South Africa’s new Passport and Travel Documents Act officially took effect from this morning.

Under the new legislation, South Africans and foreign nationals travelling with children under the age of 18 are required to produce unabridged birth certificates. It is part of the government’s commitment to safeguard the best interests of children and prevent child trafficking.

Last week, the Department of Home Affairs said parents who needed to travel with their children and could not get unabridged birth certificates in time, would be able to leave the country if they had a letter indicating that they had applied for the documents.
The requirements were aimed at establishing the principle that all children must have the consent of their parents when travelling into or out of South Africa, Home Affairs director-general Mkuseli Apleni explained on 29 May

The would apply to South African children, under 18, on leaving South Africa, as well as to children who were foreign nationals and who were visa exempt when travelling through a port of entry of the country.

“The requirements are aimed at establishing the principle that all children must have the consent of their parents when travelling into or out of the republic,” Apleni said.

Under the new law, all minors under the age of 18 years are required to produce, in addition to their passport, an unabridged birth certificate (showing the particulars of both parents) when exiting and entering South African ports of entry.

According to the department, when a child travels with only one parent, additional documents should include an affidavit in which the absent parent gives consent for the child to travel, a court order granting full parental responsibilities or legal guardianship of the child, or the death certificate of the absent parent.

The affidavit should be no more than three months old from date of travel.

In the event of a child travelling with a person other than a parent, the unabridged birth certificate must be supplemented by affidavits from the parents or legal guardians confirming that the child may travel with that person. Copies of the ID or passports of the parents or legal guardian, and the contact details of the parents or legal guardian must also be provided.

source: http://africanwatch.net/south-africa-new-visa-rules-to-visit-south-africa/

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