I'm about to apply for my child's British passport.

I understand to take him out of the country I need to get his mother to sign a consent form. This isn't a problem.

What I'd like to know is if there is a shelf life to the consent that has been signed? If the passport takes 6 months will the consent still be valid?

I don't think this is so. I have repeatedly taken my boys to visit the U.S., and have never been asked to provide any document from their mother.

You'll need to check the requirements of the country you're travelling to for entry and departure, that will determine whether the letter is required and whether there is a shelf life.

To be on the safe side, have the mother write and sign a Consent Letter for Travel (as a Solo Parent Travelling with Kids) as close to the date you intend on departing the country, along with a copy of the child's birth certificate showing you as the father and a copy of the mother's passport or National ID, all signed by the mother.

It is highly unlikely you will be asked anything when departing Cambodia, and certainly not if you share the same last name. If your kids don't have your last name, then you may be questioned, so better to have the letter to be on the safe side.

I do this whenever I travel with the kids without my wife, not once have I ever been questioned, kids have my last name, but I'm a firm believer of it's better to be safe than sorry.


topic55333.html

Thanks guys..
Peace of mind at least, will be traveling with too many documents just to be on the safe side

My daughter wants to come to NZ, so I'm going to Cambodia to take her back with me early next year. Her mother will be happy to write a letter of permission. Does the permission letter need to be written in English or Cambodia (or both) and witnessed by a public official or lawyer? I have a copy of the birth certificate with my name as the father, and we share the same surname. I also have a certificate of New Zealand citizenship for her and her NZ passport. We may be travelling through Thailand or direct to Singapore. Will they ask for the documents too? I maybe worrying too much, but I'd hate to go all that way and have to go home by myself.

To echo the experience of others, when I have travelled solo with my daughter on her British passport, a letter of consent from her mum has never been requested, although I have always had one. I I would imagine that would be different if she were travelling on a Cambodian passport, but otherwise she's treated as a British national. I'm sure you'll be fine.

rexwell wrote: ↑Fri Oct 13, 2023 12:43 pm My daughter wants to come to NZ, so I'm going to Cambodia to take her back with me early next year. Her mother will be happy to write a letter of permission. Does the permission letter need to be written in English or Cambodia (or both) and witnessed by a public official or lawyer? I have a copy of the birth certificate with my name as the father, and we share the same surname. I also have a certificate of New Zealand citizenship for her and her NZ passport. We may be travelling through Thailand or direct to Singapore. Will they ask for the documents too? I maybe worrying too much, but I'd hate to go all that way and have to go home by myself.

Most governments have a template, I used that one. In your case I would look for a template from NZ and use that one.

rexwell wrote: ↑Fri Oct 13, 2023 12:43 pm My daughter wants to come to NZ, so I'm going to Cambodia to take her back with me early next year. Her mother will be happy to write a letter of permission. Does the permission letter need to be written in English or Cambodia (or both) and witnessed by a public official or lawyer? I have a copy of the birth certificate with my name as the father, and we share the same surname. I also have a certificate of New Zealand citizenship for her and her NZ passport. We may be travelling through Thailand or direct to Singapore. Will they ask for the documents too? I maybe worrying too much, but I'd hate to go all that way and have to go home by myself.

I have travelled to NZ, and other countries,with my kids, without my wife, through Thailand and Malaysia, never once was I questioned as per my previous post in this thread. Even my wife has travelled internationally with the kids without me, different last names, and she has never been questioned. However, we always write a letter, and carry necessary documentation, as per my previous post, just to be on the safe side.

Thanks for your help guys. I'm probably overthinking it. My daughter has fair skin and brown hair like me and generally resembles me in appearance, but luckily has her mother's good looks.
I travelled with my young son thru Bali, Malaysia and Thailand back in the 80's without a second glance, but I had concerns things had changed. Anyway, I'll carry a letter of permission, her birth certificate, and her NZ certificate of citizenship with me and fingers crossed we should be golden.