Planning to take your kids abroad this summer? Here’s our top five tips to get things off to a flying start!
1. Communicate with your ex
You need the permission of anyone else who holds parental responsibility for your child to travel abroad without them. If you don’t obtain this, there‘s a risk you could be accused of child abduction. Should the other parent object to the trip, you will need to make an application to the court for a ‘Specific Issue Order’. If you already have a ’Lives with Order’ you can travel abroad for up to 28 days without the other parent’s consent, but we still recommend sharing your plans so they know where your child will be. Bear in mind that going on holiday may impact the time the other parent spends with your child. Whilst there’s no obligation to swap days, suggesting alternative opportunities for your child to see the other parent can help eliminate any potential unhappiness or conflict.
2. Plan ahead
Don’t leave arrangements until the last minute. If there’s a dispute and you need to apply for a ‘Specific Issue Order’ you need to leave enough time for the court to deal with your application. Whilst the court is generally in favour of children going on holidays abroad, they are unlikely to treat such an application as urgent. If it isn’t processed in time, you may have to cancel your holiday which is not only disappointing for everyone involved, but potentially very costly for you.
3. Check entry requirements
Every country has different rules about travelling with children as a single parent, so it’s important to check these in advance to avoid hold ups at the airport. In some cases, failing to check the entry requirements can result in you being denied entry to your destination! A simple written consent from the other parent is often all that’s required, but some countries need notarised consent letters.
4. Share travel information
Whilst your holiday will hopefully go ahead without a hitch, it’s important to ensure the other parent has details of your travel arrangements (including flights and accommodation) in case of emergencies. It can also be helpful to provide additional information, such as who else will be joining you on the trip and what you plan to do whilst you’re away. Although this isn’t a legal requirement, it can help the other parent see the benefits of allowing your child to travel, as well as making sure they feel informed, consulted and involved in the decision making process.
5. Don’t forget the passports!
All family members need a valid passport for international travel. Make sure the expiry date meets the requirements of your destination country, and if you’re not the parent who usually holds your child’s passport organise in advance when it will be handed over for the trip and when you need to return it. If the other parent is not being helpful this may involve an application to the court to determine the rules, so make sure you plan well in advance.
