Father wins legal battle for daughter’s passport

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

A mother must hand over her daughter’s passport to her ex-husband during his visits, a court has ruled, following a dispute over his right to take the child abroad.

The father had taken legal action after repeated refusals from his former wife, who argued their daughter was too young to travel and needed care from women.

He contended that, as her legal guardian, he had every right to take her with him during his time with her.

Attempts

His lawyer, Mohammed Al Majid, said the case was brought after his client’s attempts to resolve the issue outside court failed.

The father, who has remarried and has other children, wanted his daughter to spend time with his wider family, some of whom live outside Bahrain.

Court records show that the mother opposed this, maintaining that the girl needed a stable routine and that she did not want to travel.

However, the court found no proof that the child objected. Key documents It ruled that key documents such as passports should be held by the parent who has physical custody at any given time.

Since the father has access to his daughter during visits, the court determined he should have her passport while she is in his care. The ruling confirmed his right to travel with her but made clear that he could not move her permanently abroad without the mother’s consent.

The mother must now hand over the passport and identity card during his visits and pay his legal costs.