What documents are required to take a minor outside the country if only 1 parent will be taking them?

Question

Background Info: My boyfriend and his ex-wife have joint custody of their son (their divorce was done in the US).  They and their 7 year old son are all Chinese citizens living in the US.  My boyfriend and his son will be traveling to China.  Is there anything legally required by the US and/or China when a child travels outside the country with only one parent?  Any advice would be appreciated.  Thanks.

jst4pat · Accepted Answer

We needed a notarized letter from both parents when we took our grandson to Canada.
  I {mother} give {father} permission to take our son {name} to China from 00/00/06 to 00/00/06.
He also has my permission to sign for any dental or health problems that may arise during this time.
                       signed {mother}
 have it notarized.  Child needs own passport.
Airline could tell you if anything else is needed.

gaivotabr · Answer

The first thing to do is to visit or place a call to the embassy or Consulate for the Country he is visiting and get directly answer. They are the people providing the travel permit and so they would be the right people to ask. Normally the child travels in the parents passport and I guess that if you are one of the parents it would be nor restriction. But better to check with the appropriated people.

tech_fanatic · Answer

Since your boyfriend doesn't have full custody he will need a paper stating that his ex-wife has given him permission to take the child out of the country. I've heard that the paper has to be notarized, but also heard that it doesn't. My suggestion would be to get it notarized, anyone could sign the other parents name, so it is better to be safe.

But as far as I know that is all he will need.

Anonymous · Answer

Get the child a passport.

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What documents are required to take a minor outside the country if only 1 parent will be taking them?

4 Answers