Re: Required Documents

[millybess]

When we travel to Cuba in January, we'll be taking a friend of my daughter who will not be 16 at the time of travel.
 
 Could someone please tell me what documents, besides a passport, she will require in order to leave Canada and enter Cuba?
 
 Will she need a letter from her parents?
 
 I called the passport office twice yesterday and got TWO different answers!

[Gambitt]

According to Luis Gomez, of the Cuban Embassy in Ottawa, children entering Cuba, without their parents, do not actually require a letter from the parents.
 
  According to him, "it is not a requirement of the Cuban Government, but it is good to have"
 
 Cheers
 
 Gambitt

[millybess]

Thanks a lot Gambitt.
 
 What about leaving Canada, do you know?  Does she only require a letter if her parents aren't together and it's one parent trying to take her out?
 
 I've received different responses to this question.  One fellow told me she would require it if she wasn't 16; the other said it was only if her parents are divorced.
 
 I could just easily get the letter and be done with it, but I don't want to arrive at the airport and find other "hidden" requirements.

[Gambitt]

My parents took our son Logan to Cuba last year to meet us there, and nobody asked any questions.  My parents had the letters, and never took them out of the bag.  They just wanted his passport.

[millybess]

Thanks Gambitt.  That's great.  That puts my mind at ease.

[debmich]

I would have ready a letter from the parents just in case, but I wouldn't bother having it notarized or anything like that!  Just make sure they put their contact numbers on it!
 
 Debbie

[millybess]

Thanks Deb.  I will do that.

[MarieMaya]

I'm a little late in answering this thread and I trust that you have your answer, Millybess, but we pondered that question a few years ago when my sister and I travelled to Cuba with our mom to celebrate her 80th b'day. I was taking one of our sons who was 11 and my sister took her little one who was 3 at the time. DH is a lawyer and did a bit of research as well. All sources pointed toward having one such magic letter.  Both he and my brother-in-law wrote letters "allowing" my sister and I to take the kids in Cuba and he notarized both letters. We were prepared just in case, but were never asked for the letters.  It would be a good precaution for you to have a letter for your daughter's friend, but I wouldn't go through the trouble of having it notarized.  Lucky kids though??? Can you imagine as a teen going to Cuba with your friend?  Have a great time!!!!!!!

[millybess]

Thanks Marie.  I have done just that and now have the letter in my "Cuba-bound" hands.  I didn't bother asking for it to be notarized.
 
 I took Deb's advice too and they have noted all of their contact numbers.
 
 I don't anticipate any problems.
 
 She is a lucky kid to be going.  But so are we.  She always adds to everyone's fun no matter where we go!

[MarieMaya]

That's great for all of you then!  You will be sure to have a great time.  The funny thing about travelling with kids is that since that trip, each time I have travelled to Cuba without my lovely family, I have always been asked by the Cuban authorities where my children and husband are (the kids are all on my passport). It's almost like a test as they name them individually in random order and alwaus ask if they know that I am going to Cuba!!!!!!!!

[sunluvr]

I think you made a wise decision Millybess.  The scenarios described here involved family members taking children on vacation...taking a minor with a different name than you without any consent is probably not a good idea.  My motto...better to be safe than sorry.     :)

[flopnfly]

I agree it's always good to have the letter.
 
 We always take one or two of my daughters friends with us.  They have always had a permission letter from their parents, but we have never been questioned or asked for it.  Either in Cuba or DR.
 
 It's still better to have it for peace of mind.
 
 Only one time were we ever questioned about anything, and that was the passport guy making a joke.  He said that we needed to have some boys because we had all girls.     :D

[MarieMaya]

That's too funny Heather, because since we have all boys, the Cubans often comment that we have the "perfect" family...quickly followed by donde esta la hembra???  :eek:  
 
 You raise a good point about the last names and that could perhaps have something to do with the curiosity.  I don't have the same last name as my husband and children, so having my kids on my passport with a different last name must be puzzling to the authorities.  I also have a stamp in my passport that reads something like "...entered the country with three minors on p.5 who appear to be related to her" with a line in front of the statement for the official to write yes or no.  This summer, they also added by hand on each of the kids' tourist cards "travelling with their mother".  Meanwhile, their father was right there with us, seemingly unimportant to the fact?  For his part, Craig is always challenged at the border about the number of times he has been to Cuba. How many times, are you sure? etc. Too funny.

[swmbo]

It is always best to take letters signed by  parents, in the UK it is possible that they will not let you leave without them, different airlines have there own regulations about children flying, there shouldn't be a problem but if you get a jobs worth at the airport it could cause problems