Travelling with Children - Updated SA Regulations

Two parents travelling with children under 18

• For international parents travelling with a child under 18 years of age, they no longer need an unabridged birth certificate (UBC) for the child if the child has a foreign passport. Only a passport is needed.
• South African parents travelling with a child on a South African passport still need to show an unabridged birth certificate, particularly when leaving the country.
• The UBC is a complete birth certificate that shows the details of both parents. Bring the original document. A certified copy (certified as true copy of original by commissioner of oaths, less than 3 months old) is supposedly acceptable, however there have been several cases where a certified copy was not accepted by the airline, so it is best to bring the original UBC.
• The child also needs a valid passport, of course (with at least 2 blank pages and expiring more than 6 months after return date).
• Depending on the country of origin, the child may also need a visa to visit SA (not needed for the US, UK, Australia, Canada and most European countries).

For South African parents only: one parent travelling with a child under 18

• If only one parent is travelling with a South African child, an unabridged birth certificate is needed, in addition to passport.
• A Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) is needed from the other parent, giving permission to travel. (Must be an affidavit, not just a letter, less than 3 months old). Use the recommended wording for the PCA, available from the Home Affairs website.
• In a case of death, divorce or separation where the consent of the other parent is not possible, a valid supporting document needs to be provided (such as death certificate, court order granting custody, etc). You may have to apply for special permission in advance if the other biological parent cannot or will not give consent, or if you are not in touch.

Another adult (not the parent) travelling with a child under 18

• The UBC is required if the child has a South African passport.
• A Parental Consent Affidavit from both parents or legal guardian, less than 3 months old.
• If the PCA is only from one parent, supporting documentation to show that parent has sole legal custody, or death certificate if applicable, etc.
• Certified copies of ID or passport of both parents or legal guardians (certified by commissioner of oaths, less than 3 months old).
• Contact details of parents or legal guardians.
• Adoption papers if applicable.