I just applied for passports for myself and my 15 year old.. But I am divoriced and remarried and I wanted to know if anyone else in same situation has traveled with 1 parent..My current spouse is not going but it wouldnt matter anyway as my daughter is from my previous marriage.. Do I need to still bring my birth certificate and marriage licenses plus divorice certificate as my name on my daughters birth certificate is not the same anymore. How about custody papers ? I will have the notarized letter from her father but do I still need custody papers too? I am paranoid !!

Passports will tell it all. BUT you WILL need the notarized letter from the father as she is under 18. If unsure, just have them all with you and present the extra stuff only if they ask for it. Sometimes presenting too much stuff can cause a problem.

I travel to Aruba 2--3 times a year..in fact all over the world and do not have any document other than her passport and birth cert. No one has ever asked me for the birth cert. Same in Curacao and Bonaire. Mexico requires a document I am 100% sure.

One more thing..my child has a different surname too!

I'd bring all documents you have, just to be safe.

I am not in the same situation as you.

My girls are adopted and when we travel we bring their state final adoption decrees and US Passports to make sure we have everything covered.

Have a great time

Donna

I have taken my son with me to Aruba. I have sole legal custody.

I was told if you have shared custody, the other parent needs to sign a consent that is notarized. you will need 2 copies. I have sole custody so, I only had to provide the divorce settlement stating I had legal and sole custody. My son has a different sur name as well. I actually never was asked for any proof of gaurdianship but that is what I was told to bring. I am taking my son this year again and his friend. His friend has divorced parents also. Mother has sole custody and she is providing me with a notarized letter 2 copies. Hope I will not have a problem with the custody part?

thanks for all the info guys!! my concern was that I was ok with the notarized letter and but how do I prove that I(with now a different last name) am actually her mother...you know what I mean???if you need a letter from the father I thought I will have to prove that I am really her mom and not some lady her dad let her take out of the country..I had an issue last year with my own birth certificate when traveling to cancun that didn't have anything to do with her at all so now I think I am just thinking too deep!!! also do passports have your birth names or prior surnames on them? I just applied for one and it asked me these questions so I thought if it did that would help also...I have custody but he has visitation so I am not sure if that is considered sole custody or not..

You will just need 2 copies of the letter. Don't worry about the name issue. On your passport application it asked you about your maiden name and any married names you may have had. Don't sweat it! I don't believe You have sole legal custody. B/c he has visitation rights and sounds like he is active in your childs life. I have a different name than my son and I don't have a passport. never had a problem.

i am a single parent, also. i have always been told to get a notarized letter from her father stating he is aware i will be traveling with my daughter. however, i have never been asked to produce this. i have full physical custody and he only has joint legal custody.

why people go through the the trouble of worrying about birth certs and ID's.Just get a passport and be done with it. Sooner or later Aruba is going to fall in line and require a passport. With 911 concerns,tracking people and their movements
will become a priority. Maybe not getting into Aruba but returning to the US you may find yourself waiting along time trying to prove to an agent you are who you say you are.Is that worth it??????? GET a passport.