Trinidad and Tobago: Documentation required and procedures to be followed by a parent wishing to travel abroad with a minor child in the absence, or without the consent, of the second parent
| Publisher | Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa |
| Publication Date | 7 November 2006 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | TTO101937.E |
| Reference | 7 |
| Cite as | Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Trinidad and Tobago: Documentation required and procedures to be followed by a parent wishing to travel abroad with a minor child in the absence, or without the consent, of the second parent, 7 November 2006, TTO101937.E, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/45f147ae7.html [accessed 23 May 2013] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In 26 October 2006 correspondence with the Research Directorate, the Consul General at the Consulate General of Trinidad and Tobago in Toronto indicated that "a minor may travel accompanied by one parent except when there is an existing custody order or other Court order that requires formal consent for travel. In the absence of both parents, consent is required from one of the responsible parents."
In 3 November 2006 correspondence with the Research Directorate, an official at the Canadian High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago provided the following information:
In cases where a child or children under 18 years of age are to travel on their own or with just one parent [the Canadian High Commission] routinely ask[s] for the child's birth certificate. If both parents are named on the birth certificate [the Canadian High Commission] routinely ask[s] for the written consent of the other parent. In Trinidad and Tobago parents who are named on the birth certificate have custody rights.
In cases where a parent is not named on the birth certificate (usually the father) that missing parent has no custody right under Trinidad and Tobago law. [The Canadian High Commission] would accordingly not usually require such written consent.
The Official at the Canadian High Commission also indicated that when both parents are named on the birth certificate and one of the parents declares that she or he cannot obtain the other parent's authorization to travel because that parent had abandoned them and cannot be located, the Canadian High Commission "would advise the traveling parent to seek custody of the child in question through the courts or at least the court's permission to remove the child from their jurisdiction for whatever travel period is contemplated." (3 Nov. 2006).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Canada. 3 November 2006. Canadian High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago, Port of Spain. Correspondence from an official.
Trinidad and Tobago. 26 October 2006. Consulate General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in Toronto. Correspondence from the Consul General.
Additional Sources Consulted
Internet sites, including: The Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago; Ministry of the Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago, Washington, DC; United States Bureau of Consular Affairs.
