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Relaxation of travel documentation when travelling with minors in and out of South Africa

As of 1 June 2015, stricter conditions were enforced regarding the travelling of minors (under the age of 18) in and out of the Republic of South Africa. These conditions were slightly relaxed at the end of 2018.

The new legislature now does not require the unabridged birth certificate to accompany the minor if travelling with both biological parents. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs in South Africa does still advise that unabridged birth certificates be carried while travelling and crossing neighboring borders (in case there are doubts that the minor belongs to the biological parents) ie. if the surname differs to that of the parent/s. If the parent/s do not hold the correct birth certificate/documents at the border posts, a period of 24 hours is provided to acquire such documentation on arrival.

For Foreign Children Travelling from visa free countries to and from South Africa the following documentation is required:

  • For children travelling with both parents – a passport of the child, it is stongly advised to have the birth certificate which features the details of the parents.

  • For children travelling with one parent – a passport of the child; a copy of birth certificate of the child with parents details; a copy of the passport of parents or a legal guardian of the child; contact details of parent/s or legal guardian; where applicable – a copy of the adoption order or another court order or a copy of the death certificate.

  • For children travelling to South Africa alone – a passspor of the child; a proof of consent from one or both parents or legal guardian; a copy of the passport of parents or legal guardian of the child; contact details of the parent, parents or legal quardian of the child; a letter from the person who is receiving the child in the RSA, containing his or her residential address and contact details in the RSA and where the child will be residing; a copy of the identity card or valid passport and visa or permanent residence permit; where applicable a copy of the adoption order or another court order or death certificate.

     

    Comments to the required documentation:

  • Copies of original documents are sufficient and need not be certified.

  • Consent of parent/parents simply in the form of a letter and need not be notarized or be an affidavit.

  • The „Parental Consent letter“ should be in English, official translation is not required.

    Please contact the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Prague for any further updated information (addressed for travellers from the Czech Republic).

Information to topic application of regulations:

Some of air companies are still requiring a legalized parental consent letter. For this reason it is recommended to have verified signature on the parental consent letter for your smooth travel.

Attachments

Amended immigraton regulation travelling with minors 72 KB DOCX (FILE_TYPE_DOCX) May 13, 2019