i am scheduled to go to Aruba in August with my step daughter and wife (Her mother) My wife's last name is different from my 16 year old step daughter. We are bringing step daughter's passport and bith certificate. Her birth certificate has my wife's full name on it and it is the same as my wife's passport. Getting a letter from the father is not an option. Will we have any problems with Aruba Immigration?

Does your wife have anything that has the same last name of your stepdaughter. If so I would bring it. When we went through customs thay only looked to see if the picture on the passport matched the person.

if you have any trouble with her just drop her off at carlos and charlies

Kduffy- Thanks for your reply. My wife does have her old marriage license and an old drivers license in the same last name as the daughter we will bring them. Did you have a stepchild and if so how old?

>>> "Will we have any problems with Aruba Immigration?"
---- Not with Aruba Immigrations but with the Airline. Its the airline agent at the Departing Airport who says who gets on the plane and who doesn't. Call your airline.
Since child is 16 and has Passport may be OK without father's OK. But do check with the AIRLINE.

If the child is 14 yrs. of age with a passport, they can travel with one parent and do not need a letter. I'm in the same boat as you where a letter from the "absent" parent is not an option.

I take my daughter every year (she and I have different last names, hers is her dads and I kept mine) and every year I prepare with all my documents, birth cert. showing me as her mom I get 4 notarized letters from her dad ect.. I have yet to have a problem they never have even asked for, or looked at any of the documents. It would more then likely happen leaving here at the check in counter at the Airline, once you are over I dont think they care. Leaving aruba last year the us immagration officer asked is that your daughter i said yes and that was it. Good luck!

I work for an airline and Aruba is one of the islands that you do not need the father's permission to fly with your child. Yes have something with your name and her name old license is good.

I was recently updating my travel knowledge and I thought I heard that since 9/11 the airlines require a signed letter from the other parent. It may be custody related, but I would also check with your airline.

B M S.....that was a pretty insensitive and rude thing to say. I hope you feel good about yourself. I wouldn't.