Help! My Child Does Not Have a Yearbook! A Primer for a Smooth and EasyTravel Abroad with your Children.

With the lifting of travel restrictions and the end of the pandemic, families have started traveling again. However, with the recent influx of complaints of inconvenience during immigration, it would be good to know the following rules regarding minors traveling abroad.

The primary rules are in Administrative Order No. 12 series of 2017 of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or the Omnibus Guidelines for Minors Traveling Abroad.

The coverage of the AO no. 12 series of 2017 are the following:

Minors are required to secure travel clearance

1. Filipino minor as defined in AO no. 12 s. 2017 who is traveling alone using a Philippine Passport only for their travel outside the Philippines;

2. Filipino minor traveling with prospective adoptive parents for purpose of inter-country adoption;

3. Filipino minors traveling with a person other than their parents, legal guardian or person exercising parental authority or legal custody over them;

4. Filipino minor who is illegitimate and is traveling with their biological father;

5. For married minors, the same requirement applies to that of unmarried minors traveling abroad.

A minor traveling with both parents, either biological or adoptive, is exempted from the travel clearance requirement. However, it never hurts to bring necessary documents proving parental relationship–whether a hard copy or saved in a PDF format on your mobile phones.

In case a minor is traveling with only one parent (adoptive father or mother, biological mother, legitimate father) an appropriate affidavit of parental consent of the other parent must be presented upon request of immigration officers.

Now, what are the documentary requirements for travel clearances?

For Minor/s traveling alone to a foreign country for the first time:

1. Duly accomplished form which may be found at

   https://car.dswd.gov.ph/programs-services/protective-services-program/minors-travelling-abroad/ ;

2. Assessment Report from the Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO) or SWO II of the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Team when necessary;

3. Birth Certificate on security paper (SECPA) from PSA;

4. Photocopy of the marriage certificate on security paper (SECPA) of the minor’s parents or the Court Decision on Legal Guardianship of the minor, or Tallaq or Fasakh certification from the Shariah Court or any Muslim barangay or religious leader;

5. In the case of an illegitimate minor, a certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR) of the minor’s mother from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Security paper (SECPA);

6. Notarized affidavit or written consent of both parents, the solo parent, and the legal guardian whichever is applicable, permitting the minor to travel to a foreign country. In the absence of both parents or an appointed legal guardian, the relative’s consent in the order of preference provided under Article 216 of the Family Code of the Philippines (EO no. 209 as amended) shall prevail in which case, as Assessment Report by the Social Worker of the LSWDO should also be submitted with a copy of the parent/s / legal guardian’s valid identification card with specimen signature, and visa of parents if working abroad (for legitimate children, both grandparents who have the custody of the minor. For illegitimate or non-marital child, consent of maternal grandparents);

7. Two (2) original colored passport-size photos (white, red, or blue background) of the minor taken within the last six (6) months from the time of application. No scanned picture is allowed.

8. Affidavit of Support and certified copy of any evidence to show the financial stability of the sponsor (parents/legal guardian or other person/agency shouldering the expenses) such as:

   a. Certificate of Employment

   b. Latest Income Tax Return

   c. Bank Statement, etc.

9. In case either or both parents of the minor are deceased, a certified true copy of the Death Certificate/s of each of the parents on security paper (SECPA);

10. Unaccompanied Minor Certificate from the Airlines;

11. Waiver from the parents releasing DSWD from any liability/responsibility in case of an untoward incident during the travel of the child.

For a succeeding travel of unaccompanied or traveling alone minor to a foreign country:

1. Duly accomplished form;

2. Notarized affidavit or written consent of both parents, the solo parent and the legal guardian, whichever is applicable, with a copy of the valid identification card with specimen signature;

   a. Original copy of the previous Travel Clearance issued;

   b. Two (2) original colored passport-size photos (white, red, or blue background) of the minor taken within the last six (6) months from the time of application. No scanned pictures will be accepted;

   c. Unaccompanied Minor Certificate from the Airlines;

   d. Waiver from the parents releasing DSSWD from any liability/responsibility in case of an untoward incident during the travel of the child.

