Rules for travelling to South Africa with children

Since 1 June 2015, travel to and from South Africa with children is only permitted with an international birth certificate.

New rules for travelling to South Africa with children

Are you travelling to or from South Africa with children under 18? Then the information below is crucial. Please read this, be prepared, and also inform others you know who are travelling to or from South Africa with children about the content of this article.

The South African government has made it mandatory since 1 June 2015 for children travelling to and from South Africa to be in possession of an official international birth certificate. The Department of Home Affairs introduced the rules to combat human trafficking and illegal adoption.

What does this mean if you are going on holiday to South Africa with your family?
Families travelling to (and from) South Africa with children under 18 years old must carry an international birth certificate for the minor travellers, in addition to a valid passport and ticket.

In addition to the international (note: ensure you have the English, international version) birth certificate, rules also apply for when parents of the children are not travelling together, i.e. if you are travelling alone with the children as a mother or father, for example in cases of separated parenthood, external custody, adoption or death, etc.

What do you need if you are travelling to and from South Africa as a single parent (father/mother of the children)?
Then you'll need a few things in advance, namely:
– the same international birth certificate (unabridged);
– a signed letter from the non-travelling parent giving consent for the other parent to travel with the child;
– a copy of the non-travelling parent's passport;
– the fully completed, signed and officially authorised Affidavit from Home Affairs (to have it stamped at a South African police station, a notary public, or, in the Netherlands, at the municipality). Please note: this document is only valid for four months.

The rules surrounding travel to and from South Africa with children are as follows:

• Parents travelling with children (under 18 years old) must also carry the original birth certificate(s) of the travelling child(ren) besides their passports and tickets.;
• When children travel without their parents – but with a relative, acquaintance or other guardian or ’supervisor’, they must carry an official declaration in which both parents consent to the child travelling, as well as copies of the passports of the travelling child’s parents or legal guardian;
• When only one parent is travelling with the child, they must have a written statement from the other parent, in addition to the valid birth certificate, authorising the child to travel.;
• When a single parent with a child under 18 travels to or from South Africa, they must carry official proof that they have full custody and parental authority over the travelling child, or an official death certificate of the child's other parent.

Questions? Call the South African embassy!
For specific questions please contact the South African Embassy in The Hague – available on working days between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM on +31 (0)70 392 4501.

How to apply for an international birth certificate?
It is important to note that there can be a processing time of 5 days to up to 3 weeks between requesting and receiving a birth certificate (depending on the method of request), which must be requested in the municipality where the child was born. To request a birth certificate, you must bring valid identification for yourself and the child. If necessary, contact your municipality for more information.

Please note: when applying for the certificate, make it clear that you require an English-language (international) certificate.

Incidentally, a lot has happened recently in the area of work and residency permits for South Africa. You can read an overview of all the changes in the law in our overview ‘Important legislative changes concerning visas and permits for South Africa’. Should there be any other changes to the law, we will announce this immediately on our free newsletter.

Finally, the request once again: please do forward this article to family, friends, and acquaintances whom you know are holidaying in South Africa with children.

Source: CapeTownMagazine.nl

http://www.reisburo-info.nl/artikel/id3211-Nieuwe_regels_voor_reizen_naar_ZuidAfrika_met_kinderen.html