Minor children require special documents

Minor children require special documents The official spokesperson of the home affairs ministry Salome Kambala has reminded Namibians travelling in and out of Namibia with minor children, to ensure that they meet with the requirements of the laws of their countries of destination.

In this regard, Kambala has strongly advised all travellers with children under the age of 18 to adhere to the following:

Travellers should at all times carry a certified copy, if not the original, of the full, unabridged birth certificate of the children, in addition to the children's passport;

Adults travelling with children that are not their biological children should be in possession of an affidavit (sworn statement deposed to before a commissioner of oaths) from the child's parents where they consent that the child may travel with particular traveller;

When a child is travelling with anyone other than his or her own parents, the traveller should have copies of the identity documents or passport of the parents or legal guardians of the child;

If a child is travelling with only one parent, the other parent should, by way of affidavit, provide consent for the child to travel with the other parent;

Where applicable, if one parent is has died, travellers should be in possession of a death certificate of the other parent of the child on the birth certificate;

Any unaccompanied minor may be required to produce proof of consent from one of or both his or her parents or legal guardian, as the case may be, in the form of an affidavit for the child to travel, a letter from the person who is to receive the child, containing his or her residential address and contact details where the child will travel to, a copy of the identity document or valid passport and visa or permanent residence permit of the person who is to receive the child, and the contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the child.

Kambala outlined that these measures are serious and have been implemented in most of the border management systems. To avoid disappointments when travelling, Namibians should adhere to these guidelines.

STAFF REPORTER