Hi, New Here Need Some Help

[MJluvs2cruz]

:confused: Hi everyone,
Let me try this again. I don't know if part of my first post made it or not. I've been lurking here for a while and have found your information helpful and informative. I will try and give back info when I can.

This is my situation. My DH and I are taking my son and his friend on the Zuiderdam in April. I emailed HAL and asked them what kind of documentation I will need for my sons friend. They replied and said, we will need a notorized letter of consent from both parents and or court copies that one parent has soul custody, a birth certificate, and if the child will be 14 or older they will need a state issued identification card.

His mother does have soul custody and court papers to prove that, so the notarized letter will not be a problem. This is where the problem might be. I just found out that his original birth certificate has a different name on it. The mother had his named changed when he was three years old because the father was not involved in his life. She changed his name back to her maiden name. She does have the notarized court documentation of this. This is my question. Should we bring both his birth certificate and the court docs with the name change or should we just bring the notarized court doc with the name change?

Thanks in advance for your help.

MJ

[doone]

Bring it all to be safe. You will need the notarized letter from the mother and also the court papers for his name change. My sister had to do this a few years back, she brought the court papers for my nephews because her stupid ex wouldn't sign the notarized letter giving her permission to take them on the cruise, so a judge had to grant her permission (talk about wasting courts time). Sounds like if you take everything with you, you'll be just fine.

Both boys will have a wonderful time.

[MJluvs2cruz]

Thank you, for your reply. It helps to know that other people have been throught this! I was just so worried that we would get there and they would say "nope sorry this won't due." Thanks, I feel a whole lot better now!

MJ

[doone]

Just be sure you have everything with you, including the notarized letter from his mom. I will tell you this, my sister was asked to produce the letter and she gave the check in person the judge's letter and asked if she didn't have this information what would happen. The check in person said, we would have had to deny you boarding, so take everything you have with you and you'll be fine. Oh, incidently, the boys took a friend on the cruise with them as well, we also had to show the notarized letter from his parents as well, we had no problems.

What we put in the letter was that you had permission to take, boys name, on, name of ship, dates. Then we also added that you have permission to treat, his name, medically, just in case something happens and he needs medical attention. If you have that in place, you won't need it, but if you don't, you will, know what I mean!!!!

Have a great cruise.

[MJluvs2cruz]

I would have never thought about medical treatment. I'll definitely have his mother add that to the letter. Thank You soooo much!!! You've been a great help!!

[doone]

Your welcome, I am glad I thought about it as well so I could tell you. Its been a few years since we had to do that, but glad I remembered. Also, be sure to take his health care card along with you as well, just in case. I always take mine, no matter what.

Here is another thought. Have you thought about getting a passport for your sons friend? This way, all you would need is the passport and the notarized letter from his mom, no taking the court papers as well. Just a thought.

[MJluvs2cruz]

Your just full of good advice Doone!! I'll have his mom do the passport! That will make it so much easier. Then all I'll need is the notorized letter and the copies of her custody papers, and the insurance card!

I see your from New England too! It sure is cold outside today. We're supposed to get a couple of inches of snow here in Connecticut today. What's your forecast? We take the kids snowboarding in Massachusetts almost every weekend!

[doone]

As I was typing that last response, I thought about the passport, it will make it so much easier for you, and the kids will have a blast.

Yes, right outside of Worcester. Snow tonight, snow this weekend, bitterly cold today. I can't wait for my cruise in March, these cold, snowy days make you appreciate that cruise ship more, doesn't it!!!!!!

Glad I was able to help you and if I think of anything else, I'll post it here.

Stay warm!!!