In the interest of efficient public service and pursuant to the provisions of existing laws particularly Article IV, Section 8a, Republic Act 7610 otherwise known as Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act and Section 5f, Republic Act 8239 otherwise known as Philippine Passport Act of 1996, and to respond to issues and concerns based on the actual experiences of the field implementers and other stakeholders, Administrative Order No. 14, Series of 2005 or the Amended Omnibus Guidelines for Minors Traveling Abroad is hereby amended.

Henceforth, this guideline shall provide the direction for the issuance of travel clearance to minors traveling abroad in so far as the specific provisions listed herein are concerned.

1. General Policies:

1.1 A travel clearance is required and shall be secured from the DSWD by the following Filipino citizens:

1.1.1 a minor traveling alone to a foreign country except under special circumstances where a minor whose parents are in the foreign service or are living abroad or are immigrants provided he/she is holding a valid pass such as a dependents visa/pass/identification card or permanent resident visa/pass/identification card which serve as proof that he/she is living with parents abroad and their travel does not constitute child trafficking

1.1.2 a minor traveling to a foreign country accompanied by a person other than his/her parents

1.2 A travel clearance from the DSWD is not required by a minor traveling to a foreign country with both or either parents or with his/her solo parent or legal guardian. Solo parenthood or legal guardianship may be proved by:

1.2.1 a photocopy of the solo parent identification card from the Municipal Social Welfare & Development Office or

1.2.2 a photocopy of a certification from the local 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 or

1.2.3 in the case of an illegitimate minor, a certificate of no marriage from the local civil registrar or

1.2.4 in the case of a deceased parent, a photocopy of the death certificate, and

1.2.5 in the case of legal guardianship, a certificate of legal guardianship issued by the court

1.3 A minor traveling abroad whose parents are in the foreign service or are living abroad or are immigrants is not required a travel clearance provided he/ she is holding a valid pass such as a dependents visa/ pass/identification card or permanent resident visa/pass/ identification card which serve as proof that he/she is living with parents abroad and their travel does not constitute child trafficking.

1.4 A minor traveling abroad with either parent does not require a travel clearance.

1.5 A travel clearance certificate shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance and shall be valid for multiple travels within the validity period, provided that the conditions under which the travel clearance was issued have not changed. If a change in condition occurs, e.g., a change in traveling companion, a new travel clearance must be obtained.

2. Documentary Requirements:

2.1 For a minor traveling alone to a foreign country for the first time

2.1.1 Duly accomplished application form

2.1.2 A photocopy of the birth certificate or passport of the minor

2.1.3 A written consent of both parents or the solo parent or the legal guardian permitting the minor to travel alone to a foreign country

2.1.4 As appropriate, a photocopy of the marriage certificate of the minors parents or a photocopy of the certificate of legal guardianship of the minor or in the case of solo parents, a photocopy of the solo parent identification card from the Municipal Social Welfare & Development Office or a photocopy of a certification from the local 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 or in the case of an illegitimate minor, a certificate of no marriage from the local civil registrar or in the case of a deceased parent, a photocopy of the death certificate

2.1.5 Two colored passport size photos of the minor taken within the last 6 months

2.2 For a minor traveling alone to another country subsequently:

2.2.1 Duly accomplished application form

2.2.2 A written consent of both parents or the solo parent or the legal guardian permitting the minor to travel alone to a foreign country

2.2.3 A photocopy of the previous travel clearance or as required in 2.1.2 and 2.1.4

2.2.4 Two colored passport size photos of the minor taken within the last 6 months

2.3 For a minor traveling for the first time with a person other than the parents or legal guardian:

2.3.1 Duly accomplished application form

2.3.2 A photocopy of the birth certificate or passport of the minor

2.3.3 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 them.

2.3.4 As appropriate, a photocopy of the marriage certificate of the minors parents or a certificate of legal guardianship of the minor or in the case of solo parents, a solo parent identification card from the Municipal Social Welfare & Development Office or a certification from the local Social Welfare and Development office of being a solo parent or a court decree of separation, annulment or divorce, or Tallaq or Fasakh certification from the Shariah court or any Muslim barangay or religious leader or in the case of an illegitimate minor, a certificate of no marriage from the local civil registrar or in the case of a deceased parent, a photocopy of the death certificate

2.3.5 Two colored passport size photos of the minor taken within the last 6 months

2.3.6 Photocopy of the passport of the traveling companion

2.4 For a minor traveling subsequently with a person other than the parents or legal guardian:

2.4.1 Duly accomplished application form

2.4.2 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 them

2.4.3 A photocopy of the previous travel clearance or as required in 2.3.2 and

2.4.4 Two colored passport size photos of the minor taken within the last 6 months

2.4.5 Photocopy of the passport of the traveling companion

3. Procedures

3.1 Application: The application for travel clearance together with the supporting documents required shall be submitted/filed by the parent or legal guardian or a duly authorized representative at any DSWD Field (regional) office (Please see attached list^* ). Application forms may be obtained from any DSWD Field (regional) office or travel clearance office or may be downloaded from the DSWD website (www.dswd.gov.ph).

3.2 Issuance: The travel clearance may be obtained within 3 working days from the DSWD field (regional) or travel clearance unit where it was submitted, provided all requirements have been fulfilled.

3.3 Fees: The DSWD shall collect a processing fee of P300.00 for each travel clearance issued to minors traveling abroad in accordance to Administrative Order No. 60, series of 003 (Amendment in the Guidelines on the Charging of Fees and Services). An official receipt shall be issued for the fee collected.

All issuances inconsistent with this Administrative Order are hereby revoked.

Adopted: 31 March 2006.

(SGD.) DR. ESPERANZA I. CABRAL
Secretary

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^* Text Available at Office of the National Administrative Register, U.P. Law Complex, Diliman Quezon City.