Mother traveling with Kids

I will be traveling with my two kids to Merida. We all have a valid US Passport. Will they require a letter from the father? Help

[sparks]

A notarized letter ... and check with the airlines for what they need

[aj97918]

You can go and get the notarized letter at your closest Legal Aid office at free of charge (for me it was free of charge). Your husband also has to sign the notarized letter also.

[Quién Soy Yo?]

The parent not accompanying the children provides the notarized letter. The parent traveling with the children is an indication that she approves of the travel out of the USA and into Mexico (and back again into the USA - don't forget the re-entry process which can frequently be more difficult than getting into Mexico). Notarizing a letter in the USA will cost you about $5 in most places; it can also be free for the asking.

[BajaGringo]

Who gives free notary service for a letter? The only time I have gotten free notary service was when I was signing loan docs at a bank or escrow company office...

[Quién Soy Yo?]

If you live in the USA and you don't have a friend or relative who's a Notary Public, then you've been living an isolated life. Many people in real estate are notary's, many office secretary's are notary's, your lawyer and accountant are a Notary or have one in their office, your doctor's secretary may be a notary, etc., etc. If you can't get it for free, then the cost will be very small.

[BajaGringo]

It has nothing at all to do with living an "isolated life". It's just plain old respect. I would never dream of imposing on a friend to provide a service for free for which they studied for, pay licensing fees for and is a source of income for them. So would you go to your "friend" the mechanic and ask him to change your oil for free? Do you ask your "friend" the electrician to come over and install a plug for free? You know it would only take him a minute, right? How about asking your "friend" the gardner to just touch up your front hedge? He could probably do it in 5 minutes...

I mention this because in spite of my "isolated life", I have come to know several notaries and they have complained to me on occasion how friends and family all think nothing of just "popping in" to get something notarized. Most people asking for the favor think that it is no big deal and don't realize that most notaries would tell you that they would prefer all of their friends and family never knew they were notaries because they are so tired of being taken advantage of.

Those of you who provide or provided a service at one time in your life, be it as an electrician, plumber, carpenter, computer technician or whatever trade it be know what I am talking about. You get tired of people thinking that you should just provide your service for free "for them". Whether it costs them money or just their time, why should you be special and not have to pay for a service provided? It has nothing to do with living an "isolated life". It's just respect...

[Quién Soy Yo?]

I would never dream of imposing on a friend to provide a service for free for which they studied for, pay licensing fees for and is a source of income for them.

You clearly misunderstand who/what a "notary public" is in the USA. "Study", I find that lack of understanding of the role of a notary public almost unbelievable, and I say that as someone who was a notary in the USA. Honey . . . you're not in Kansas anymore! ;-)

[BajaGringo]

Are you saying that you are not required to take coursework or pay a licensing fee to be a notary? Or are you implying that the service provided by a notary is one that does not merit compensation? I understand perfectly what a notary does and have used them frequently in business and personal affairs.

My daughter's mother-in-law is a branch manager of a Wells Fargo bank in Los Angeles and is constantly irritated when people think that they can just stroll in and get free notary service. When they are told that a notary service is located right around the corner not 100 feet from the bank some actually throw a fit right there in the lobby. They don't understand what the problem is since that person is already on the payroll??? I have heard of a bank that does provide free notary service to certain $$$ level customers but it is not an automatic service which is what many (like you apparently) assume.

At a bank, that person on the payroll is typically a loan officer and provides notary services for loan docs to close the loan. They are not sitting all day at a desk waiting for someone to need them as a notary. In a real estate or escrow office they are typically agents or support staff who also provide notary services for mortgage and property title docs. When a business employs a person who is also a notary it is to provide notary services for their business transactions and not for the convenience of the general public. That person performs other duties - not just notary services. To assume that person should just "make an exception for you" is both arrogant as well as demeaning to the service provided in my opinion.

Sorry Toto, but I think you fell out of the balloon and hit your head on this one...

[Quién Soy Yo?]

Notary Public requirements may differ amongst the states in the USA, but none require any special training courses education, testing, etc. Most states simply require you to complete an application, post a bond that costs you about US$10 a year and then they send you your stamp/seal together with a booklet explaining what you can and can't do, and how to affix the seal, etc. (if you're not already aware of how to do those things.).

Banks typically provide notary services for their customers, either for free or for a very small charge. Law ofices have one or more secretaries who will notarize documents usually without charge, and your accountant is likely to also provide complimentary notary service. Friends frequently notarize documents for people they know, for no charge. Finding a free or inexpensive notary is easy.

And, yes, I was and remain a notary public for the state in which I lived in the USA.

So that people not too familiar with Mexico don't get confused, a "notary public" in the USA performs functions different (for the most part) than a "Notario Publico" performs in Mexico. A "Notario Publico" is a specially-licensed attorney.