Details on the process, fees, and list of documents required to get travel clearance for minors from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Application for travel clearance for a minor travelling abroad will be filed in the DSWD’s field office with jurisdiction over the applicant’s residence. But you can get the form by visiting any branch or by downloading the DSWD travel clearance application form. Submit the duly accomplished form together with the requirements. Personal appearance of the minor is not required during the application process.
Travel clearance is different from parental travel permit or parental travel authority which is also issued by DSWD. Read further for more details.
Who are minors? These are individuals who are less than 18 years old.
Who should apply for the DSWD Travel Clearance for Minors? It will the parents, legal guardian, or authorized representative.
When should you apply? At least a week before the flight date or even a month earlier in case there are additional requirements that will be asked of you.
Step by step application process:
Go to the DSWD office > Get the application form and fill-it up > Submit the form and required documents (bring the original documents as these may be needed for confirmation of the submitted photocopies) > Evaluation of submitted requirements > Interview with the social worker > Pay the corresponding fee > Get the Travel Clearance.
Some DSWD offices which are busy or with high work load may ask you to come back on another day. Or if you have incomplete requirements, processing will take longer.
Processing schedule of DSWD is Monday to Friday 8 AM to 5 PM (except holidays).
Fees for Travel Clearance for Minors
- Minor travel clearance valid for one year – Php 300
- Minor travel clearance valid for two years – Php 600
The validity of the travel clearance will start on the date of issuance. During the one year or two-years validity period as the case maybe, the minor can go for multiple trips abroad as long as the conditions under which the travel clearance was issued has not changed.
Example: Travel clearance issued in May 2017 in favor of the minor John whose companion is his Aunt Andrea.
*Come July 2017, John will travel abroad again, accompanied still by his Aunt Andrea – no need to get a new travel clearance since the old one he got in May 2017 is still valid.
*Come October 2017, John will travel abroad again but this time will be accompanied by his Uncle Peter – the old May 2017 travel clearance is no longer valid and cannot be used for John’s trip. The minor John needs to get a new travel clearance so he can fly out of the country accompanied by his uncle Peter.
REQUIREMENTS DSWD MINOR TRAVEL CLEARANCE
The Department of Social Welfare and Development has set different documentary requirements for Minors travelling abroad, specifically:
(A) first time and alone
(B) first time with companion other than the parents
(C) minors who have already travelled abroad with a companion other than parents or legal guardian
1 Piso Fare will share with you the required documents for Philippine-passport-holders who are minors per section for greater clarity.
A. REQUIREMENTS for TRAVEL CLEARANCE of a MINOR who will travel outside the Philippines ALONE for the first time
*Submit the following documents to any DSWD field office for unaccompanied minor.
- Completely filled up travel clearance application form – get this from DSWD.
- Photocopy of the Birth Certificate OR the passport of the minor.
- Two colored passport size photos of the minor taken within the last six (6) months.
- A written consent of both parents or the solo parent or the legal guardian permitting the minor to travel alone to a foreign country.
- Submit the appropriate document(s) – the minor applicant may need to submit more documents as appropriate on his / her case.
5.1. If the submitted written consent is by both parents – Submit photocopy of marriage certificate.
5.2. If the submitted written consent is by the legal guardian – Submit a photocopy of the certificate of legal guardianship of the minor.
5.3. If the submitted written consent is by a solo parent – Submit a photocopy of the solo parent identification card from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office or a photocopy of a certification from the local DSWD office of being a solo parent or a court decree of separation, annulment or divorce, Tallaq or Faskh certification from the Shariah court or any Muslim Barangay or religious leader.
* If the minor is an illegitimate child – Submit a certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR)* from the PSA or the Philippine Statistics Authority (formerly NSO). Please note that you cannot get a CENOMAR via Local Civil Registrar.
* If the minor’s parent is deceased – Submit a photocopy of the death certificate.
B. REQUIREMENTS for TRAVEL CLEARANCE of a MINOR who will travel abroad for the first time with a companion other than the parents or legal guardian
Example of companion are aunts, uncles, grandparents, friend of the parent, ninang or ninong, etc.
- Submit duly accomplished application form.
- Submit a photocopy of the birth certificate of minor.
- Submit a written consent of both parents or the solo parent or the legal guardian permitting the minor to travel to a foreign country with a specific person other than the parent.
- Two colored passport size photos of the minor taken within the last 6 months.
- Photocopy of the passport of the traveling companion.
- For the additional documents required (as appropriate), please see SECTION A – Number 5 above.
DSWD Reminder: “The social worker may require additional documentary requirements during the assessment of the Travel Clearance application to make sure that no child shall be trafficked and that the child’s best interest and welfare is ensured”.
C. REQUIREMENTS for TRAVEL CLEARANCE of a MINOR who have already traveled abroad and will travel with a companion other than the parents or legal guardian.
- Submit duly accomplished application form.
