Family consent letters, declarations and powers of attorney in Northern Ireland

For a parent with parental responsibility who is not going on the trip: a signed letter consenting to the child travelling abroad, the Republic of Ireland included, with the other parent, grandparents, a school or another family. Taking a child under 16 out of the United Kingdom without everyone’s consent or the court’s leave can be an offence (Article 3 of the Child Abduction (Northern Ireland) Order 1985). There is no official form; the letter names the child, the trip and the dates.

For a resident of Northern Ireland unhappy with a council service or decision — bins and recycling, street cleaning, environmental health, planning, building control, leisure centres, council car parks, or poor handling of an earlier request: a formal complaint under the council's complaints procedure, saying what happened, what you have done so far and what you want the council to do. Use the council's online form if it has one. If you are still unhappy after its final reply, the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman looks at complaints free of charge.

For someone in Northern Ireland who has revoked a power of attorney given under the Powers of Attorney Act (Northern Ireland) 1971: a letter to a bank, building society, utility, landlord or any organisation the attorney has dealt with, saying the power has ended, asking it to stop taking the attorney’s instructions and to confirm this in writing. It encloses a copy of the deed of revocation and goes by Royal Mail Signed For or by hand.

For anyone in Northern Ireland asked by a bank, employer, DVLA, a pension scheme or another organisation to confirm facts by statutory declaration — a lost document, living together, a name used or a family link. You write the facts in numbered paragraphs; the document adds the words the Statutory Declarations Act 1835 requires. You sign it in person before a solicitor, commissioner for oaths, notary public or justice of the peace; a commissioner’s fee is £5, plus £2 for each exhibit (SR 1993/418).

For a claimant in Northern Ireland who disagrees with a Department for Communities decision on Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Employment and Support Allowance, Carer's Allowance or another benefit. A written request to look again at the decision, within one month of it, or later with your reasons: it names the decision, says why it is wrong, lists new evidence, asks for the evidence used and for a mandatory reconsideration notice, the step before an appeal to The Appeals Service. The journal and the phone line are free alternatives. Posted first class. Sold blank.

For anyone whose request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 — to a public authority in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, or a UK-wide body — was refused in whole or part, answered incompletely or not answered within 20 working days: a request for an internal review, giving your reasons and asking for the outcome within 20 working days, the step before a complaint to the Information Commission (the ICO). Send it by email within 40 working days of the reply. A Scottish public authority’s answer is reviewed under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 instead: use the Scottish requirement for review.

For a homeowner, tenant or landlord asked to confirm in writing that a person — a partner, grown-up child, relative or lodger — lives at the address, often for a bank account, a phone contract, a school or a GP registration. The UK has no residence certificate, so organisations ask for bills or statements, and some accept a letter like this; ask them first what they accept. The letter states since when the person has lived there and gives your contact details.

For anyone who wants information held by a council, government department, NHS or HSC body, police force, school or other public authority in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, or a UK-wide body, including its offices in Scotland: a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, also covering environmental information, asking for a reply within 20 working days. Many authorities have their own free online form or FOI email address. A Scottish public authority — the Scottish Government, a Scottish council, NHS Scotland or a Scottish school — answers under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 instead: use the Scottish request for it.

For anyone who wants a relative, friend or carer to speak to their bank, energy or phone company, council or landlord for them: a signed letter naming the person, the accounts or matter, and whether they may only discuss it and receive information or also give instructions. It lets the organisation share your personal data with them, and you can withdraw it at any time. Many organisations have their own free form; use that if they ask.

For a parent or other person with parental responsibility who agrees that the other parent, or someone else, may apply for a British passport for the child. Usually one person with parental responsibility signs the application, but HM Passport Office may ask for the consent of everyone who has it — for example after a separation. The letter names the child and the applicant, gives your contact details and encloses a copy of your ID. Send it with the application, or as HMPO asks.