Correction to my previous note..
Daughter advises me she had to send a scanned signed letter, not an e mail.

Slightly more secure than an e mail..

Had a silly situation not too long ago where a well-known performer travelling under his stage name (passport in that name even) was challenged at the country of arrival. His passport (unusually) showed his true name as an alias. He had is young son with him, the son travelling on his own passport. Held in airport detention until officials could contact the appropriate authorities in his home country. Because of the time difference, here was there for around 12 hours, I believe.

It's understandable that authorities are looking to curtail the illegal transportation of youngsters inter-country, with the resulting costs of sorting the mess out, let alone the angst suffered by aggrieved parents.

But it can be a bit of an inconvenience, both for the "family" travelling, and for other travellers held up by the extra work that has to be done by officials at the destination

Le Vieux