Travelling to/from South Africa with children

General:
The documents listed must on request be produced at a port of entry by South African children entering and leaving the Republic, as well as by unaccompanied minors, regardless of their nationalities. South African children travelling on South African passports may travel to South Africa without birth certificate. Foreign children in possession of valid South African visas are not required to produce the documents already submitted as part of their visa applications.

Child accompanied by both parents:
• Valid passport
• Copy of a birth certificate/equivalent document or passport containing the details of the parents

Child accompanied by one parent:
• Valid passport
• Copy of a birth certificate/equivalent document
• Parental consent letter
• Copy of the passport/identity document of the absent parent
• Contact details of the absent parent
• Copy of a court order granting parental responsibilities/legal guardianship (if applicable)
• Copy of a death certificate of the deceased parent (if applicable)

Child travelling with person who is not his/her biological parent:
• Valid passport
• Copy of a birth certificate/equivalent document
• Parental consent letter(s)
• Copy of the passport(s)/identity document(s) of the parent(s)/legal guardian(s)
• Contact details of the parent(s)/legal guardian(s)
• Copy of a death certificate (if applicable)
• Copy of an adoption order (if applicable)
• Copy of a court order granting parental responsibilities/legal guardianship (if applicable)

Unaccompanied South African and visa-exempt children are to have all the below documents at border:
• Valid passport
• Copy of his/her birth certificate
• Parental consent letters
• Copy of the passport(s)/identity document(s) of the parent(s)/legal guardian(s)
• Contact details of the parent(s)/legal guardian(s)
• Letter from the person who is to receive the child in the Republic, containing his/her residential address and contact details in the Republic where the child will reside
• Copy of the identity document/valid passport and visa or permanent residence permit of the person who is to receive the child in the Republic
• Copy of a death certificate (if applicable)
• Copy of an adoption order (if applicable)
• Copy of a court order granting parental responsibilities/legal guardianship (if applicable)