What documents does a South African child need when travelling with only one parent?

A child travelling with only one parent from South Africa requires: an unabridged birth certificate (original or certified copy); a sworn parental consent affidavit from the absent parent; a certified copy of the absent parent's identity document or passport; and (if applicable) a death certificate if the other parent is deceased, or a court order confirming sole guardianship.

What documents are needed when a South African child travels alone?

A child travelling alone from South Africa requires an unabridged birth certificate and sworn parental consent affidavits from both parents (or sole guardian), together with copies of both parents' identity documents or passports. The airline or transport operator may have additional requirements for unaccompanied minors.

Does a child born of unmarried parents need special documents to travel from South Africa?

Yes. The DHA requirements apply regardless of the parents' marital status. An unmarried mother who is the sole parent on the birth certificate may need to provide additional documentation confirming the absent father's identity or that she is the sole legal guardian. A South African attorney can advise on the specific documentation required.

Does the child travel consent form need to be sworn before a commissioner of oaths?

Yes. The South African DHA requires the parental consent affidavit to be a sworn document commissioned before a South African commissioner of oaths. The form must not be signed before attending before the commissioner, as the signature must be made in the commissioner's presence after the oath is administered.

What if the absent parent cannot sign a consent form?

If the absent parent is deceased, provide a certified copy of the death certificate. If the absent parent has been deprived of guardianship by a court order, provide a certified copy of that order. If the absent parent is incapacitated or cannot be located, consult a South African attorney about obtaining an urgent court order from the High Court authorising the travel.

How long is a South African child travel consent form valid?

A consent affidavit should specify the travel dates or the period for which consent is given. For a specific trip, the affidavit should cover the departure and return dates. For recurring travel, a broader consent for a specified period may be possible, but the DHA may request additional documentation for extended permissions. Check current DHA requirements before travel.

Can a grandparent or school teacher accompany a South African child across the border?

Yes, but the accompanying adult who is not a parent must carry: the commissioned parental consent affidavit from both parents; the unabridged birth certificate; copies of both parents' identity documents or passports; and the accompanying adult's own identity document or passport. The accompanying adult is not a legal guardian merely by carrying the consent form — they act on the parents' express authority for the specific trip.

FamilyZA

Child Travel Consent Form – South Africa

South Africa requires children under 18 travelling across its borders to carry a parental consent affidavit when not accompanied by both parents. Our free South African child travel consent form meets the Department of Home Affairs requirements and must be commissioned before a commissioner of oaths.

Create Your Child Travel Consent Affidavit

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PARENTAL CONSENT AFFIDAVIT FOR MINOR CHILD TO TRAVEL

Immigration Act 13 Of 2002 · Regulation 6(1)(A), Immigration Regulations 2014 · DIRCO / Home Affairs Border Control

CHILD (MINOR)

FULL NAME	Lebo Nkosi
DATE OF BIRTH	15 March 2018
PASSPORT NO	A12345678
PASSPORT EXPIRY	14 March 2028

TRAVELLING PARENT / GUARDIAN

FULL NAME	Zanele Nkosi
SA ID NO	8805126800088
PASSPORT NO	B98765432
RELATIONSHIP	Mother
CONTACT NO	+27 71 234 5678

CONSENTING PARENT / GUARDIAN (DEPONENT)

FULL NAME	Sipho Nkosi
SA ID NO	9204015800080
PASSPORT NO	C11223344
RELATIONSHIP	Father
CONTACT NO	+27 82 456 7890

TRAVEL DETAILS

DESTINATION	Mozambique
PURPOSE OF TRAVEL	Family holiday
DEPARTURE DATE	1 June 2026
RETURN DATE	15 June 2026
FLIGHT / TRANSPORT	SA103 Johannesburg OR Tambo–Maputo; return SA104 Maputo–Johannesburg
ACCOMMODATION ABROAD	Polana Serena Hotel, Avenida Julius Nyerere, Maputo, Mozambique

I, Sipho Nkosi, Identity Number 9204015800080, Passport No C11223344, contact number +27 82 456 7890, being the Father of the minor child Lebo Nkosi (DOB: 15 March 2018, Passport No A12345678), do hereby make solemn oath and declare as follows:

1. I am duly authorised to make this affidavit and have personal knowledge of the facts stated herein.

2. I am the Father of the minor child Lebo Nkosi and I have parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the said child in terms of the Children's Act 38 of 2005.

3. Zanele Nkosi (SA ID No 8805126800088), the Mother of the child, intends to travel with the child to Mozambique for the purpose of Family holiday, departing on 1 June 2026 and returning on 15 June 2026.

4. I hereby give my full and unconditional consent for the minor child to travel internationally with Zanele Nkosi as described above, in accordance with Regulation 6(1)(a) of the Immigration Regulations, 2014 (promulgated under the Immigration Act 13 of 2002).

5. I am aware that the child carries South African Passport No A12345678 (expiry: 14 March 2028) issued under the South African Passports and Travel Documents Act 4 of 1994.

6. I have not been deprived of my parental responsibilities and rights by any court order, nor is there any court order prohibiting the child from travelling internationally.

7. This consent is granted for the specific travel described herein and does not constitute a general consent for the child to travel internationally on other occasions without my separate written consent.

8. I can be contacted at the number above should border officials or any authority require verification of this consent.

9. I declare that the contents of this affidavit are true and correct and that I am aware that making a false declaration constitutes a criminal offence.

