How to Get a DSWD Travel Clearance for Minors in 2024

How to get a DSWD Travel Clearance for minors and what are the requirements for the application of travel clearance?

Follow these easy step-by-step procedures in getting a DSWD clearance to travel abroad alone or with your little loved one relatives and friends.

If you are below 18, you can also make your dreams come true to travel the world solo or with your friends. Visit medieval places in Europe or explore the wonders of Asia, no matter where you want to start your journey, do not forget to secure your travel clearance.

In this post, we are going to share the requirements in applying for a DSWD travel clearance. Why do you need this travel permit? How can you get one, where to get a DSWD clearance, how much it is and how long is the processing time? Let’s go!

What is a DSWD Travel Clearance?

Travel Clearance is a permit issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development for a minor who is below 18 years old, who wants to travel abroad alone, without any of his or her parent, or guardian. All minors must secure this travel permit before their travel overseas.

How to Get a DSWD Travel Clearance for Minors:

1. Determine if you need a travel clearance from the DSWD
2. Prepare the documents required for the application of travel clearance
3. Fill out the application form provided by the the DSWD
4. Submit your application at the Department of Social Welfare and Development
5. Pay the processing fees
6. Receive your travel clearance

Who are required to get a DSWD Travel Clearance?

Travel clearance is requested at the boarding reception and immigration before a flight. As long as the minor is traveling without any of his parent or legal guardian, they need this clearance before traveling outside the Philippines.

You will need a travel clearance if you are:

• A minor who is traveling alone using his Philippine Passport only for their travel outside the Philippines
• Below 18 of age traveling with prospective adoptive parent/s for purpose of inter-country adoption
• A minor traveling with a person other than his/her parent/s, legal guardian or person exercising parental authority/legal custody over him/her.
• Illegitimate minor who is traveling with his/her biological father.
• Married minors, the same requirements apply to that of unmarried minors traveling abroad.

DSWD Travel Clearance Requirements for Minors:

1. DSWD Travel Clearance 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. PSA Birth Certificate
4. A photocopy of the PSA marriage certificate 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, PSA CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage) of the minor’s mother
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 original colored passport-size photos (white, red, or blue background) of the minor taken within the last 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 such as Certificate of Employment, Latest Income Tax Return, Bank Statement
9. In case either or both parents of the minor are deceased, certified true copy of the PSA Death Certificate of each of the parents
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

The requirements above are for minors traveling alone to a foreign country for the first time.

DSWD Travel Clearance Application Form

How to Renew a DSWD Travel Clearance?

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

1. DSWD Clearance 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 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 traveling for the first time with a person other than the parents or legal guardian:

1. Duly accomplished application form
2. Photo copy of PSA birth certificate of the minor
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 PSA marriage certificate 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 original colored (white, red or blue background) passport size photos of minor taken within the last 6 six months. No scanned pictures will be accepted
6. Photocopy of the passport of the traveling companion.

Minors traveling 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 original colored (white, red or blue background) passport size photos of  minor taken within the last six months. No scanned pictures will be accepted
5. Photocopy of the passport of the traveling companion

Additional requirements for DSWD Travel Clearance for minors – 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 minors whose parents 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
• One (1) returned registered mail to the last known address of the alleged missing parent or known relative

Depending on the minor’s status above, the documents required and requested must be submitted at the DSWD office where the minor resides. The social worker shall review and evaluate the documents submitted and ensure that they are valid. An interview shall likewise take place and additional documents may be required from the applicants if needed.

DSWD Travel Clearance Fees

How much is the cost of getting DSWD travel clearance? Travel clearance with one-year validity costs P300. For clearances with two-year validity it will cost P600.

DSWD Clearance Frequently Asked Questions:

What if the minor’s parents are dead and there is no appointed legal guardian?

According to DSWD, paternal or maternal grandparents who exercise parental authority over a minor may issue the consent even without guardianship order from the court. But in cases where both the paternal or maternal grandparents are deceased, relatives or acting guardians of the minor should work for their legal guardianship over the minor.

Can illegitimate children with pending visa application at the embassy apply for a travel clearance?

DSWD says that illegitimate children are under the custody of the mother. If they will be traveling with the mother, they are not required to secure a travel clearance from the DSWD. If they are traveling with person other than the mother, they must secure a travel clearance.

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