Docs - What Documents Are Required For Children?

The documents that are require for children are quite involved. The documents that are or may be needed are listed below together with explanations. Children are Derivative Applicants.

Derivative Applicants in the South Africa to USA Refugee Program

Understanding Children, Legal Authority, Custody Requirements, Travel Documentation, Required Documents, Costs, and Official Government Sources

What Is a Derivative Applicant?

A derivative applicant is a family member included under the principal refugee applicant’s case within the South Africa to USA in-country refugee program. In most refugee family cases, derivative applicants include a legal spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21. These individuals may qualify for refugee processing based on their relationship to the principal applicant rather than filing an entirely separate refugee claim.

Derivative applicants must still complete interviews, background screening, medical examinations, and document verification procedures before travel approval can be granted.

Why Children Require Additional Documentation

Children involved in refugee processing require additional documentation because both South African authorities and United States immigration authorities must confirm the identity of the child, the legal relationship between the child and the parents or guardians, and whether the correct legal authority exists for the child to leave South Africa permanently.

These rules exist to protect children from trafficking, kidnapping, parental abduction, custody violations, and unauthorized international relocation.

The Principal Applicant Must Have Legal Authority

The principal refugee applicant must generally have full legal authority to remove the child from South Africa for international resettlement. This becomes especially important where parents are divorced, separated, unmarried, or where shared custody exists.

If legal authority cannot be proven through documentation, South African immigration authorities may refuse permission for the child to depart South Africa, even if the refugee case itself has already been approved by the United States.

Biological Children

For biological children, authorities commonly require long-form or unabridged birth certificates that clearly list both parents. These documents help establish legal parentage, nationality, and family relationships.

Additional documents may also be required where only one parent is immigrating with the child.

Adopted Children

Adopted children may qualify as derivative applicants in certain refugee cases, but additional legal documentation is usually required. Authorities may request official adoption orders, court documents, guardianship paperwork, and updated birth records showing the legal adoption.

United States immigration authorities carefully review adoption cases to ensure that the adoption is legally recognized and compliant with immigration law.

Divorced or Separated Parents

Where parents are divorced or separated, additional documentation may be required before a child can legally leave South Africa.

This may include:
• Court-issued custody orders
• Written parental consent
• Sole guardianship orders
• Parenting plans
• Permission-to-travel affidavits
• Death certificates if one parent is deceased

These documents help authorities determine whether the child is legally permitted to immigrate internationally.

When Consent May Not Be Necessary

Additional parental consent may not always be necessary in situations where:
• One parent has sole legal guardianship through a court order
• One parent is deceased
• Full parental rights have been legally terminated
• Adoption legally transferred parental authority
• A court grants authority because a parent cannot be located

Official court documentation is generally required to prove these situations.

Why Children May Not Be Allowed to Leave South Africa

Children may not be allowed to leave South Africa if:
• Unabridged birth certificates are missing
• Custody disputes exist
• Consent documentation is unavailable
• Court orders prohibit travel
• Adoption paperwork is incomplete
• Guardianship cannot be proven
• Passports are invalid or incomplete

These rules are enforced to protect minors and comply with South African and international child protection laws.

Common Documents Required for Derivative Children

Identity & Civil Documents:
• Valid South African passport
• Long-form or unabridged birth certificate
• South African ID (where applicable)

Family Relationship Documents:
• Marriage certificate
• Adoption orders
• Guardianship orders
• Parenting plans

Custody & Consent Documents:
• Court custody orders
• Consent affidavits
• Sole custody orders
• Death certificates

Administrative Documents:
• Passport photographs
• Certified English translations
• Travel consent letters

Estimated South African Document Costs (2026)

• Child Passport — Approximately R600
• Maxi Passport — Approximately R1,200
• Unabridged Birth Certificate — Approximately R75
• Re-issued Marriage Certificate — Approximately R75
• Consent Affidavit at SAPS — Usually free
• Court-certified custody documents — Varies by court
• Adoption paperwork copies — Varies
• Certified translations — Approximately R250 to R1,500+
• Passport photographs — Approximately R80 to R250

Where These Documents Can Be Obtained

• Passports — Department of Home Affairs
• Birth Certificates — Department of Home Affairs
• Marriage Certificates — Department of Home Affairs
• Divorce Orders — Magistrate’s Court or High Court
• Custody Orders — Family Court or High Court
• Police Affidavits — South African Police Service
• Adoption Orders — Children’s Court or High Court
• Death Certificates — Department of Home Affairs

Summary of Important Points

• A derivative applicant is a spouse or child included under the principal refugee applicant’s case.
• Children require additional documentation to confirm legal relationships and parental authority.
• Children may not be permitted to leave South Africa if required consent or custody documentation is missing.
• Divorced or separated parents may need custody orders and written parental consent.
• Adopted children may require adoption orders and guardianship documentation.
• All applicants remain subject to U.S. refugee vetting and South African travel regulations.

With Love
Faith Refugee

Source:

South African Government – Traveling with Children Information

South African Government – Apply for a Passport or Travel Document

USCIS Refugees Information Page

USCIS Refugee Processing and Security Screening