A summary of SOUTH AFRICAN REGULATIONS for CHILD TRAVELERS

South Africa has implemented immigration regulations that concern all travelers under the age of 18, traveling into/out of/transiting South Africa. Updated November 2019

The rules require all afore-mentioned affected passengers to:
1. IF CHILD IS TRAVELLING WITH BOTH PARENTS

(a) Present an “unabridged” birth certificate along with a passport when arriving, departing, or transiting South Africa.
(Unabridged birth certificate indicates that the birth certificate must reflect the particulars of the parents of the child.)

(b) IF CHILD IS TRAVELLING WITH ONE PARENT

Present an “unabridged” birth certificate; and

1. Consent in form of an affidavit from the other parent registered as parent on the birth certificate of the child authorizing him/her to enter into or depart from the Republic with the child he or she is travelling with; (Affidavit may not be older than 3 months, dating from the date of travel.); or

2. Court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship in respect of the child, if he or she is the parent or legal guardian of the child; or
3. Where applicable, a death certificate of the other parent registered as a parent of the child on the birth certificate.

2. IF PERSON IS TRAVELLING WITH A CHILD WHO IS NOT THEIR BIOLOGICAL CHILD

1. Present an “unabridged” birth certificate of the child; and

2. An affidavit from the parents or legal guardian of the child confirming that he or she has permission to travel with the child; and

3. Copies of the identity documents or passports of the parents or legal guardian of the child;

4. Contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the child.

3. IF CHILD IS TRAVELLING AS AN UNACOMMPANIED MINOR

1. Proof of consent from one of or both his/her parents or legal guardian in form of a letter or affidavit for the child to travel into or depart from the Republic.

2. Letter from the person who is to receive the child in the Republic, containing his/her residential addresses and contact details in the Republic where the child will be residing;

3. Copy of the identity document or valid passport and visa or Permanent residence permit of the person who is to receive the child in the republic; and

4. Contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the child

Note that copies of the documents mentioned above may be presented but they will have to be certified true copies of the original by a commissioner of oaths/notaries or equivalent commissioning authority.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE DEPT OF HOME AFFAIRS CUSTOMER CARE NUMBER 0800 60 11 90.