Travelling abroad with different surnames

Travelling abroad when you and your children have different surnames can at times prove to be challenging. It has become increasingly difficult to travel abroad as a family in these circumstances in recent times.

Most countries have guidelines when it comes to this type of travel and the majority of them are very strict when it comes to parents travelling with children that do not have the same surname as them. The main reason for this is to prevent child abduction and trafficking. Whilst this is a welcome change which promotes the safety and welfare of children all over the world, it does mean that if you are not fully prepared, a holiday abroad can quickly become more stressful than anticipated.

As the guidelines vary from country to country, it is difficult to predict what documents will need to be produced in order to prove your relationship to your child as a person with parental responsibility. However, it is highly likely that you will undergo additional checks at the immigration border when travelling.

There are some documents that you can bring with you which will reduce the likelihood of you and your family being held up whilst travelling.

For example:

  • Your child’s birth or adoption certificate. This can verify that you are in fact the child’s parent as it should state your name and your relation to the child.
  • Proof of your change of surname such as your marriage certificate, deed poll or decree absolute which can demonstrate the reason for the difference in surname.
  • Written and signed consent from the other parent. Asking the child’s other parent to sign a written form of authority demonstrating their consent to you taking then abroad can be useful. This is because in most circumstances it is illegal to take a child abroad without the consent of every person with parental responsibility of that child.
  • Existing Court Order. If your child is subject to an existing Court Order such as a Child Arrangements Order, this is another document which may verify the connection to your child.

It is also likely that your child will be questioned at the immigration border in terms of their relationship to you, if it they are at an appropriate age. It can be useful to prepare your child for the possibility of this happening prior to starting your travel abroad, as otherwise, it may surprise them.

This is however country dependent, so it is always best to check their specific guidelines via the relevant country’s embassy. Airline companies can also be quite useful in terms of providing guidance as to what the requirements will be.

If you have any questions about this issue, or any other family law matter, please contact our specialist children team who would be happy to assist.