Tips for traveling with children
Reminder of the rules for traveling with children to and from South Africa.
It’s a good time to remind you of the rules for traveling with children to and from South Africa.
Here are some of the tips from the Department of Home Affairs.
These rules apply to minors (children under the age of 18) travelling with both parents or just one, children travelling with someone other than a parent and children travelling on their own.
All minors require the consent of their parents when travelling to and from South Africa.
Remember it is important to start getting your documents together in advance, but no sooner than four months before the departure date.
The documents must be no older than four months.
The Department of Home Affairs requires different documents depending on whether the child is travelling with both parents.
The child’s birth certificate must show details of both parents. They require the child’s passport and adoption certificate, in the case of adopted children.
The exceptions in this case? If both parents and the child have valid South African visas, birth certificates are not required.
The parents and child would have proven their ‘family’ status during the visa application process when the birth certificate was submitted as part of the visa application.
For parents of children born in South Africa, the DHA used to differentiate between ‘unabridged’ and ‘abridged’ birth certificates but abridged certificates have been discontinued.
Due to this the DHA has decided there is no need for the name ‘unabridged birth certificate’.
These certificates are now simply called a ‘birth certificate’.
If the child is travelling with one parent, they require the child’s birth certificate, showing details of both parents and the child’s passport.
An affidavit from the non-travelling parent giving permission for the child to travel with the other parent is also required.
Where one parent holds sole custody, a court order giving the accompanying parent full parental responsibility will be required instead.
The following documents are required if the child is travelling with one parent and the other parent has passed away:
The child’s birth certificate, showing details of both parents.
The child’s passport. Death certificate of the deceased parent.
A single parent travelling with a child will need:
The child’s birth certificate.
The child’s passport and a court order giving the parent full parental responsibility.
It is important to note that if only one parent’s name appears on the birth certificate, it is not necessary to get parental consent from the absent parent.
However, if the names of both parents appear, the non-travelling parent must give consent by means of an affidavit.
A letter of special circumstances should be produced if the absent parent cannot be traced.
A child travelling with divorced or legally separated parent means the following documents must be provided:
The child’s birth certificate, showing details of both parents.
The child’s passport and an affidavit from the non-travelling parent giving permission for the child to travel with the other parent.
Where one parent holds sole custody, a court order giving the accompanying parent full parental responsibility will be required instead.
If a child is travelling with someone other than the parent(s) the following doumentation is required:
The child’s birth certificate, showing details of both parents.
The child’s passport.Affidavit from the parents or legal guardian giving consent for the child to travel.
Contact details of the parents or legal guardians.
Copies of the identity documents and passports of the parents or legal guardians.
Please note:
If both parents have passed away and the child is travelling with a family member, the Director-General must approve such a person to enter or leave South Africa with the child.
This affidavit may not be older than three months, from the date of travel.
A child travelling alone must present:
Child’s birth certificate, showing details of both parents. Child’s passport.
Parental consent affidavit or court order signed by both parents or legal guardian, including contact details of the parents or guardians.
A letter from the person the child will be staying with, showing contact numbers and the physical address where the child will be staying.
Name and contact details of the hosts, as well as certified copies of their identity documents or passports, visas or permanent residence permits.
Exemptions to the rules when travelling with children to and from South Africa:
Minors in direct transit at an international airport will not need supporting documents. In the case of countries endorsing particulars of parents in children’s passports, or other official identification documents, these documents shall be deeemd acceptable for the purpose of establishing the identity of parents.
