Do I need a consent letter for my child to travel in Zimbabwe?

Yes, if a child (under 18) is travelling internationally without both parents, a consent letter is required. If the child is travelling with one parent, the absent parent must provide written consent. If the child is travelling with a non-parent (grandparent, teacher, etc.), both parents must provide written consent. This applies to both departure from Zimbabwe and entry into most other countries, particularly South Africa.

What supporting documents are needed for child travel?

Supporting documents typically include: (1) the child's passport, (2) an unabridged birth certificate showing both parents' names, (3) the consent letter attested by a Commissioner of Oaths, (4) a certified copy of the absent parent's ID or passport, (5) contact details of the absent parent, and (6) details of the person meeting the child at the destination. If travelling to South Africa, additional requirements may apply under their Immigration Act.

Consent Letter for Child Travel Zimbabwe — Free Template

Q: Does the consent letter need to be notarised?

The consent letter must be sworn before or attested by a Commissioner of Oaths. In Zimbabwe, Commissioners of Oaths include legal practitioners, police officers of the rank of Assistant Inspector or above, magistrates, and designated public officials. Some destination countries (particularly South Africa) require the letter to be less than 6 months old. For extra assurance, you can have it notarised by a Notary Public, though this is not always required.

Q: What if one parent is deceased?

If one parent is deceased, the surviving parent must provide: (1) a certified copy of the death certificate, (2) the child's unabridged birth certificate showing both parents' names, and (3) a consent letter from the surviving parent if the child is travelling with someone else. Immigration officials will accept the death certificate in lieu of consent from the deceased parent.

When Is a Consent Letter Required?

A consent letter for child travel (also called a parental consent affidavit or travel authorisation letter) is a document in which one or both parents give written permission for their child (a person under 18 years of age) to travel, typically internationally, without them being present.

In Zimbabwe and across Southern Africa, these letters have become increasingly important as governments tighten regulations to combat child trafficking and abduction. Immigration officials at airports and border posts routinely request consent letters when a child is not travelling with both biological parents.

Scenarios Where Consent Is Required

Travel Scenario	What Is Required
Child travelling with one parent	Consent letter from the absent parent, plus certified copy of their ID
Child travelling with a grandparent, relative, or other adult	Consent letters from both parents, plus certified copies of both parents’ IDs
Child travelling alone (unaccompanied minor)	Consent letters from both parents, details of person meeting the child at destination, airline unaccompanied minor form
Child travelling with a school group or sports team	Consent letters from both parents, plus details of the responsible adult/organisation
One parent is deceased	Death certificate of deceased parent, consent from surviving parent
Parents are divorced	Consent from the parent who does not have custody (or a court order granting sole custody and travel rights)
One parent is absent/unreachable	A court order dispensing with the absent parent’s consent, or a sworn affidavit explaining why consent cannot be obtained

South Africa Entry Requirements: South Africa has some of the strictest child travel document requirements in the region. Children entering South Africa must have an unabridged birth certificate (showing both parents’ names), a consent letter from the absent parent(s), and contact details of the person meeting them. These requirements apply to all nationalities, including Zimbabwean children.

What the Consent Letter Must Include

A properly drafted consent letter should contain:

Full names and ID/passport numbers of the parent(s) giving consent
Full names and date of birth of the child
Passport number of the child
Relationship of the consenting parent to the child
Full names and ID/passport number of the person the child is travelling with
Destination country/countries
Travel dates (departure and return)
Purpose of travel (holiday, family visit, school trip, etc.)
Contact details of the consenting parent (phone number and email)
Details of accommodation or the person meeting the child at the destination
Signature of the consenting parent, attested before a Commissioner of Oaths
Date (must be within the last 6 months for most destinations)

Commissioner of Oaths Attestation

The consent letter must be sworn before or attested by a Commissioner of Oaths. This gives the document legal weight and confirms the identity of the person signing it. In Zimbabwe, the following persons can act as Commissioners of Oaths:

Legal practitioners (lawyers/attorneys)
Police officers of the rank of Assistant Inspector or above (available at most ZRP stations)
Magistrates
Designated public officials (e.g., certain officials at the Registrar-General’s office)
Justices of the Peace

The Commissioner of Oaths will verify the parent’s identity (bring your national ID or passport), witness the signature, and stamp and sign the document. There is usually a small fee for this service.

Important: Many destination countries require the consent letter to be dated within the last 6 months. If you are planning travel well in advance, wait to have the letter attested until closer to the travel date. An expired consent letter will be rejected at immigration.

Supporting Documents Checklist

In addition to the consent letter, you should prepare the following supporting documents:

Child’s passport — Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the travel dates
Unabridged birth certificate — Showing both parents’ names (essential for South Africa)
Certified copy of absent parent’s ID or passport
Death certificate (if applicable) — Certified copy of the deceased parent’s death certificate
Court order (if applicable) — Custody order, guardianship order, or order dispensing with consent
Visa (if required for the destination country)
Return flight ticket — Some immigration posts require proof of a return journey

Special Circumstances

Deceased Parent

If one parent is deceased, the surviving parent provides their own consent letter and attaches a certified copy of the death certificate. The unabridged birth certificate will show both parents’ names, and the death certificate explains why only one parent is providing consent.

Divorced Parents

If the parents are divorced, the parent with custody provides the consent letter. If the court order grants sole custody with travel rights, a certified copy of the court order may suffice in place of consent from the other parent. If the court order requires both parents’ consent for travel, then both must provide letters.

Absent or Unreachable Parent

If a parent cannot be located to provide consent, the travelling parent should apply to the High Court for an order dispensing with the absent parent’s consent. This is a legal process that requires demonstrating to the court that reasonable efforts have been made to locate the absent parent.

How to Use This Template

Download the free consent letter template below. All fields that need to be completed are marked with [brackets]. You will need:

Full names and ID/passport numbers of the consenting parent(s)
Full names, date of birth, and passport number of the child
Name and ID/passport number of the accompanying adult
Travel dates and destination
Your contact details

After completing the letter, take it to a Commissioner of Oaths (police station, lawyer, or magistrate) with your national ID for attestation. Make several certified copies to carry with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a consent letter for my child to travel?

Yes, if the child is travelling internationally without both parents. One parent absent requires their consent letter. Both parents absent requires consent from both. This is enforced at Zimbabwe's borders and airports.

Does the consent letter need to be notarised?

It must be attested by a Commissioner of Oaths (available at police stations, law firms, and magistrate courts). Full notarisation by a Notary Public is not always required but adds extra assurance.

What if one parent is deceased?

Provide a certified copy of the death certificate along with the surviving parent's consent letter and the child's unabridged birth certificate showing both parents' names.

What supporting documents are needed?

The child's passport, unabridged birth certificate, certified copy of the absent parent's ID, the attested consent letter (dated within 6 months), and details of who will meet the child at the destination.

Consent Letter for Child Travel Zimbabwe