The South African Department of Home Affairs is implementing new requirements on June 1st, 2015 for travelers under 18 years old entering or leaving South Africa. Travelers under 18 will need to present an unabridged birth certificate listing their parents' details at check-in. Exceptions include countries that do not issue unabridged birth certificates or documents not in English, which require a letter from the foreign authority. A single parent traveling with a child also needs the other parent's authorization like an affidavit or court order, or a death certificate if deceased.

1. 152 Sawubona June 2015
T
he new requirements being introduced by the SA Department
of Home Affairs for additional documentation needed by
persons aged under 18 years for travel to and from SA will
be implemented on 1 June 2015.
Applicable travellers will be asked to produce the required
documentation at check-in for each flight. For further information,
contact the SA Department of Home Affairs. 0800 601 190
(toll-free) or your local South African Embassy.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What do the regulations say about parents travelling with
children? Regulation 6 (12)(a) states that parents must produce
an unabridged birth certificate for each child which reflects the
particulars of his/her parents.
2. Is this applicable to all children aged under 18? Yes – and to all
nationalities departing from or arriving in SA. It’s not required for
passengers remaining in transit, unless they require a transit visa. The
unabridged birth certificate should be submitted during the transit
visa application process and both the certificate and visa should be
carried with you while travelling.
3. What about unabridged birth certificates or equivalent documents
that aren´t issued in English? Documents issued in a language other
than English will be accepted.
4. What about countries that don’t issue unabridged birth
certificates? A letter to this effect issued by the competent authority
of the foreign country should be produced.
5. Must I travel with the original document? A copy is sufficient,
provided it’s certified by a Commissioner of Oaths (or the
equivalent of one in the country concerned).
6. What about children travelling with one parent?
Regulation 6 (12)(b) states that a single parent travelling with
a child must also produce an unabridged birth certificate for
them, as well as:
i. An affidavit from the other parent registered as such on the
birth certificate authorising him/her to enter into or depart
from SA with the child concerned; or
ii. A court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights
or legal guardianship of the child, if he/she is the parent or
legal guardian of the child; or
iii. Where applicable, a death certificate of the other parent
registered as such on the birth certificate.
Where the parents of the child are both deceased and the
child is travelling with a relative or another person related to
him/her, the Director-General may approve such a person to
enter or depart from SA with the child.
South African Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No 13 of 2002)
UNDER-18S TRAVELLING TO AND FROM SA