- Submit a written consent of both parents or the solo parent or the legal guardian permitting the minor to travel to a foreign country with a specific person other than the parent.
- Photocopy of a previously issued Travel Clearance.
- Two colored passport size photos of the minor taken within the last 6 months.
- Photocopy of the passport of the traveling companion.
ADDITIONAL INFO on Travel Clearance and Parental Permit Authority
If the minor (legitimate) is traveling with just one parent (not both parents), DSWD requires what is called the Parental Travel Permit. When a minor is traveling only with the mother or father, the parent who is left behind shall execute a duly notarized Parental Travel Permit, certifying that he/she is allowing the minor to travel with his/her spouse. DSWD will then grant a Parental Travel Authority and the minor child travelling abroad with one parent can push on with the flight.
TO SUM UP – Who needs travel clearance and/or parental travel permit?
- A minor who will travel with BOTH parents – travel clearance and parental travel permit are not needed.
- A minor who will travel with the solo parent – travel clearance and parental travel permit are not needed. *We suggest though to bring a copy of the solo parent certification in case immigration will ask you to prove solo parent status.
- A minor who will travel with the legal guardian – travel clearance not needed, but must present Parental Travel Permit from the parents of the minor together with a certified copy of Letter of Guardianship or Court Order declaring the same. If the parent is deceased, present death certificate.
- A minor (legitimate) who will travel only with the mother – travel clearance not needed, but the father must execute a notarized parental travel permit.
- A minor (legitimate) who will travel only with the father– travel clearance not needed, but the mother must execute a notarized parental travel permit.
- A minor (illegitimate) who will travel only with the mother, solo parent, or the legal guardian – travel clearance not needed.
- A minor (illegitimate) who will travel only with the biological father – travel clearance needed. See Section A Number 5.
- A minor who will travel with a companion other than the parent or legal guardian – travel clearance is needed. See Section B.
If you have concerns or questions or info on more clearance exemptions, please contact the DSWD field office nearest you or visit the website at dswd.gov.ph. The DSWD social worker will be able to answer all your queries and concerns regarding clearances and permits for minors travelling abroad.
Follow our website and Facebook page to get Philippine travel tips and the latest promo fares like piso fare 2017, pisofare 2018, red hot sale, and more airfare deals – Piso Fare and Airlines Promos on FB.
SHARE this on Facebook, spread awareness of the DSWD requirements for travel clearance for minors!
Melba says
Hi there,
Thank you for this information, this will be helpful. Can I ask you a questions? My children will be travelling for the first time outside Philippines. My daughter is 18.y.o.and my son is 10y.o. what will I do? Do I have to write a letter that I’m allowing my daughter to be responsible for his brother?to whom? Is there any requirements? Do I have toget DSWD cert.or clearances to show during their travel? Please help, I don’t know where to start.
Cha says
Hi does the minor needs to get a clearance from DSWD if she’s traveling with her parents?
jet palacio says
i read on the application form of the dswd that the minor who will travel for the first time and his visa is for permanent residence he don’t need a travel clearance. what if he will travel with his mother’s friend going to canada? what documents he need to shw on the immigration?
maika says
Hi! This post is really informative. Thank you!
However, this doesn’t answer the current situation I have.
I have a 2y.o son. Me and his dad was never married. He abandoned us when I was still pregnant. He never acknowledge my son as his son. We don’t have any contact with him anymore.
How can I still get a clearance and a passport for my son? I hope to hear answers from you soon!! Thank you!!
1PisoFare says
It is best to visit any DFA office to ask the requirements for your specific case
Iley cee says
Hi. I have a difficult situation, i have a daughter from my 2nd partner however i am married first and annulment is on process from my husband. Now, i am out of the country and I want to bring my daughter to visit here. If I will get CENOMAR, I am still married because of annulment is not yet done, and my daughter is an illegitimate child from my 2nd partner. What do I need to do?
Danilo g. ambagan says
If a minor is travelling abroad with grandparents as tourist does DSWD clearance still be required
ian says
dswd clearance required under section B
Aqeelah says
Hi! My sister and I are travelling without our parents (but with our titas and cousins), I’m 18 years old and my sister is 20 years old, and we’re confused whether we should get dswd clearance since our agency told us that we need to get a dswd travel clearance (after the approval of visa) since we’re not gonna travel with our parents but we’re not minors anymore so do we still need to get dswd clearance or nah? Thanks! 🙂
1PisoFare says
No need po since hindi na kayo minor
Mira says
Hi! Ask ko lang po if need pa ng travel consent from our parents if kukuha ng passport yung sister ko (17 yrs old)? I am already 25 yrs old at isasabay ko sana sya para kumuha ng passport. Idk kung ano yung specific requirements ng minor bukod sa general requirements na nabasa ko sa dfa website, naguguluhan pa rin po ako kung need pa ng travel clearance at dswd clearance. Hindi pa po sya magtatravel abroad, most likely kukuha lang ng passport para ready na any time soon ma mag tatravel sya.