Permission to leave Argentina with Child

[Celia]

It appears it's to do with country of residence rather than country of birth.....

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1130.html#entry_requirements

....Children under 18 years of age who reside in Argentina, regardless of nationality, are required to present a notarized document that certifies both parents' permission for the child's departure from Argentina when the child is traveling alone, with only one parent, or in someone else's custody.

 

[Celia]

One other thing, I had to show my son's birth certificate to prove he was my son when we left the country, but he has an Argentinian passport, I don't know if that would be required for a foreigner...

 

[HowardinBA]

One other thing, I had to show my son's birth certificate to prove he was my son when we left the country, but he has an Argentinian passport, I don't know if that would be required for a foreigner...

yes Celia.I am British,my son was born here in Argentina and I had to show it too....

 

[Celia]

HowardinBA, I'm a Brit too (!), I meant if the child was non-Argentine....it's such a complicated issue!

 

[HowardinBA]

well my 2 boys have dual nationality,so MORE COMPLICATED I guess!!

 

[syngirl]

The Letter of Permission is required for US nationals as well -- so it really does come down to a matter of luck as to whether you are asked for it I guess -- probably if your child looks almost 18, they'll be fine, but if you're travelling with a young child odds of being asked are probably much higher.

" Adults traveling outside the U. S. with children under 18, other than their own, must have a Permission or Consent to Travel Letter from both of the minors' guardians.
"

It is from the Hague Convention for protection against Child Abduction -- especially in these days of intermarriage between foreigners, it helps to make sure that a child cannot be removed from the country without the permission of both parents.


http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php?act=text.display&tid=21

http://www.familytravelforum.com/how/advice/14413.html


So I think unfortunately it will come down to who you get the day you cross the border. Probably nothing will happen, and at this point without a letter it's probably just as much a hassle to try and resolve before you travel as it will be if you do get stopped.

 

[syngirl]

Ah wait -- I just reread that sentence -- here's the key:

with children under 18, other than their own,

So with your own I guess you're ok??? kind of funny, if other country's won't let you travel without the doc but the USA is basically saying, sure, take that kid from the other parent!

 

[katti]

If you have residency in Argentina you need a notarised permision. If not (US citizens on holidays) you don't. Maybe you do according to US laws, but they won't stop you here in Argentina.

Before being a resident here I always had the Belgian official permission document with me but they never asked for it. As soon as I had the 1 year visa in my passport it was impossible to leave the country (with kids without husband) without it. And they actually ask for it, every time.

For a child under 14 you need to get a new notarised permission every time you travel, as soon as they are 14 you can get an unlimited travel permission to 3 countries (in one document).

In your case, I shouldn't worry.

 

[PhilipDT]

How old is he, if he´s older than 14 just send him through alone.

I traveled quite a bit internationally both solo and with either one or both parents when I was under 18.

Got hasseled a few times when I was with just one parent. Got a lot of strange looks, and had to answer a lot of questions traveling alone but never once had any real trouble crossing a border.

 

[Ries]

I have flown into Mexico, and had the Mexican immigration people ask for this- and Mexico, particularly for Alaska Air flights to PV, is notoriously slack in terms of immigration.
Once.
And flown the same route a half dozen other times, with nary a mention.

Theoretically, ANY country can ask for this, but few ever do.

Its totally random.