How to travel abroad with your children after divorce

Have you split with your spouse and are planning to take the little ones abroad? Perhaps you’d like to visit family members living out of the country, or simply enjoy a well-earned holiday?

Whatever your reason for travelling with the children after divorce, it can feel daunting and overwhelming. There’s a lot to think about, particularly as a single parent, which is why effective planning and preparation is important.

Here, we offer several tips on successfully jetting off with the kids so that you can enjoy your time away.

Consider legalities

Firstly, consider the child arrangement order you have in place, as you may need to get consent from your ex-partner to take your children out of the country. The Government states that “you must get the permission of everyone with parental responsibility for a child or from a court before taking the child abroad”.

This may be in the form of a signed letter of consent with the other parent’s contact information and details about the trip. If you don’t have permission, you’ll need court authorisation. If you’re unsure or need support with this, seek expert advice from a family solicitor who can help you navigate the legal implications of heading abroad.

Communicate openly

Open and transparent conversations with your ex are extremely important when organising your travel. You should give them key information about your trip, such as when you’re going, where you’ll be and what you’re planning to do when you’re there.

Being clear from the get-go and talking to them openly will ensure they feel part of the decision as a co-parent. Ultimately, this will help reduce the likelihood of disputes.

Organise documents

Next, start a list of the documents you’ll need to travel abroad with your kids. This may include a signed consent letter from the other parent (as mentioned above), a divorce certificate and your children’s birth certificate.

You’ll also need passports for everyone travelling, which you can apply for online. It’s important not to book anything until you have valid passports so that you have the correct document numbers. Certain countries may require a visa too, so check this before you travel.

Plan ahead

To make the trip as stress-free as possible, plan as much as you can in advance. This includes booking your accommodation, flights, and transfers, as well as planning things to do at your chosen destination.

You can also get organised with your packing by creating tick lists of items you’ll need for yourself and the kids. This will depend on their age and where you’re going, but may include games, books and toys, important medication, healthy snacks, spare clothing, wet wipes, and hand sanitiser.

By considering the legalities, communicating with your ex, organising essential documents and planning ahead, you can be best prepared for an enjoyable trip abroad with your kids.