Deadline looms for new child travel law
As of 1 June, children are requested to carry unabridged birth certificates when travelling.
PARENTS and guardians are reminded to ensure their minors have the necessary documentation available when travelling abroad.
By 1 June all minors will be requested to carry an unabridged birth certificate in addition to a valid passport.
Department of Home Affairs (DHA) official in Richards Bay, Nana Mthembu, said the implementation of this law was designed to combat child trafficking.
‘We have put measures in place to control this growing problem. These certificates will not only serve as proof of guardianship, but also to protect innocent children,’ Mthembu said.
If only one parent is present, the child will also need an affidavit from the absent parent, which gives consent for the child to travel. The affidavit should not be older than three months from date of travel.
With neither parent present, unabridged birth certificates should be supplemented by affidavits from the parents or legal guardians confirming that the child may travel with that person, copies of the ID documents or passports of the parents or legal guardian, and the contact details of the parents or legal guardian.
Local travel agent Jacqui Mendes urges Zululanders to obtain these documents.
‘I would recommend that everyone applies for an unabridged birth certificate as soon as possible, even if they don’t have any travel plans.
‘The DHA advises that it takes six to eight weeks to process the application, but there have been instances where my clients have waited for longer than six to eight months,’ she said.
Application process for unabridged birth certificates
• Apply at your nearest Home Affairs office where your Biometric information will be verified
• Take your ID book along, as well as your child’s ID number
• All documents submitted must be originals or certified copies
• The unabridged birth certificate costs R75
• It can take up to eight weeks to acquire a certificate from the date of application
