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Securing Minor's Travel Clearance
http://www.dswd.gov.ph

To prevent child trafficking, Republic Act 7610 (otherwise known as Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) requires unaccompanied minors below 18 years old who are traveling abroad to secure a travel clearance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

A Travel Clearance is a document issued by the DSWD to a minor traveling outside the Philippines, alone or unaccompanied by his parents, certifying that the minor is authorized to travel abroad for valid reasons. A Travel Clearance is not required if the minor is traveling with both his/her parents. If, however, the minor is traveling with only one of his/her parents, the parent who will be left behind shall execute a duly-notarized Parental Travel Permit (in a form prescribed by DSWD) certifying that he/she is allowing the minor to travel with his/her spouse.

Who Are Required to Secure A Travel Clearance?

1. Children below 18 years old travelling abroad and who are in any of the following circumstances:

Travelling alone;

Travelling with a person other than his/her parents or those exercising parental and legal custody of the child;

Travelling for the purpose of adoption abroad (inter-country adoption);

Minor adopted in the Philippines;

2. An illegitimate child travelling with his/her father; and

3. A minor travelling with a group for sports competition, cultural presentation, pilgrimage or study tours.

Who Can File for Travel Clearance?

1. A minor who is 13 to 17 years old;
2. The minor’s parents or legal guardians;
3. The minor’s travelling companion; and
4. Authorized representative of the minor’s parents/legal guardian

What Are the Requirements for Securing a Travel Clearance?

1. Birth certificate on security paper (SECPA) of the minor.

2. Certified copy of Marriage certificate of minor’s parents, if appropriate.

3. Notarized affidavit of consent from parents/guardian authorizing a particular person to accompany child in his/her travel abroad

4. Notarized affidavit of support of sponsor indicating employment and salary certified by the employer, if appropriate.

5. Certified copy of latest income tax return of sponsoring person and/or parent with official confirmation receipts.

6. Two passport - size pictures of minor.

7. Photo copy of passport and visa of travelling companion.

Additional Requirements:

1. For immigrant minors - visa petition approval.

2. For minors who will study abroad - acceptance from the school where minor is to be enrolled.

3. For minors who will attend conference, study tours, etc. - certification from sponsoring organization.

4. For minors going abroad for medical purposes - medical certificate of the minor

5. For adopted minors - certified copy of adoption decree and clearance from the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), if adoption was promulgated less than 15 days when application for clearance to travel was made.

6. For minors under legal guardianship - certified copy of Letter of Guardianship/Court Order

7. For minor who is 13 years old and above travelling alone - affidavit executed by parents or legal guardian stating that minor shall be fetched at the airport by the sponsor and certification from airlines that they will be responsible for the minor while on travel.

What Are the Procedures in the Issuance of a Travel Clearance?

1. Applicant fills up application form and submits supporting documents (one copy each) to the DSWD Regional Office which has jurisdiction over the applicant’s residence. (Application must be filed at least seven (7) days prior to the scheduled departure of the minor or even earlier if the minor still has to get a passport)

2. The social worker reviews the accomplished application form and documents submitted and makes an assessment through interviews or home visit, if necessary.

3. If result of the assessment is favorable, the social worker recommends approval for issuance of travel clearance. If not, the Department shall request the Bureau of Immigration to place the child on its hold- departure list and shall notify the parent of the child of the said action.

4. The DSWD Field Director or his/her authorized representative signs and issues the “Certificate of Travel Abroad for Minor.” The certificate is valid for six months, and effective for only one travel.

For Inquiries:Metro Manila residents may call up 523-9117 or 525-2445 or go to 1680 F.Tirona Benitez St., Malate, Manila. Non-Metro Manila residents may get in touch with DSWD Field Offices nationwide.

Open this link for DSWD online inquiry form
http://ncr.dswd.gov.ph/inquiry.php