When traveling with children under 18, parents must carry either the original or a certified copy of the unabridged birth certificate in addition to valid passports. The Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration does not accept the abridged (short) birth certificate, which only contains the child’s particulars.
If the parents’ details are printed on the back of the child’s passport, this serves as the unabridged birth certificate in the ‘new’ format. This information should be found on the last page of the child’s passport. If not present, an application for the unabridged birth certificate is necessary. The unabridged birth certificate must include the child’s details as well as those of both parents.
If both parents’ details are listed on the UBC, both must provide consent (via Affidavit) for the child’s travel (in the case that neither of the parents is accompanying the child). However, if only one parent’s details are present, only that parent’s consent is required.
It may take up to 8 weeks to process an application for a UBC. For further details on applying for a UBC, please visit: https://bit.ly/2RdIKL7.
Alternatively, should you not receive the UBC in time you can request a letter from Home Affairs (on official letterhead and stamped) with both fathers’ and mothers’ details included. This letter should state that the application for the UBC has been submitted but not yet processed. This letter can be acquired only three weeks after the UBC application is submitted. It is important that this letter clearly states IN LIEU OF.