clear page." These are The Sun travel team's best tips for flying with budget airlines from 'free' legroom seats to cheap food hacks. Plus, the three bits of travel advice that people should always ignore. 4
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
I'm an American living in the Cotswolds — JD Vance will have a dream vacation here (despite the terrifying roads)
'I couldn't believe some of the narrow roads were two-way.' American Audrey Ann Masur has lived in the Cotswolds, England, for almost five years and she's still surprised at how cars manage the slender roads. 'I was terrified of driving at first,' she tells me. So the motorcade drivers for JD Vance will have their work cut out in August during his summer family vacation to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which spans parts of six counties (Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire and Somerset). But Audrey has a message of reassurance for the Vice President: 'It's hard to go wrong with the Cotswolds. ' In fact, the 37-year-old admits: 'I still pinch myself some days.' Audrey says it 'now feels totally normal to drive along narrow roads and pull over for passing', and has built a following of over 11,000 on Instagram with upbeat posts that lift the veil on what life is like in picture-postcard England for someone from a rural farm community in Indiana. Audrey moved to the Cotswolds because her husband landed a job on one of the US bases in the area, though they live with their children in a Gloucestershire village off-base. Aside from the driving, did any other surprises pop up? Audrey says: 'Some household differences would be having no screens on the windows and no [electricity] outlets in the bathrooms. 'A few cultural differences would be how much people chat about the weather, the fact that you need to offer your friend cake two or three times instead of believing their initial refusal and the way everyone ends texts with 'xx'.'. As for the Cotswolds itself, Audrey remarks that while it's an expensive life, 'the quality of living is very good'. She continues: 'I knew it would be lovely, but it has exceeded my expectations. Doing everyday life in such a gorgeous setting lifts your spirits. I'm an old soul, so I really enjoy the local village traditions and events, particularly in the summer and at Christmas.' Audrey also loves to explore — and Mr Vance might like to make a note of some of her favorite sights and villages. The digital creator reveals: 'Stow-on-the-Wold is one of my favourite places to shop or get a coffee. And there you can also visit the 'Tolkien Door' at St Edward's Church [so named because it looks like it's been warped in from the author's Middle-earth]. I love the public footpaths around Winchcombe, and Sudeley Castle is a special place. 'Also, an afternoon at Chastleton House never disappoints and I love a little mooch — a new word in my American vocabulary — around Daylesford Farm and Eleven Bibury [an upscale destination in the village of Bibury comprising a café, shop and tearoom].' Audrey is also a fan of TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson 's Diddly Squat Farm, just outside the village of Chadlington. The farm featured on an Amazon Prime Video series and is now open to the public. Audrey comments: 'I'm from an agricultural community and have farmers in my family, so I think Clarkson's farm has done a great job raising awareness and conversation about what farmers are facing right now. 'We all love a bit of entertainment, and even better when it can do some good. Of course, it's not the most aesthetic place to visit in the Cotswolds, but clearly people love the show and I think that's a positive thing.' Mr Vance is, of course, already sold on the idea of a Cotswolds vacation, but Audrey believes more Americans should follow in his, and her, footsteps. She says: 'Often called a storybook or fairytale setting, the Cotswolds' natural beauty truly is outstanding, and the honey-colored buildings are well-maintained. The views — stunning! It's a place that encourages people to slow down, to literally stop and smell the roses. 'Rolling hills — a patchwork of green, yellow, and even purple — surround us everywhere we go.' But tread carefully, warns Audrey. She cautions: 'It is important for tourists to remember that these villages are not theme parks. 'Real people live here and need to carry out their everyday lives. On my Instagram page, I often encourage tourists to be respectful, particularly with parking, rubbish, and interactions. It's an amazing place to vacation when you keep those things in mind.' Audrey and her family will have to say goodbye to the area within the next few years, and it'll be a sad moment. She tells us that she and her family have made friends 'through church, work, and school' and 'even have some surrogate grandparent figures for the children'. She adds: 'I love the Cotswolds not only for the beauty, but because it's home now and I'm a part of the community. It's where my children are growing up and it will always remain very dear to my heart.'
