Guide to DSWD Travel Clearance for Filipino Minors
In the Philippines, minors (individuals below 18 years old) traveling abroad alone or with companions other than their parents are required to secure a DSWD Travel Clearance. This policy aims to protect children from potential trafficking, exploitation, or abuse during international travel.
According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), a travel clearance is mandatory for the following situations:
A minor traveling alone;
A minor traveling with someone who is not a parent or legal guardian, including relatives;
A minor under joint parental custody traveling with only one parent, without a notarized affidavit of consent from the other.
Requirements
To apply for a travel clearance, the following documents are typically required:
Duly accomplished application form;
Photocopy of the minor’s birth certificate (PSA-authenticated);
Notarized affidavit of consent from parents or legal guardians;
Two recent passport-size photos of the minor;
Valid IDs of parents/legal guardians and the accompanying adult;
Proof of relationship between the minor and the accompanying adult (if applicable);
Itinerary or flight booking details;
School enrollment certificate or justification of travel (if school-age and traveling during class days).
Additional documents may be requested depending on custody arrangements, guardianship status, or unique travel circumstances.
Validity and Processing
The DSWD travel clearance is usually valid for one year (single or multiple trips) and is processed through the DSWD Field Office covering the applicant’s residence. Applications are submitted in person, and some regions now offer online appointments to streamline the process.
Why It Matters
This clearance is a protective measure designed under the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. It ensures that children traveling abroad do so under safe, authorized, and documented circumstances.
For overseas Filipino families or guardians seeking to take minor children on trips abroad—or send them to visit relatives—this clearance is a non-negotiable requirement enforced at immigration counters. Failure to present one can result in offloading or denied departure.
For more details, applicants can visit the DSWD regional websites or consult embassy resources if applying from abroad.
References:
Respicio & Co. Law Firm. (2024, March 15). DSWD travel clearance requirements for minors in the Philippines. Respicio & Co. https://www.respicio.ph/commentaries/dswd-travel-clearance-requirements-minors-philippines
Philippine Embassy in Germany. (n.d.). DSWD travel clearance for Filipino minors. https://philippine-embassy.de/dswd-travel-clearance-for-filipino-minors/
Department of Social Welfare and Development. (n.d.). Travel clearance for minors. https://old.dswd.gov.ph/travel-clearance-for-minors/
DSWD NCR. (n.d.). FAQs: Travel clearance for minors. https://ncr.dswd.gov.ph/faqs/travel-clearance-for-minors/
PSAHelpline.ph. (2022, November 8). How to secure a travel clearance for minor children from the DSWD. https://psahelpline.ph/blogs/how-to-secure-a-travel-clearance-for-minor-children-from-the-dswd
