From  01 June significant changes to South Africa immigration rules mean that children under the age of 18 travelling to/from SA must travel with an unabridged (shows parents details) birth certificate. If not, they will not be accepted for travel.

From 01 June 2015 the following will apply:

Where one parent is travelling with a child, they must produce an unabridged birth certificate and:

  • Consent in the form of an affidavit from the other parent registered as a parent on the birth certificate authorising them to enter or depart from South Africa with the child
  • A court order granting them full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship or where applicable, a death certificate of the other parent registered as a parent of the child on the birth certificate

Where an adult is travelling with a child who is not their biological child, they must produce:

  • A copy of the unabridged birth certificate
  • An affidavit from the parents or legal guardian of the child confirming that they have permission to travel with the child
  • Copies of the identity documents or passports of the parents or legal guardian of the child

Unaccompanied minor (12 – 17 years) must produce:

  • Consent from one of or both of the parents or legal guardian in the form of a letter or affidavit for the child to travel into or depart from South Africa. If only one parent is able to provide proof of consent they must also have a copy of a court order granting the full parental responsibilities
  • A letter from the person who is to receive the child in South Africa, containing their residential address and the contact details of 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 in South Africa
  • The contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the child

For more information or clarity on any of the above points you should contact your local South African Embassy, your South African High Commission or the South African Department of Home Affairs.