You will need the permission of everyone with parental responsibility (PR) to change your child’s school, GP, their name and even to take them on holiday.
PR is automatically given to mothers but is only given to fathers if they are named on the birth certificate, married to the mother when the child is born, or obtaining an Order from the Court confirming they have PR.
With the summer holidays coming up, if you are a mother or father that is planning on taking your child abroad, even just for a long weekend, if you do not have the permission of the other parent (and anyone else with PR) then you could be abducting your own child.
You should obtain the other parent’s written consent to the holiday by obtaining a signed letter from them. You will need to provide to the non-travelling parent, full details of the holiday, such as flight details and accommodation details before they can confirm their agreement.
If you try and leave the country without written permission from everyone with PR, you could be refused entry into the country and could be accused of abducting your child.
Don’t waste the cost of a holiday and risk being refused, obtain a letter from everyone with PR. If the other party refuses then you can make an Application to court for permission to go on the holiday.
We are able to draft a letter and send to everyone with PR for them to sign, confirming their approval to your travel and help you with court proceedings if necessary.
We have offices in Droitwich, Worcester and Evesham. For further information, please contact Izabelle Gisby or a member of the Family department on 01905 775533 or email worcester@parkinsonwright.co.uk