Minors traveling for the first time with a person other than the parents or legal guardian - this applies to kasambahays, bodyguards, and other relatives such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

a. Duly accomplished application form found in the DSWD website;

b. Photocopy of birth certificate of minor (SECPA);

c. Notarized affidavit or written consent of both parents or solo parent or legal guardian, attached with a valid identification card with specimen signature;

d. Photocopy of marriage certificate (SECPA) of the minor’s parents or a certificate of legal guardianship, in the case of solo parent, a solo parent identification card from the LSWDO or a certification of being a solo parent (assessment report of the LSWDO as attachment), a court decree of separation, annulment, or divorce, in case of an illegitimate minor, a certificate of no marriage from PSA, if applicable; in case of deceased parent, a photocopy of the death certificate;

e. Two (2) original colored (white, red, or blue background) passport-size photos of the minor taken within the last six (6) months, no scanned pictures will be accepted;

f. Photocopy of the passport of the traveling companion.

Minor/s traveling subsequently with a person other than the parents or legal guardian:

a. Duly accomplished application form;

b. Original copy of the Travel Clearance previously issued by DSWD Field Office;

c. Notarized affidavit or consent from biological parent/s guardian authorizing a particular person to accompany the child on his/her travel abroad, with a copy of the valid identification card with specimen signature;

d. Two (2) original colored (white, red, or blue background) passport-size photos of the minor taken within the last six (6) months, no scanned pictures will be accepted;

e. Photocopy of the passport of the traveling companion.

Take note that there are additional requirements for minors under special circumstances:

For Filipino minors migrating to another country:

• Visa petition approval

For a minor who will study abroad:

• Acceptance or certificate of enrollment or registration from the school where the minor is to be enrolled

For a minor who will attend conferences, study tours, competitions, student exchange programs, summer camp, pilgrimage, world youth day, and other related activities:

• Certification from sponsoring organization

• Affidavit of the undertaking of companion indicating the safety measures undertaken by the sports agency (for sports competition)

• Signed invitation from the sponsoring agency/organization abroad with an itinerary of travel and list of participants and duration of the activity/travel

For minors going abroad for medical purposes:

• Medical abstract of the minor

• Recommendation from the attending physician that such medical procedure is not available in the country, letter from the sponsor

For minors going abroad for inter-country adoption:

• Notarized affidavit of undertaking by the Foster Parents indicating the purpose of travel, destination, duration of travel, and a provision stating the commitment of the foster parents to the Regional Director or his/her duly authorized representative, within five (5) days upon return to the country

• Notarized affidavit of Consent from the Regional Director or authorized representative

• Photocopy of Foster Placement Authority; (original copy to be attached for verification)

• Photocopy of the Foster Care License of the family; (original copy to be attached for verification)

• DSWD Certification of Child legally available for adoption (CDCLAA), EXCEPT those under Kinship Care wherein their parents did not relinquish the minor for adoption

• Return ticket/s

For a minor under legal guardianship:

• Certified true copy of Court Order on Legal Guardianship

For minor/s whose parent/s are seafarers:

• Certification from the manning agency attesting to the parent’s employment

• Photocopy of the Seaman’s Book

For abandoned minors with alleged missing parents, if the parents are married, the following shall be the requirements:

• Social Case Study Report executed by a licensed social worker of the local government unit

• Blotter report from either the local police or barangay certification from the locality or the last known address of the alleged missing; and

• One (1) returned registered mail to the last known address of the alleged missing parent(s) or known relative(s).

While the documentary requirements are definitely numerous, let us always remember that the government is safeguarding children from unscrupulous individuals. We hope that this comprehensive guide will help you and your children in enjoying a hassle-free holiday abroad. For any immigration concerns Batocabe & Partners is ready, willing, and able to help just call us at 8687-1025 or email us at batocabeandpartners@gmail.com. Safe travels!