Unabridged Birth Certificates – What you should know before you book your flight.
Since the 1st of June 2015, South African Department of Home Affairs instituted new immigration regulations affecting the entry and exit of minors under the age of 18 years in South Africa, irrespective of their nationality.
In addition to the standard entry identification and immigration documentation such as passports and where necessary, visas required to be presented to immigration on entering or leaving a South African port, an original, Unabridged Birth Certificate is required to be presented for each child.
The new requirements are intended to curb the illegal movement of approximately 30 000 children through South African borders, most of whom are under the age of 14.
In addition to the child’s full particulars, Unabridged Birth Certificates contain full details of both the child’s father and mother. All documents presented must be originals or photocopies certified by a commissioner of oaths, a police officer or equivalent commissioning officer as laid out by law.
Where only one parent is travelling with a child, the following documentation is required:
- An affidavit not older than 3 months issued by the other parent granting permission for the travelling parent to travel with the child. This will be required for each child in the travelling parent’s care.
- Certified copies of the authorising parent’s Identity document or passport
- Where a parent is deceased, an original or certified copy of the death certificate of the parent listed on the child’s unabridged birth certificate is to be provided.
If you are planning to travel abroad and need assistance to obtain these important documents, feel free to call or fill out the form below and an experienced Q-Pro consultant will contact you to discuss your requirements.