Traveling to Mexico with Children: How to Avoid Disappointment
By Suzan Haskins
E-mail: mexico@internationalliving.com
The first time I traveled to Mexico as a single mother with my son--who was at the time still a minor--I was lucky. It was Christmas 1993 and we had selected to take a Funjet charter. The company had sent all the documentation in advance and for one time in my life, I actually read it. That's why I say I was lucky. Because in that documentation was some very important information for single parents traveling to Mexico with children who were minors.
I learned that Mexican immigration requires a notarized statement from the non-accompanying parent, an adoption decree if you are not the child's biological father, a death certificated if your spouse has passed away, or other legal documents befitting other circumstances.
I arrived at Kansas City airport--a three-hour drive from my home in Omaha--with my ex-husband's death certificate, and all was well. The airline even thanked me for being prepared. Another family was not so well prepared. A woman whose husband has died in the past year was taking her five children to Mexico for a much-needed holiday. She also had driven three hours to the airport...from Wichita to Kansas City. Her children sobbed while she pleaded with authorities to let them board. The rest of us watched in sympathy and were more than happy when Funjet told us our flight would be delayed while they helped the woman obtain the proper documentation.
What did she do? She called a family friend in Wichita who rushed to the family's home, found the husband's death certificate and faxed it to the airport in Kansas City. We left Kansas City nearly two hours late but everyone cheered for the family--and for the charter company for their understanding and patience.
Whose responsibility is it to tell parents about Mexico's immigration requirements?
Hopefully, if you make your reservations through a travel agency or an airline, they will inform you. But with more and more people making reservations via the Internet these days, disappointments are sure to happen. Ultimately, if you are taking your children to Mexico and you are a single parent, it is your responsibility to know about and have the proper documentation.
In the past, had you failed to show up without this documentation, you may have been able to talk your way onto the flight. An understanding charter company may, like they did for the woman I told you about, have held up the flight while proper documentation was obtained. But with today's stricter travel regulations, leniency just doesn't happen like it used to. Airlines are now refusing to board lone parents and children or children travelling unaccompanied without a notarized letter of consent or other legal documents.
Why does Mexico do this?
The Mexican authorities introduced this rule because separated or divorced parents were taking their children away to Mexico with them (especially from the USA and Canada), making legal recourse complex and difficult. One way to stop this practice is to ensure that both parents know when children are being taken into Mexico. Certainly, a deceptively enterprising parent can find a way around the system. And there are always other countries that do not require this type of paperwork.
Additionally, the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (the "Hague Convention") came into force between the United States and Mexico on October 1, 1991. Both countries must live up to their obligations under this convention, and again, Mexico does its part by trying to enforce some type of legal paper trail.
Here, then, are general rules on crossing the border with children:
| Be sure to have proof of the child's identity...a birth certificate or passport. |
| If a minor child is not escorted by both parents, a notarized consent from the absent parent is required. A similar consent from both parents must accompany the child traveling along or escorted by a non-parent (grandparent, friend, etc.). |
| A U.S. court order authorizing the travel can substitute for an absent parent who refuses to consent or who cannot be located. If you are estranged from your partner, and you are the legal guardian of your child / children, you can take a copy of the court order (note: original only--no copies!) with you and this will suffice to get your child or children into Mexico with you. |
| If paternity has not been established, have the child's birth certificate available, showing that there is only one parent. |
| If you are a widow or widower, you will need to write a letter to explain this and get it, and a copy of the death certificate, notarised and carry these with you when you travel. |
| If you are under 18 and want to travel to Mexico without your parents, you will need to carry with you a notarized letter of consent signed by BOTH parents. |
Be sure to get all of this done in advance of your trip and if you have any questions, call your airline. If you are still feeling unsure, ask them to fax you confirmation of the paperwork you will need. Get a name and telephone number of the person you speak with and have all this ready to show the gate agent at check-in.
For your convenience,
we have included a Standard
Letter at the end of this document that you can use if children will be
travelling to Mexico with only one parent. You can customize this letter for
your own use, print it and get it notarized.
Travel tip: When both parents are contemplating spending an extended time in Mexico, under a tourist card, it is recommended that each parent execute a consent granting the other the right to travel with the child, simply to avert problems should either opt to make a trip northward with the child, unaccompanied by the other.
If this all sounds daunting, it's really not. Rather, it is another way to help protect children from abduction. Maybe more countries should have such a policy.
Your children will be made to feel quite welcome in Mexico.
Mexico loves its children, and you'll find that
your children will be made to feel very welcome in Mexico's hotels,
restaurants and attractions.
Mexico is full of bright colors, lively fiestas and friendly people. The new
sounds and sights your children will encounter in Mexico will provide a great
experience.
Besides the sea and sand of the coastal areas, archaeological sites provide
pyramids to climb, tunnels to explore and wide open spaces to roam.
Other considerations when travelling with
children:
Altitude: Some of Mexico's regions are situated at quite a high altitude,
and this can be very tiring for children--especially those who are used to
living at or near sea level. If you are visiting an elevated region, plan your
itinerary accordingly, building in plenty of restful breaks.
Mexico City: Mexico City's mixture of altitude, heat and air pollution
can make the city an uncomfortable place for children for prolonged periods.
Many people spend 2-3 days in Mexico City and leave to travel on to the
provinces, coastal resorts, or a combination of both.
Age: Older children are likely to get more out of a trip to Mexico than
young babies or toddlers. This is not because younger children are not welcome;
they are--but because Mexico's attractions revolve around sights and culture,
and older children may benefit more from a trip there.
Babysitters: If you should want a night out, babysitters can be found
with little hassle in Mexico; ask at your hotel. Ask for a bilingual sitter, if
possible.
Consumables: Diapers and the usual basic necessities (clean wipes,
moisturizing lotions, kid's shampoo, etc) are readily available in Mexico--no
need to weigh your bags down with your supply. If, however, you have special
creams, medicines, etc for your children, take them with you.
Sun Care: The sun can be your worst enemy, as you may not notice its burning effects until it is too late. Protect your children with high-factor suntan /sun block lotion, especially around midday. If you forgot to pack a hat for them, you can easily and inexpensively buy one for them.
Below is the sample letter we mentioned earlier. Customize it for your needs, print it and have it notarized.
And have a great time with your children in Mexico!
|
Non-traveling parent name Address 1 Address 2 Town/City County/State Country Postal / ZIP Code [Date] TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN I, [Non-traveling Parent Name] give permission for [Traveling Parent Name] to travel abroad to Mexico with my Child/Children [Names of Traveling Child/Children] on [Date of Departure] and returning [Date of Return]. [Non-traveling parent name] |
Notes (Delete these before printing)
| Information in Square Brackets [] is for
customization.
| Ensure the dates of departure and return match
the airline ticket if you are traveling by air.
| Print, sign and notarize letter.
| Carry the letter with you when you travel
| This standard letter is provided for
convenience only and we make no claim to its suitability for individual's
use. If you are in doubt, call the airline and ask questions. | |
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