A Travel Clearance is a document issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development below 18 years of age (referred to as minor) travelling abroad unaccompanied by any of the parents or persons having parental authority or legal custody over the child.

1. Filipino minor who is traveling alone using the Philippine Passport only for their travel outside the Philippines;
2. Filipino minor travelling with prospective adoptive parent/s for purpose of inter-country adoption
3. Filipino minor travelling with a person other than his/her parent/s, legal guardian or person exercising parental authority/legal custody over him/her.
4. Filipino minor who is illegitimate and is travelling with his/her biological father.
5. For married minors, the same requirements apply to that of unmarried minors travelling abroad.

I. A minor accompanied by the following:

1.  Either or both of the minor’s parents, if the minor is legitimate;
2. The minor’s biological  mother, if the minor is illegitimate;
3. The minor’s father who has been granted sole parental authority or custody by the proper court, if the minor is illegitimate;
4. The minor’s legal guardian;
5. The person, including one of the minor’s parents, who was granted sole parental authority or legal custody by the proper court, in which case the court decision should specifically include a statement to this effect, i.e., naming the person to whom sole parental authority of legal custody over the minor has been granted.
6. Minor’s adoptive parents if the minor is granted with adoption decree & Certificate of Finality.

II. A minor who is an immigrant or a permanent resident abroad, with foreign passport, or whose parents are in the foreign service holding diplomatic/official passport such as Ambassador/General Consul/Consul/Attaches, provided he/she is holding a valid passport and a visa such as dependent visa/identification card which serves as proof that the travel does not constitute child trafficking.

For  minor/s travelling alone to a foreign country for the first time:

1. Duly accomplished Application Form;
2. Assessment Report from the Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO) or SWOII of the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Team when necessary;
3. Birth certificate on security paper (SECPA) from PSA
4. A photocopy of the marriage certificate on security paper (SECPA) of the minor’s parents or the Court Decision on Legal Guardianship of the minor, or tallaq or fasakh certification from the Shariah Court or any Muslim Barangay or Religious leader;
5. In the case of illegitimate minor, a certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR) of the minor’s mother from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Security paper (SECPA);
6. Notarized (notarized at the place of residence) affidavit or written consent of parents, the solo parent and the legal guardian, whichever is applicable, permitting the minor to travel to a foreign country. In the absence of both  parents or an appointed legal guardian, the relative’s consent in the order of preference provided under Article 216 of the Family Code of the Philippines (Executive Order No. 209 as amended) shall prevail and in which case, an Assessment Report by the Social Worker of the LSWDO should also be submitted with a copy of the parent/s/legal guardian’s valid identification card with specimen signature, and visa of parents if working abroad (for legitimate children, both grandparents who have the custody of the minor). For illegitimate or non-marital child, consent of maternal grandparents is required.
7. Two (2) original colored passport size photos (white, red, or blue background) of the minor taken within the last six (6) months from the time of application. No scanned picture is allowed.
8. Affidavit of Support and certified copy of any evidence to show financial capability of sponsor (parents/legal guardian or other person/agency shouldering the expenses)

• Certificate of Employment
• Latest Income Tax Return
• Bank Statement, etc.

9.  In case either or both parents of the minor are deceased, certified true copy of the Death Certificate/s of each of the                          parents on security paper (SECPA)

      10. Unaccompanied Minor Certificate from the Airlines.

       11. Waiver from the parents releasing DSWD from any liability/responsibility in case of untoward incident during the travel of                   the child.

For a succeeding travel of unaccompanied or traveling alone minor to a foreign to a foreign country:

1. Duly accomplished application form;
2. Notarized affidavit or written consent of both parents, the solo parent and the legal guardian, whichever is applicable, with a copy of the valid identification card with specimen signature;
3. Original copy of the previous Travel Clearance issued;
4. Two (2) original colored passport size photos (white, red or blue background) of the minor taken within the last six (6) months from the time of application. No scanned pictures will be accepted;
5. Unaccomplished Minor Certificate from the Airlines.
6. Waiver the parents releasing DSWD from any liability/responsibility in case of untoward incident during the travel of the child.Minor/s travelling for the first time with a person other than the parents or legal guardian:
   1. Duly accomplished application form
   2. Photo copy of birth certificate of minor (SECPA)
   3. Notarized affidavit or written consent of both parents or solo parent or legal guardian, attached with valid identification card with specimen signature;
   4. Photocopy of marriage certificate (SECPA) of the minor’s parents or a certificate of legal guardianship, in the case of solo parent, a solo parent identification card from the LSWDO or a certification of being a solo parent (assessment report of the LSWDO as attachment), a court decree of separation, annulment or  divorce, in case of illegitimate minor, a certificate of no marriage from the PSA, if applicable; in case of deceased parent, a photocopy of the death certificate;
   5. Two (2) original colored (white, red or blue background) passport size photos of minor taken within the last six (6) six months, No scanned pictures will be accepted;
   6. Photocopy of the passport of the traveling companion.

Minor/s travelling subsequently with other the parents or legal guardian:

1. Duly accomplished application form;
2. Original copy of the Travel Clearance previously issued by DSWD field Office.
3. Notarized affidavit of consent from biological parent/s guardian authorizing a particular person to accompany the child in his/her travel abroad, with a copy of the valid identification card with specimen signature;
4. Two (2) original colored (white, red or blue background) passport size photos of  minor taken within the last six (6) months, No scanned pictures will be accepted;
5. Photocopy of the passport of the travelling companion;

Additional requirements for minor/s – under special circumstances.

For Filipino minor migrating to another country:

• Visa petition approval

For a minor who will study abroad:

• Acceptance or certificate of Enrollment or Registration from the school where minor is to be enrolled.

For a minor who will attend conference, study tours, Competition, Student Exchange Program, Summer Camp, Pilgrimage, World Youth Day and Other Related activities:

• Certification from sponsoring organization
• Affidavit of undertaking of companion indicating the safety measures undertaken by the sports agency (for sports competition)
• Signed invitation from the Sponsoring agency/organization abroad with itinerary of travel and list of participants and duration of the activity/travel

For minor going abroad for medical purposes:

• Medical abstract of the minor
• Recommendation from attending physician that such medical procedure is not available in the country, letter from sponsor

For minor/s whose parent/s are seafarers:

• A certification  from the manning agency attesting to the parent’s employment
• Photocopy of the Seaman’s Book

For abandoned minor with alleged missing parent, if parents are married, the following shall be the requirements:

• Social Case Study Report executed by a licensed social worker of the local government unit.
• Blotter report from either the local police or barangay certification from the locality or the last known address of the alleged missing; and
• One (1) returned registered mail to the last known address of the alleged missing parent(s) or known relative(s)

 “The social worker shall review and evaluate the documents submitted and ensure that it is genuine and valid. An interview shall likewise be conducted and if necessary, additional documents may be required from the applicants.”

The DSWD shall collect a processing fee for each travel clearance issued to minors traveling abroad under the following options:

• Php 300.00 with validity of one (1) year.
• Php 600.00 with validity of two (2) years.

A DSWD travel clearance is valid for a period of one (1) or two (2) years depending on the period applied. However, should there be amendments/ changes in the issued/ used travel clearance, amendments can be made free as long as the travel clearance is within the validity period.

The application for travel clearance, together with the supporting documents required shall be submitted/filed at the DSWD Regional Office that has jurisdiction over the minor’s residence.