TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN
Please be aware that the information on this page is a guide only. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice. Please always double check on the DHA website:
South African Department of Home Affairs before you travel.
South Africa has strict legislation for travelling with children which requires certain documents to be produced when entering and leaving South Africa.
If the documents are not in English then they must be translated into English by a sworn translator – this applies to ALL of the required documents.
Here is a brief overview of the documentation required:
If both parents are travelling with a child (under the age of 18) and that child is German or was born in Germany
If both parents are travelling with a child (under the age of 18) and that child is not German
If one parent is travelling with a child (under the age of 18)
Person is travelling with a child (under the age of 18), who is not his or her biological child
Unaccompanied minor (child under the age of 18)
The South African Department of Home Affairs has a suggested format for the equivalent document and the affidavit giving parental consent; please click on the link below to download these:
Suggested format for the equivalent document
Suggested format for the parental consent affidavit
For more information please visit the South African Department of Home Affairs.
South Africa has strict legislation for travelling with children which requires certain documents to be produced when entering and leaving South Africa.
If the documents are not in English then they must be translated into English by a sworn translator – this applies to ALL of the required documents.
Here is a brief overview of the documentation required:
If both parents are travelling with a child (under the age of 18) and that child is German or was born in Germany
- an ‘international birth certificate’ (Auszug aus dem Geburtseintrag) may be produced.)
If both parents are travelling with a child (under the age of 18) and that child is not German
- a copy of the unabridged birth certificate or equivalent document
If one parent is travelling with a child (under the age of 18)
- a copy of the unabridged birth certificate or equivalent document
- an affidavit (eidesstattliche Erklärung) from the other parent registered as a parent on the birth certificate of the child authorising him or her to enter into or depart from the Republic of South Africa with the child he or she is travelling with
- a court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship in respect of the child
- where applicable, a death certificate of the other parent registered as a parent of the child on the birth certificate
Person is travelling with a child (under the age of 18), who is not his or her biological child
- a copy of the unabridged birth certificate or equivalent document
- an affidavit (eidesstattliche Erklärung) from the parents or legal guardian of the child confirming that he or she has permission to travel with the child
- copies of the identity documents or passports of the parents or legal guardian of the child
- the contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the child
Unaccompanied minor (child under the age of 18)
- Affidavit giving consent from one of or both his or her parents or legal guardian, as the case may be, in the form of a letter or affidavit (eidesstattliche Erklärung) for the child to travel into or depart from the Republic of South Africa (where one parent provides proof of consent, that parent must also provide a copy of a court order stating that he or she has been granted full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child).
- a letter from the person who is to receive the child in the Republic of South Africa, containing his or her residential address and contact details in the Republic 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 the Republic of South Africa
- the contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the child
The South African Department of Home Affairs has a suggested format for the equivalent document and the affidavit giving parental consent; please click on the link below to download these:
Suggested format for the equivalent document
Suggested format for the parental consent affidavit
For more information please visit the South African Department of Home Affairs.
