I'm hoping someone can answer this question. I'm cruising with my two daughters to Playa del Carmen. My husband isn't coming. Do I have to have a notorized letter with his permission for them to go into Mexico? I read this somewhere so I wanted to find out for sure.

Not on a cruise, as long as the children have the same last name as you and your husband, and have their birth certificates or passports they will be fine. I do recommend to my clients that if one parent is not sailing then it is not a bad idea to have a notarized letter with them, but so far nobody has had to use it.

yes you will need to have a form filled out for both children and noterized and signed by your sponse, I had to do this with my grand children and my daughter, she needed the paper to travel with the children, since daddy stayed home, and we had to show them at customs and we also had to show the cruise line. Fran

Yes, a letter is required for travel to Mexico, and strongly suggested all other times.

From the Carnival Web site (Carnival Minor Policies)

"When traveling with a minor and both parents/legal guardians are not cruising, we strongly recommend bringing an original signed letter from the absent parent/legal guardian authorizing the minor to travel with you. This will expedite processing by the Department of Homeland Security. Please note that a notarized letter to this effect is required if debarking with children in Mexico."

Always better to be safe than sorry. Even if no one asks for it, best to have it. As mentioned, some cruise lines require it.

Question for Carol,
What if you are traveling with children whose last name is different? I have remarried and my children still have my ex-husband's last name. Will it be okay if I just bring my marriage license? Or do I need a notarized letter from him? (YIKES! He will make my life horrible just for asking!)

Thanks,