The latest regulation in South Africa applies for children under the age of 18 years. In addition to their passport, they are required an Unabridged Birth Certificate, showing the particulars of both parents, as well as written permission from both parents or guardians authorizing the child's travel when exiting and entering South African ports of entry.
This new certificate is mandatory since 1st of June 2015. It is a long version of the previous birth certificate, more secure and reliable with additional information as it contains details of both parents, where possible, and their ID numbers and therefore supports the drive to secure the National Population Register.
The Department began issuing unabridged birth certificates for new born babies from 4 March 2013, on the spot, at no cost. This followed the department’s review of the Birth and Death Act (1992) and the Citizenship Act (1995) which culminated in the South African Citizenship Amendment Act 2010.
Parents have to apply for the updated certificates for children born before March 2013 in order to replace the old abridged birth certificate, which contained only the name and ID number of the new born baby and the mother and was easy to reproduce illegally.The application fee for this new certificate is R75 and the process takes approximately 6 weeks. The request can be made at any home affairs office, by the parent(s) or guardians, who should take along their identity documents and the child’s abridged certificate.
Our Crown office in South Africa can assist with applying for unabridged birth certificates and also further details that is required to travel with a minor child.