DSWD TRAVEL CLEARANCE FOR MINORS

Everything a Philippine lawyer, travel professional, or parent needs to know (as of 26 June 2025)

1. Why does the Philippines require a DSWD travel clearance?

Purpose	Governing law / policy
Protect minors (< 18 yrs) from trafficking, illegal recruitment and other forms of abuse	Republic Act 7610 (Special Protection of Children), RA 9208 & RA 10364/RA 11862 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons), PD 603 (Child & Youth Welfare Code), RA 11032 (Ease of Doing Business)
Create an administrative gate-keeping tool that immigration officers can verify at departure points	DSWD Administrative Order No. 12-2017 (Revised Omnibus Guidelines on Minors Travelling Abroad)--still the base text, as last amended by AO 59-2023
Integrate with BI, CFO and DFA departure formalities	BI Memorandum Order MCL-15-003, CFO-IACAT Joint Guidelines (2023)

2. Who must secure a DSWD travel clearance?

A Philippine citizen minor (below 18) who will leave the Philippines and is:

Unaccompanied – travelling alone;
Accompanied by an adult who is NOT any of the following:
- Both parents;
- The solo parent (with Solo Parent ID);
- The legal guardian (court-appointed; guardianship order needed);
- The accompanying foreign parent in cases of solo custody by foreign parent (rare).

3. Who is exempt?

Scenario	Documentary proof shown only to Bureau of Immigration; NO DSWD clearance
Minor accompanies both parents	Passports of parents + PSA birth certificate of child
Travelling with either parent and the other parent executes Notarised Affidavit of Consent & Support (ACS)	Passport + ACS + DFA-authenticated if abroad
Immigrant/dual-citizen minors holding foreign passport and Philippine Recognition Certificate	Recognition/Identification Certificate
Domestic travel inside PH (DSWD clearance is strictly for international departure)	N/A
15-17 yrs with valid POEA/OWWA accreditation as entertainers, athletes etc.*	POEA travel clearance instead
Foreign minor under temporary visit who entered on tourist visa	Governed by BI waiver, not DSWD

* Child labour law permits certain categories (e.g., elite athletes) under RA 9231; POEA clears them, not DSWD.

4. Validity & Fees (DSWD AO 12-2017, Sec. 9)

Option	Validity	Government fee (Php)
Single trip	1 year or until date of travel (whichever comes first)	300
Multiple trips (same accompanying adult/s & destination/s)	2 years	600

Processing time: three (3) working days maximum (RA 11032). Same-day/express release is discretionary but common at NCR Field Office for clients with complete documents.

5. Documentary requirements (standard cases)

Duly accomplished DSWD Travel Clearance Application Form (TC Form-2023)
Recent passport-size photo of minor – white background, taken within 6 months
PSA-issued birth certificate of minor (or Recognition Certificate if dual citizen)
Marriage certificate of parents or CENOMAR if unmarried parents
Valid passports/IDs of accompanying person + photocopies
Affidavit of Consent & Support (ACS) signed by both parents / solo parent / guardian – notarised; if executed abroad, authenticated by PH Embassy/Consulate (apostille acceptable)
Proof of relationship of accompanying adult if not parent (e.g., school ID, barangay certificate attesting as aunt/uncle)
Itinerary / confirmed airline booking (optional but usually requested to match dates)
School ID or Certificate of Enrolment (if travelling during class days)

Tip: Bring two sets of photocopies; DSWD retains one, BI may collect another at boarding gate.

6. Special & complex cases

Case	Additional / substitute documents
Illegitimate child travelling with biological mother → No clearance needed if with mother. If with someone else → DSWD clearance + mother’s notarised ACS.
Illegitimate child under custody of biological father	Court order granting custody + father’s ACS
*Minor under temporary guardianship* / foster care**	DSWD Foster Placement Authority or Foster Parent License + Regional Director’s Travel Authority
Inter-country adoptee (pre-adoption placement authority issued)	ICAB pre-adoptive placement authority + ICAB Travel Authority replaces clearance
Emancipated minor (married below 18 under Art. 34, Family Code)	Marriage certificate; technically adult—no clearance
Seafaring cadets on shipboard training	MARINA endorsement + school indorsement; DSWD usually issues group clearance
Group tours / school delegations	DSWD Group Travel Clearance; one docket, attach master list signed by school head and notarised parental consents

7. Application channels (2025 update)

e-Services Portal (https://etravelclearance.dswd.gov.ph)
- Register, upload scans (PDF/JPG ≤ 2 MB each)
- Pay via Link.Biz or GCash
- Clearance released as digitally-signed PDF with QR-code; print on A4 or save on device
Walk-in / Appointment at any DSWD Field Office (17 regions)
- Slot booking via DSWD Queuing Management System highly recommended in NCR, CALABARZON, Central Visayas
Philippine Embassies/Consulates – pilot only: Tokyo, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh; for resident Filipino minors abroad coming home with non-parent guardians.

8. Verification at departure

Agency	What they check
Airline check-in	Presence of either QR-coded e-clearance PDF or original signed clearance
Bureau of Immigration	Scans QR code via BI Travel Control System; matches names/dates; collects original if paper
CFO / IACAT (when warranted)	Interviews possible trafficking red-flags, especially for first-time travellers to high-risk destinations (e.g., Cambodia gaming hubs)

Failure to present a valid clearance results in off-loading and possible inquest under RA 9208.

9. Penalties for falsification, misrepresentation or non-compliance

P.D. 1619 (Falsification of documents) – 6 yrs 1 day to 12 yrs
RA 9208/11862 – up to life imprisonment + ₱2 M-5 M fine if trafficking proven
Administrative sanctions vs. travel agency or airline for facilitating irregular departure

10. Interaction with other regimes

Scenario	Required clearances
Minor emigrating with parent on permanent resident visa	DSWD travel clearance plus CFO-GCP certificate
13-17 yr minor hired as entertainer overseas	POEA travel exit clearance supersedes DSWD; BI still verifies consent
Minor dual citizen holding only foreign passport	Must secure Recognition Certificate OR use Philippine passport; otherwise BI may treat as foreign minor and require Waiver of Exclusion Ground

11. Practical advice & common pitfalls

Affidavit dates must logically precede travel dates; BI rejects ACS executed after issuance of clearance.
Name discrepancies (e.g., “Ma.” vs “Maria”) require Joint Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons.
Parental deaths: attach PSA death certificate; surviving parent signs ACS alone.
Digital clearances should be printed in color; some foreign airports still request physical copy upon return.
Lost clearance: re-print from portal (if digital) or apply for Certified True Copy (CTC) at issuing Field Office.

12. Future developments to watch (as of mid-2025)

E-DSWD ID pilot: parents authenticated through PhilSys-based digital signature—may remove need for notarisation.
Proposed House Bill 10112 seeks to waive fees for minors of OFWs and indigent families.
Integration with eTravel unified arrival/departure card (IATF-endorsed) expected Q4 2025.

13. Quick reference checklist (standard case)

☑️ Application Form TC-2023
☑️ Child’s PSA birth certificate
☑️ Parents’ marriage cert / CENOMAR
☑️ Affidavit of Consent & Support (notarised)
☑️ IDs/passports of parents & accompanying adult
☑️ 2× passport photos of child
☑️ Air ticket / itinerary (recommended)
☑️ Php 300 or 600 payment

Bottom line: Any Filipino minor departing the country without both parents must carry a DSWD travel clearance, unless a specific exemption applies. Obtain it early, ensure documents are consistent, and keep multiple copies. Non-compliance can ruin travel plans and trigger criminal liability.