Travel to South Africa and Botswana with minors (under 18) – friendly reminder

6 April 2017

As of the 1 June 2015 if you’re travelling to South Africa or transiting through a South African airport with a child you must be able to produce the child’s full unabridged birth certificate. The South African Department of Home Affairs have confirmed that no supporting documents will be required by people in direct transit through a South African International Airport. Check with your airline to see whether you need to go through immigration on arrival in South Africa, collect luggage and check in again. If you do go through immigration you’ll need to provide the correct documentation. Botswana has from the 31 October 2016 followed the footsteps of South Africa with the same requirements for children under 18.

There are additional requirements if the child is travelling with only one parent, with neither biological parent, or unaccompanied. See this information sheet, this statement by the South African Department of Home Affairs and this leaflet produced by the South African Department of Home Affairs. Contact the South African High Commission if you have any specific questions about your trip.

If you’re travelling with copies of documents, make sure you get them certified. The South African Department of Home Affairs is not accepting photocopies of birth certificates or passports. 

The Unabridged Birth Certificate requirements for South Africa has changed in the mean time in November 2019. Here is a link to the new requirements which contains also contact details of Department of Home Affairs: https://www.travelstart.co.za/lp/travel-tips/unabridged-birth-certificate-for-minors Contact us if you have any questions!« PreviousUp