16 yr old with different last name/entry to DR

[jjjday]

We are taking our 16 year old daughter to Punta Cana with us who has a different last name. I have read various feedback on what is needed:
passport
passport with birth certificate
passport or birth certificate with letter from absent parents
passport with notarized letter from absent parents
passport with notarized letter by consulate (where ever that is in the US)
birth certificate with photo ID with divorce papers, with letter from parent, with....
and many many more.....
Does anyone know first hand what in the heck I need?! We travel to Mexico every year and just take birth certificate and photo ID with a notarized letter--she does have a passport on the way right now (hopefully!)
Thank you for any help

[JanH]

I've taken my son out of the country several times, including the DR, and he has a different last name. We just take his birth certificate and before he was 16, he took his school photo ID. After 16, it was his birth certificate and driver's license.

This year, I finally broke down and got him a passport, so he doesn't have to carry the birth certificate any more.

That's it. No divorce papers - no letters - nada. Do you have something in your divorce papers that says you can't take the child more than xxx miles away from home? If so, I guess a notarized letter from the ex wouldn't hurt.

[jjjday]

No... I can take her where I want. We have gone out of the country several times and I have always had to have a letter from her dad notarized. In fact, a friend of our's did not get to go with us on our last trip to Cancun because he lacked the letter for his stepson.
I do not mind getting a notarized letter as we always do, but I read on one more that it must be notarized by a consular or consulate.????????
I will just take her passport and the normal letter and hope that is adequate!
Thank you so much

[maryanne]

I always travel with my daughter and I carry her passport and an affidavit notarized by a lawyer (from Canada) signed by her father giving me permission to take her. And we even have the same last name. On several occasions, a friend's daughter has also accompanied us without her parents, and we have done the same thing.
I would say that approx. 3 out of 5 times, I have been asked for that letter while checking in at the Toronto airport. And 5 out of 5 times, I have been asked for that letter upon returning to Canada (at Immigration). When I have to connect in the US, US Customs ALWAYS asks for that letter.

Do whatever you do for Mexico. You don't want to be denied boarding at the airport.

Maryanne

[MrMike]

My son's last name is different from mine as his mother and I were never married, and I have been hassled repeatedly at the airport, both picking him up and sending him off.

It is possible that there would be less hassle if I was traveling with him but I am not sure. Last time he would not have been able to board the plane to get back to his Mom if my current wife had not turned out to be a family friend of the immigrations guy at the Santiago airport.

I had a notarized letter from his mom but a) the departure date had changed, and b) the notary was not the notary from the Dominican consulate in Miami as airline regulations stipulate.

He is 10, not 16 though so maybe that makes things harder too.

[jjjday]

That is exactly what I keep reading about "The Dominican consulate."
How in the world do I get a notary from a Dominican consulate (I live in New Mexico)?
I agree with everyone: take everything just in case; however, I do not know how to achieve the above.
Thank you everyone for responding and I appreciate any further suggestions.

[pati]

Call the Dominican Consulate in Washington 202-387-2447. They would be best to advise you on where to go and what you need.