If your child is travelling internationally without both parents, South African immigration law requires a notarised consent letter. We prepare these letters at our Pretoria office — often on the same day.
When You Need a Travel Consent Letter
- Child travelling with one parent — consent from the absent parent
- Child travelling with a guardian or relative — consent from both parents
- Child travelling unaccompanied — consent from both parents plus additional documentation
- Child travelling with both parents — unabridged birth certificate required (no consent letter needed)
Documents Required
- Unabridged birth certificate of the child (showing both parents)
- Original ID or passport of the consenting parent(s)
- Copy of the child’s passport
- Copy of the travelling parent/guardian’s ID or passport
- Court order (if applicable — sole custody, guardianship, etc.)
- Death certificate (if one parent is deceased)
The Process
- Contact us with travel details (dates, destination, who the child is travelling with).
- We prepare the consent letter based on your specific situation.
- The consenting parent signs before the notary at our office (bring original ID).
- We issue the notarised letter — usually completed in a single visit.
Same-day service available for travel consent letters during business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the consent letter need an apostille?
Usually not. The notarised letter is generally sufficient for SA immigration. Some destination countries may require additional authentication — we will advise.
What if the other parent refuses to consent?
If one parent cannot be located or refuses consent, you may need a court order. We can advise on the options but recommend consulting a family law attorney.
How long is the consent letter valid?
There is no fixed validity period in law, but immigration officials expect a recently dated letter. We recommend obtaining a new letter for each trip.
Ready to Get Started?
Contact us today for a quote or to discuss your requirements.