DSWD TRAVEL CLEARANCE FOR FILIPINO MINORS LEAVING THE PHILIPPINES UNACCOMPANIED BY PARENTS
The unabridged information on applying for a DSWD Travel Clearance is found at the website of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at www.dswd.gov.ph.
A DSWD Travel Clearance is a document issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to a Filipino child age below 18 years of age, regardless of civil status, leaving the Philippines alone or with someone other than his or her parents. Philippine law requires minor children who are traveling abroad without their parents to obtain a DSWD Travel Clearance, which is a safeguard against the trafficking of Filipino children.
Philippine port and airport authorities will require it.
Application should be made with the office of the DSWD by a relative or representative authorized by the parents.
Who does not need a DSWD Travel Clearance to leave the Philippines?
- A Filipino minor traveling with either parent, with his or her solo parent or legal guardian;
- A Filipino minor whose parents are in the Foreign Service
- A Filipino minor who holds a temporary or permanent resident visa of another country and is rejoining the parents in that country
- A child holding a foreign passport
- Holds a valid pass such as Dependent Visa, Dependent Pass, Dependent Identification, Permanent Resident Visa, Permanent Resident Pass, or Permanent Resident Identification Card is no longer required to secure a DSWD Travel Clearance
- Was born abroad and has foreign citizenship
A Filipino minor who lives abroad but does not hold a Permanent Resident Visa, Permanent Resident Pass, or Permanent Resident Identification Card is required to secure a DSWD Travel Clearance.
Documentary requirements
1. Duly accomplished DSWD Application Form (downloadable from the DSWD website (www.dswd.gov.ph)
2. Photocopy of the birth certificate or passport of the minor
3. A written consent of both parents, single parent, or legal guardian permitting the child to travel alone or with someone else to a foreign country
4. Photocopy of passport of traveling companion (if the child is travelling accompanied)
5. Appropriate document of civil status of parents:
- photocopy of the marriage certificate of the parents of the minor , or
- for legal guardians, a photocopy of the certificate of legal guardianship of the minor, or
- for single parents, a photocopy of the solo parent identification card issued by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office or Tallaq, or Fasakh Certification issued by the Shariah court or any Muslim Barangay or religious leader, or
- for single parents, a photocopy of the Certificate of the parents of No Marriage issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO), or
- if the parents are deceased, a photocopy of the death certificate;
6. Two colored passport photographs of the minor taken within the last 6 months.
A DSWD Travel Clearance is valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of issuance and shall be valid for multiple travels within the validity period, provided the conditions under which the DSWD Travel Clearance was issued have not changed. If a change in condition occurs like a change in traveling companion, a new DSWD Travel Clearance must be obtained.
DSWD Travel Clearance Fee
The DSWD collects a processing fee for each DSWD Travel Clearance. The fee will vary according to the length of validity of the Clearance.
