After much debate in the travel industry, South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has released a summary of the new regulations regarding children travelling to South Africa. The new regulations, operational from 26 May 2014 specify the following for all travellers, on departure as well as arrival:
- Both parents travelling with a child – parents must produce the child’s original OR certified unabridged birth certificate reflecting the parents’ details. Adoptive parents must provide an adoption certificate.
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One parent travelling with a child must also provide
- an affidavit from the other parent on the birth certificate authorising the travelling parent to enter or depart South Africa with the child
- OR a court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights
- OR where applicable a death certificate for the other parent.
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Adults travelling with children who are not their biological children must produce
- a copy of the unabridged birth certificate of the child,
- an affidavit from the parents of the child giving permission to travel with the child
- copies of the IDs or passports of the parents
- contact details for the parents