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Must I get my co-parent’s consent to take our kids to Mexico?

On Behalf of | Jul 6, 2024 | Child Custody |

With the ravages of Hurricane Beryl cutting through the Yucatan Peninsula, now might not be the ideal time to plan a Mexican vacation.

But what about trips planned to Cabo San Lucas, far out of the reach of the storm? Do divorced parents who want to take their children from Texas to Mexico require their co-parent’s permission?

What to know when leaving the USA with your kids

As of 2014, the Mexican government states they only require passports for children traveling on vacations to their country. But in cases of divorce where the kids will be traveling with only one parent, it is advisable to come prepared with a letter of permission from the absent parent.

This is important because you will be dealing with the rules and regulations of a country other than the United States. Simply getting a passport for your minor children generally involves the permission of the child’s other parent, so make sure that you have that hurdle covered well in advance.

Can the other parent refuse to consent?

That could occur in some cases, e.g., if the parent entering Mexico has Mexican or dual citizenship with that country and there are concerns about international child abduction. 

In matters involving the custody of children, the courts could side with the refusing parent. That’s why it is always best to have an agreement with the child’s other parent before making travel arrangements that require foreign travel.

Mediation can get you on the same page

When co-parents have differences of opinion on custody matters, litigation should be the last resort. Often, mediation is the better choice to help you reach accord on these thorny issues.

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