DEPONENT: Sipho Nkosi
Signed at: Pretoria Date: 25 April 2026

DEPONENT (CONSENTING PARENT / GUARDIAN)

Sipho Nkosi

Date: ____________________

NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

State of ________________________, County of ________________________

On this ______ day of ________________________, 20______, before me personally appeared Sipho Nkosi, known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument, and acknowledged that they executed the same for the purposes therein contained.

Notary Public Signature

My commission expires: ___________________________

What Is a Child Travel Consent Form in South Africa?

A child travel consent form is a formal document — typically in the form of a sworn affidavit — in which one or both parents or legal guardians give written consent for a child under 18 to travel internationally without one or both parents. In South Africa, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) requires children crossing South African borders to carry a parental consent affidavit when they are not accompanied by both parents. This requirement is designed to combat child trafficking and to ensure that both parents (where both have parental responsibilities and rights) have authorised the child's international travel.

The South African requirements for child travel consent are governed by the Immigration Regulations published under the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 (as amended). The regulations specify that a minor who is not accompanied by both parents or a legal guardian when departing or entering South Africa must carry: an original or certified copy of the child's unabridged birth certificate (showing both parents' details); a sworn affidavit from the absent parent consenting to the travel; the absent parent's identity document or passport copy; and, where one parent is deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate. If the child is travelling alone, both parents must provide sworn affidavits. The regulations apply at all South African ports of entry, including OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, King Shaka International Airport, and all land border posts.

The Children's Act 38 of 2005 allocates parental responsibilities and rights — including the right to consent to the child's departure from South Africa — between parents and guardians. Where parents are divorced or separated, the parenting plan or court order may specify who has the right to consent to international travel. A parent who withholds consent unreasonably may be compelled to provide consent by a South African court under Section 24 of the Children's Act. A child medical consent form and child travel consent form should be kept together for children travelling without both parents to ensure comprehensive authorisation for South African immigration and medical emergencies abroad.

What's Covered in This Template

Our South African child travel consent form meets DHA requirements and covers all necessary travel authorisation details.

Child's Personal Details

Child's full name, date of birth, identity number or passport number, and South African address.

Parent or Guardian Consenting

Full name, identity number, and contact details of the parent or guardian giving consent.

Accompanying Adult Details

Full name, identity number, and contact details of the adult accompanying the child (if not the consenting parent).

Travel Details

Destination country or countries, travel dates, mode of travel, and flight or transport details.

Purpose of Travel

Brief description of the purpose — holiday, school trip, sports tournament, visiting family, or other.

Consent Statement

Clear sworn statement that the consenting parent authorises the child to travel to the specified destination for the stated period.

Absent Parent Declaration

Statement explaining why the absent parent is not accompanying the child — travelling separately, single parent, deceased, or incapacitated.

Emergency Contact

Full contact details of both parents (where applicable) and an emergency contact person at the destination.

Medical Consent for Travel Emergencies

Authorisation for emergency medical treatment during travel if the accompanying adult needs to consent on the child's behalf.

Commissioner of Oaths Certification

Prescribed certification block required by DHA — the form must be sworn before a South African commissioner of oaths.

How to Create a South African Child Travel Consent Form

Follow these steps to produce a DHA-compliant child travel consent affidavit for South Africa.

1
Confirm DHA Requirements for Your Travel
Check the current DHA requirements for the child's specific travel scenario — with one parent, alone, or with a non-parent adult.
2
Enter the Child's and Parent's Details
Record the child's full name, date of birth, passport and identity numbers, and the consenting parent's details.
3
State the Travel Details
Specify the destination, travel dates, purpose, and the accompanying adult's details.
4
Commission Before a Commissioner of Oaths
Take the unsigned affidavit to a commissioner of oaths (police officer, attorney, notary, or bank official) and sign it in their presence after they administer the oath.
5
Assemble the Travel Document Pack
Compile the commissioned consent affidavit, unabridged birth certificate, passport copies, and any other required documents for the border crossing.

Legal Considerations

South African child travel consent requirements are strictly enforced at all ports of entry — non-compliance may result in the child being refused departure.

This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified South African attorney for advice specific to your situation.

Reviewed for South African law

DHA Immigration Regulations for Minor Children

The Immigration Regulations under the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 require children under 18 crossing South African borders unaccompanied by both parents to carry a sworn parental consent affidavit, an unabridged birth certificate, and the absent parent's identity document or passport copy. These requirements apply at all South African ports of entry including airports and land border crossings. South African immigration officials are instructed to enforce these requirements strictly. Children who do not have the required documents may be refused departure and the accompanying adult may face questioning by immigration authorities.

Children's Act and Parental Consent for International Travel

Under the Children's Act 38 of 2005, both parents (where both have parental responsibilities and rights) must consent to a child leaving South Africa for an extended period. Section 18(3) requires the consent of both parents for the removal of a child from South Africa, unless the non-consenting parent has been deprived of guardianship by a court order. Where a parent unreasonably refuses consent, the other parent may apply to a South African High Court under Section 24 of the Children's Act for an order authorising the travel. Parenting plans and divorce orders often include provisions regulating international travel consent.

Child Trafficking and the Hague Convention

The South African child travel consent requirements were strengthened to combat international child trafficking and parental abduction. South Africa is a party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, which provides for the return of children wrongfully removed to or retained in a signatory country. A parent who removes a child from South Africa without the other parent's consent and without a court order may be guilty of a criminal offence under South African law and subject to proceedings for the child's return under the Hague Convention in the destination country.

Frequently Asked Questions

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