Everything you need to know about SA's rules for travelling with children

Source: Traveller24, 19/08/2015

- The department of home affairs and the department of tourism are
said to be reviewing the unintended consequences of SA's new child
travel rules, implemented on 1 June 2015 in an effort to combat child
trafficking.


While the duration of the review period is unclear and it no way means
the rules will change, its the sensible family that takes the time to
familiarise themselves with the new rules, to ensure the holiday isn't
over before it begins
First Car Rental has compiled this reference guide and it is important
to note that these regulations apply to South Africans as well as
foreign nationals. It means that travellers will be required to
produce further documentation in addition to passports and visas
(where applicable) when entering or leaving South Africa with children
under 18-years-old.


Sections covered in this guide:
• Unabridged Birth Certificates
• How to apply for an Unabridged Birth Certificate
• Documents required - both parents travelling with children
• Documents required - one parent travelling with children
• Documents required - children travelling with an adult that is not
their parent
• Documents required - children travelling alone
• Parent consent letter or affidavit
• Important contacts
Unabridged Birth Certificate
The first requirement for anyone travelling with children, whether
parents of the child, relatives, family friends or school teachers, is
that an Unabridged Birth Certificate be produced at the South African
border for each child traveller. This is in addition to the child's
passport and travel visa (where applicable).


An Unabridged Birth Certificate contains details of both parents of
the child. All children born in South Africa after 14 March 2013 were
automatically issued with a valid Unabridged Birth Certificate free of
charge. Children borne before 14 March 2013 were automatically issued
with a standard Abridged Birth Certificate showing only their mother's
name.


International travellers and unabridged birth certificates
Foreign children travelling to South Africa will need a legal
document, issued by the relevant authority in their home country,
containing information similar to South Africa's Unabridged Birth
Certificate, including details of both parents.


In the case of countries that do not issue similar documents to the
Unabridged Birth Certificate, a letter to this effect issued by the
competent authority of the foreign country will need to be produced.


In cases where the Unabridged Birth Certificate is in a
language other than English, it must be accompanied by a sworn
translation issued by a competent authority in the country concerned.



Adopted children
In cases where a child is adopted, the parents of the child will need
to produce proof of adoption by means of an official adoption
certificate in addition to the child's Unabridged Birth Certificate.



Applying for your child's Unabridged Birth Certificate
If you're planning a holiday outside of South Africa, make sure to
apply for your child's Unabridged Birth Certificate well in advance of
your departure date. The time frame to acquire an Unabridged Birth
Certificate from the date of application varies greatly, from a few
weeks to several months.


To apply:
• Visit your nearest Home Affairs office in South Africa or South
African embassy, mission or consulate if you are overseas.


• Fill out Form BI-154. Original application forms can only be
obtained from the relevant Home Affairs office or South African
embassy, mission or consulate.


• Make sure to take your ID book along, as well as your child's ID
number.


• All documents submitted must be originals or certified copies
(please note - certified copies of documents are only valid for 6
months).


• There is a R75 fee for the Unabridged Birth Certificate.


Child-Travel situations and the documents required
1. Both parents travelling with one or more of their children
In the instance where both South African or foreign national parents
are travelling together with one or more of their children, they will
need to produce:


• A passport and/or visa for each traveller, including every child.



• An Unabridged Birth Certificate, or foreign equivalent, for each
child.


2. One parent travelling together with one or more of their children
If only one parent is travelling with a child, whether the child is a
South African citizen or from elsewhere, more documents will need to
be presented at South Africa's border post.


The documents required are:
• A passport and/or visa for each traveller, including every child.
• An Unabridged Birth Certificate, or foreign equivalent, for every
child.


• A recently dated letter or affidavit of consent from the
non-travelling parent registered on the birth certificate of the child
authorising him or her to enter into or depart from South Africa with
the child. (The affidavit must not be older than three months).


• A certified copy of the non-travelling parent's ID or passport.
(This certified copy must not be older than six months).


• In the instance where it is not possible to produce a letter or
affidavit of consent, the parent must alternatively show either a
court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or
legal guardianship in respect of any child to the travelling parent;
or a death certificate of the other parent registered on the birth
certificate.


• In the instance when the father of the child is unknown, the mother
will need to provide an affidavit saying that she is solely
responsible for the child.


For Home Affairs Department`s suggested format for a parental letter
of consent or affidavit, click here.


3. Child travellers accompanied by an adult that is not their parent
When a child is travelling with an adult that is not their parent or
legal guardian, the following documents must be produced at
South Africa's border post:
• A passport and/or visa for each traveller, including every child.



• An Unabridged Birth Certificate, or foreign equivalent, for each
child.


• A recently dated letter or affidavit of consent from the child's
parents registered on the birth certificate of the child confirming
that he / she has permission to travel without them - whether alone,
or with a relative, school group or friends. (The affidavit must not
be older than three months).


• Where only one parent provides proof of consent, that parent must
also provide either a copy of a court order in terms of which he or
she has full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the
child; or a death certificate of the other parent.


• A certified copy of both parents' ID and passport. (These certified
copies must not be older than six months).


• The contact numbers of the parents or legal guardian of the child.
4. Children travelling alone
When a child is entering or leaving South Africa unaccompanied by any
adult, they must produce:
• His or her passport and/or visa.


• His or her Unabridged Birth Certificate, or foreign equivalent.



• Proof of consent from both parents or legal guardian in the form of
a letter or affidavit for the child to travel into or depart from
South Africa.


• Where only one parent provides proof of consent, that parent must
also provide a copy of a court order issued to him or her in terms of
which he or she has been granted full parental responsibilities and
rights in respect of the child; or a death certificate of the other
parent.


• A certified copy of ID or passport from both parents (These
certified copies must not be older than six months).


• The contact numbers of the parents or legal guardian of the child.



• A letter from the person who is to receive her or him in South
Africa containing that person's residential address and contact
details in South Africa where the child will be residing;
• A copy of the identity document or valid passport and visa or
permanent residence permit of the person who is to receive the child;
Use the correct documents


There have been a number of reports regarding families who were
refused entry into or exit out of South Africa due to not providing
the correct-format letter or affidavit of consent.


• To view and download the correct affidavit of consent (as published
by the South African Home Affairs Department), please click here.



• For foreign nationals, to view and download the correct letter
equivalent of a South African Unabridged Birth Certificate, please
click here.


Important Contacts
Before travelling, it's highly recommended that you consult the South
African embassy in your home country, in order to ensure that you meet
all relevant criteria. Alternatively, consult South Africa Home
Affairs for more information on South Africa's new child travel
requirements.


• Department of Home Affairs website, click here
• Department of Home Affairs toll free hotline: 0800 60 11 90
Please Note: The information on this page is a guide to assist people
with new South African immigration laws. The information was correct
at the time of publishing; First Car Rental takes no responsibility
for any of the information being out of date or incorrectly noted.
- Traveller24