Travelling With Minor Children

Children under the age of 18 travelling internationally may require additional documentation depending on who they are travelling with.

Parents and guardians should ensure that all required documents are prepared before departure.

IMPORTANT:

This guide focuses on South African travel documentation requirements.

Airlines, transit countries and destination countries may have additional requirements and should also be checked before travel.

Carry:

• Child's valid passport
• Child's Unabridged Birth Certificate

The birth certificate should show the child's parent details.

Parents should ensure that the names and identifying information on the documents correspond with the child's travel documents.

DHA exemption: A separate birth certificate is not required where the child’s passport contains the details of their parent or parents. South African children travelling to South Africa on South African passports may travel without birth certificates. Keeping the Unabridged Birth Certificate with your travel documents remains a practical precaution for an international journey.

Carry:

• Child's valid passport
• Child's Unabridged Birth Certificate
• Completed Parental Consent Affidavit / Parental Consent Letter from the non-travelling parent
• Copy of the non-travelling parent's South African ID or passport
• Contact details of the non-travelling parent

Where applicable, also carry:

• Death certificate of a deceased parent
• Court order granting sole guardianship, full parental responsibilities and rights, or other relevant authority
• Adoption documentation where applicable

IMPORTANT:

The parental consent documentation must be completed and signed by the relevant non-travelling parent.

The consent period should not exceed 6 months.

This includes children travelling with:

• Grandparents
• Other relatives
• Family friends
• Teachers
• Group leaders
• Other adults who are not the child's parent or legal guardian

Carry:

• Child's valid passport
• Child's Unabridged Birth Certificate
• Completed Parental Consent Affidavit / Parental Consent Letter
• Copies of the parent(s)' or legal guardian(s)' South African ID or passport
• Contact details of the parent(s) or legal guardian(s)
• Details of the adult travelling with the child

Where applicable, also carry:

• Death certificate of a deceased parent
• Court order
• Guardianship documentation
• Adoption documentation

This section is particularly important for children travelling with grandparents or relatives.

ONE PARENT DECEASED

Carry the death certificate of the deceased parent where applicable.

SOLE GUARDIANSHIP / FULL PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Carry the relevant court order or legal documentation confirming the parent's or guardian's authority.

ADOPTED CHILD

Carry the relevant adoption documentation where applicable.

LEGAL GUARDIAN

Carry the legal guardian's appointment documentation or court order together with the guardian's ID or passport.

CHILD IN ALTERNATIVE CARE

Carry a letter from the Provincial Head of the Department of Social Development where the child resides, authorising departure under section 169 of the Children’s Act.

PARENT UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO PROVIDE CONSENT

Additional legal authorisation or a court order may be required.

Where parental consent is required, the relevant parent or parents must complete and sign the required consent documentation.

Use the official Department of Home Affairs Parental Consent Letter supplied with this resource.

The DHA form includes provision for:

• Child's details
• Passport number
• Travel dates
• Person accompanying or receiving the child
• Mother
• Father
• Legal Guardian
• Contact details
• Signatures
• Supporting documents

IMPORTANT:

Both parents whose details appear on the child's birth certificate should provide consent where both parents' consent is required.

Where only one parent's details appear on the birth certificate, only that parent's consent is required.

The consent period stipulated on the DHA form may not exceed 6 months.

Parental Consent Letter

Suggested format for consent for a person under the age of 18 to travel to or from the Republic of South Africa.

The original two-page DHA PDF is supplied unchanged.

Keep the child's important travel documents together and easily accessible during the journey.

Do not place all supporting documents inside checked baggage.

It is advisable to keep copies of important documents separately from the originals.

South Africa’s traveller declaration requirements also apply to children and infants. A parent or legal guardian may complete and submit the declaration on behalf of a minor.

This is a customs requirement and is separate from the parental consent documentation.

Official SARS information

This resource provides general guidance based on current South African travel requirements.

Requirements may change.

Travellers should confirm the latest requirements with the Department of Home Affairs, Border Management Authority, their airline and any relevant transit or destination country before departure.

Pilgrim Companion does not provide legal advice and cannot guarantee acceptance of documentation by border authorities, airlines or foreign authorities.

Department of Home Affairs: Children Travelling Through South African Ports of Entry

Border Management Authority: Travel Advisory

South African Revenue Service: Traveller Declaration

Department of Home Affairs: Child travel requirements

Border Management Authority: Travel Advisory

SARS: Traveller Declaration

Department of Home Affairs: Original Parental Consent Letter (PDF)