The Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) is reiterating the requirements in applying for travel clearance which is being issued by the Department, for minors who are travelling abroad alone or with person/s other than their biological parents.

DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan emphasized that travel clearance aims to prevent child trafficking and any other forms of abuse which may be experienced by minors who are travelling abroad, in the absence of their parents.

Issuance of travel clearance has high demand usually during school vacation wherein minors travel abroad to visit their relatives or spend vacation in foreign countries.

Among the requirements to apply for travel clearance for minors who are travelling abroad alone or with person/s other than their biological parents for the first time, are as follows:

1. Duly accomplished application form
2. Photocopy of the birth certificate of the minor from the National Statistics Office (NSO)
3. Consent of both parents or the solo parent or the legal guardian permitting the minor to travel alone or with someone else specifying the purpose of travel and the country of destination
4. Copy of the following certificates under the specified circumstances below:                                                                                                                                  a. Photocopy of the marriage contract of the minor’s parents     or a copy of Court certificate of legal guardianship of the minor;                      b. In the case of solo parents, a photocopy of the solo parent identification card from the Municipal/ City Social Welfare and Development Office or a certification from the Social Welfare and Development Office of being a solo parent or Tallaq or Fasakh certification from the Shariah court or any Muslim Barangay or religious leader;                                                                                                           c. In the case of an illegitimate minor, a certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR) of the mother from NSO should be submitted; and              d. In the case of a deceased parent, a photocopy of the death certificate from NSO.
5. Two (2) colored passport size photos of the minor taken within the last six (6) months
6. Photocopy of the passport of the traveling companion

7.  Valid ID or passport of parents/s with signature                                             8. Authorization letter or Special Power of Attorney (SPA) from the parent/s authorizing their representative to apply and claim the travel clearance with a photocopy of the ID of the authorized representative

However, other documentary requirements may be required according to the purpose of travel and based on assessment of the social worker.

For application and/or further queries, applicants may visit the nearest DSWD Field Office in their area, while for NCR, applicants may call telephone number 310-1435 and 733-0010 local 210 or go to DSWD-NCR at 389 San Rafael corner Legarda Streets, Sampaloc, Manila. ### (Social Marketing Office, DSWD FO-NCR, May 21, 2014)