Terminology Annexure A
“Supporting documents” include the following:
a) “Court order granting full parental rights and responsibilities” (previously called sole
custody) or legal guardianship in respect of the minor;
b) “Court order granting specific parental rights and responsibilities” (previously called joint
custody) or joint legal guardianship in respect of the minor;
c) “Court order in terms of section 18(5) of the Children’s Act, 2005”, authorising a minor to
enter or depart from the Republic in the absence of parental consent of either parent;
d) “Copies of the identity documents or passports of the parents or duly appointed legal
guardian of the minor”;
e) “Confirmation of Parenthood” issued by the DG in the event of an UBC not being able to be
issued;
f) “Contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the minor” (This may form part of the
Parental Consent Affidavit);
g) “Copy of the identity document or valid passport and visa or permanent residence permit”
of the person who is to receive the unaccompanied minor in the Republic.
h) “Death Certificate of a parent/ parents of a minor”;
i) “Parental Consent Affidavit”;
j) “Equivalent Document“ in lieu of an unabridged birth certificate (Confirmation of
Parenthood);
k) Letter from the Provincial Head of the Department of Social Development where the minor
resides authorising his or her departure from the Republic as contemplated in section 169 of
the Children's Act, 2005;
l) “Letter of Special Circumstances” issued by Director-General of Home Affairs in the event
that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has been
appointed as yet;
m) Letter from the person who is to receive the minor in the Republic;
n) “Unabridged Birth Certificate” of the minor.
“Alternative Care” means the care of a minor in accordance with section 167 of the Children’s Act,
2005, which reads as follows:
“A child is in alternative care if the child has been placed—
(a) in foster care;
(b) in the care of a child and youth care centre following an order of a court in terms of
this Act or the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act No.51 of 1977); or
(c) in temporary safe care.”
“Equivalent Document” is any official document or letter issued by a foreign government (including a
foreign embassy) or a letter issued by the Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs, in
lieu of an unabridged birth certificate and which serves as a confirmation of parenthood.