A valid passport is always required.
Travelling with minors
Most countries around the world are concerned about child trafficking. Below we have highlighted the various travel documents that parents / legal guardians will have to carry to travel with their children.
When a minor is travelling with both parents with same surname
The minor will require:
- a valid passport - in most countries it is all that is required.
- to travel in and out of South Africa, if both parents’ names are not displayed in minor’s passport, an unabridged birth certificate/equivalent document with names of the parents will be requested at immigration.
When a minor is travelling with one parent / legal guardian
The minor will require:
- a valid passport
- you can help and speed up the process by providing the below documents:
- an adoption or birth certificate showing your relationship with the minor;
- an original signed letter from the minor’s parents / legal guardians giving permission for the minor to travel with you. In some countries this document needs to be completed at the police station or local municipality to be recognised – and cannot be older than three months.
- Where applicable, the contact details of the absent parent;
- Where applicable, a copy of the passport / identity document of the absent parent.
If there is no second parent with any legal claims to the minor, please bring relevant documents where applicable such as:
- Birth certificate naming only one parent;
- Copy of court order that grants full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship;
- Copy of a death certificate of the deceased parent(s);
- Other official documents.
When a minor is travelling with one parent with the same surname and the other with a different surname
The minor will require:
- a valid passport;
- an adoption or unabridged birth certificate showing your relationship with the minor;
- a copy of your marriage certificate, where applicable.
When a minor is travelling with one person who does not have the same surname as the minor
- a valid passport;
- an adoption or birth certificate / equivalent document;
- where applicable:
- an original signed letter from the minor parent(s) / legal guardian(s) giving permission for the minor to travel with you (Click here for an example letter);
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- copy of the parents' identity documents;
- contact details of the parent(s) / legal guardian(s);
- copy of a death certificate;
- copy of an adoption order;
- copy of the court order granting you full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship;
- any other documents that can support the fact that you are travelling with the minor legally.
When a minor is travelling with no legal guardian(s) / parent(s)
- a valid passport;
- unabridged birth certificate / equivalent document;
- parental consent letters (Click here for the letter);
- copy of the passport(s)/ identity document(s) of the parent(s)/legal guardian(s)
- contact details of the parent(s)/legal guardian(s)
- where applicable:
- copy of an adoption order;
- copy of the court order granting you full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship;
- any other documents that can support the fact that you are travelling with the minor legally.