As set out by the South African immigration regulations published on the 1st of June 2015 and amended on the 23rd of October 2015, all South African citizens under the age of 18 (minors) travelling out of the country will have to produce an unabridged birth certificate in addition to their passports when both entering and exiting any South African port of entry.
- Minor children from non-visa exempt countries will require a standard original birth certificate and, as necessary, parental consent or certified copies to be submitted during the visa application process. Unaccompanied minors must provide proof of identification of the individual who will receive them in South Africa by way of a certified copy of the receiving party’s identity document, valid passport and visa or permanent residence permit.
- Minor children from visa-exempt countries are no longer required to present an unabridged birth certificate. Travellers are however advised to have proof of relationship and consent from the absent parent/s or guardian/s.
Note That We Can No Longer Assist with Unabridged Birth Certificate Applications
What is an Unabridged Birth Certificate?
An unabridged birth certificate contains the identity document number, first name and surname, date of birth, place of birth, and country of birth of not only the minor to which it belongs, but for both parents as well. If the original unabridged birth certificate is not written in English, then a sworn English translation performed by an accredited authority in the minor’s country of origin must be provided.
Travelling Requirements
The South African Immigration Act’s requirements for travelling minors are contingent on whether they are accompanied or not. Below are the travel requirements for South African minors entering or exiting the country.
Minors travelling with Both Parents
- Valid passport;
- Valid visa, if required; and
- Unabridged birth certificate.
Minors travelling with One Parent, where parents are not divorced
- Valid passport;
- Valid visa, if required;
- Unabridged birth certificate.
- Consent in the form of an affidavit from absent parent – Authorising travelling parent to enter or depart South Africa with the child;
- Court order granting full parental responsibilities to the legal guardian/parent accompanying the minor. The affidavit should be no more than 4 months old;
- In the event that the absent parent is deceased, then a death certificate will be required;
- If there is only one parent and only one parent’s particulars appear on the unabridged birth certificate, then no parental consent affidavit will be required.
Minors travelling with one parent who is divorced or legally separated and who has been granted full parental rights and responsibilities
- Valid passport.
- Unabridged birth certificate.
- Affidavits from the minor’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) expressing consent for the minor to be accompanied by the respective adult.
- Contact details of parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
- Copies of the ID documents or passports belonging to the parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
Minors travelling with one parent who is divorced or legally separated and who has been granted specific parental responsibilities and rights
- Valid passport;
- Valid visa, if required;
- Unabridged birth certificate;
- Court order granting specific parental responsibilities and rights or joint legal guardianship in respect of the minor; and
- Certified copy of the court order granting specific parental responsibilities and rights or limited legal guardianship in respect of the minor.
Minors travelling with an adult who is not a parent
- Valid passport;
- Valid visa, if required;
- Unabridged birth certificate;
- Affidavits from both the minor’s parents or legal guardians giving consent for the minor to travel with the supervising adult;
- Contact details of parents or legal guardians;
- Certified copies of the ID documents or passports belonging to the parents or legal guardians.
Minors travelling with adoptive parent(s)
- Valid passport;
- Valid visa, if required;
- Unabridged birth certificate reflecting the particulars of adoptive parent(s); or
- Court order confirming the adoption of the minor by the adoptive parents travelling with the minor;
- Where only the one adoptive parent is travelling with the minor, or the minor travels unaccompanied, then consent in the form of an affidavit from the absent parent is required. The consent must specifically authorise the supervising parent travelling with the child to enter or depart from South Africa with the child;
- In the event that an adoptive parent is deceased, then a certified copy of a death certificate must be produced.
Minors travelling Unaccompanied
- Valid passport;
- Valid visa, if required;
- Unabridged birth certificate;
- Proof of consent from one or both of the minor’s parents or legal guardians. The consent may be in the form of a written letter, but an affidavit is recommended. If proof of consent is only obtained from one parent, then a court order granting full parental responsibility to the consenting parent must also be produced;
- The contact details and residential address of the minor’s parent(s)or legal guardian(s).
- The contact details and residential address of the individual who will receive the minor in South Africa; and
- A copy of the identity document, valid passport, visa, or permanent residence permit of the individual who will receive the minor in South Africa.
Handwritten unabridged birth certificates
Please note that handwritten unabridged birth certificates will only be accepted if they are exclusively issued in that format in the country of origin. All South African unabridged birth certificates must be printed – handwritten documents will not be accepted.
How can I get an Unabridged Birth Certificate?
You can apply for your child’s South African unabridged birth certificate at your nearest Department of Home Affairs.
In order to apply for your unabridged birth certificate, you will require the following documents:
- Copy of your ID document;
- Copy of your child’s abridged birth certificate/ your child’s ID number.
Please note that an unabridged birth certificate currently costs R75 and can take up to 8 weeks to be processed. Furthermore, all submitted documents must be originals or certified copies. If your child was born after the 14th of March 2013, then you should already be in possession of an unabridged birth certificate.
Download Unabridged Birth Certificate Forms
To download the Department of Home Affairs’ Unabridged Birth Certificate information pack, click here.