What is a DSWD Travel clearance and who needs it? 

To put it simply, DSWD clearance is a travel clearance issued by Department of Social Welfare and Development for a Filipino minor child, who wants to travel alone, or with an adult who is not his parent or legal guardian. It is put in place to protect the welfare of minor Filipino travelers.

Who need to secure a DSWD Clearance? 

Filipino children who are below 18 years old who are traveling alone or with an adult who is not their parent or legal guardian. 

Who are exempted from securing a DSWD Clearance?

Children who fall under these categories do not need to secure a DSWD Clearance

1. If the minor is travelling with either parent
2. If the minor is traveling with legal guardian 
3. If the minor holds a valid Permanent Residency Card or can prove immigration status with parents abroad.
4. If a minor is a dual citizen and holding a foreign passport.

 

What are the requirements needed to secure a DSWD Clearance?

Basic Requirements for first time applicants

1. Duly accomplished application form.
2. Original and photocopy of applicant’s PSA Birth Certificate
3. Two (2) pieces of recent coloured, passport size pictures.
4. Original and photocopy of parent’s PSA Marriage Contract, if applicable
5. If the applicant’s parents are unmarried, a PSA issued Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) is required.
6. PSA Copy of Death Certificate for the deceased parent.
7. Notarized Affidavit of Consent signed by both parents. In most cases, a lawyer has a template for this, if parents are working abroad it should be secured from the embassy of your resident country. Sample here.
8. Valid ID of parents with specimen signatures.
9. Valid passport and visa if parents are working abroad.
10. Valid passport of minor’s traveling companion
11. Notarized Affidavit of Undertaking if travelling companion is a non-relative of minor.
12. Notarized Affidavit of Support with copy of any evidence to show financial capability of sponsor such as pay slips, Certificate of Employment and Bank Statement.
13. Notarized Affidavit of Consent signed by both parents, or the person holding a legal custody of the minor.

Requirements for Renewal

1. Original Copy of the old DSWD Clerance
2. Accomplished Application Form
3. Valid ID of parents with specimen signatures.
4. Valid passport and visa if parents are working abroad.
5. Valid passport of minor’s traveling companion
6. Notarized Affidavit of Undertaking if travelling companion is a non-relative of minor.
7. Notarized Affidavit of Support with copy of any evidence to show financial capability of sponsor such as pay slips, Certificate of Employment and Bank Statement.
8. Notarized Affidavit of Consent signed by both parents, or the person holding a legal custody of the minor.

Additional Requirements for a minors travelling alone outside the Philippines

1. A certificate issued by the airlines for unaccompanied minor
2. Waiver signed by the parents releasing DSWD from any liability from the child’s travel.

Where can you find the forms needed for DSWD Clearance?

Application forms and templates copy of Affidavits can be downloaded here . If the parents are working or residing abroad, the Affidavits need to be Apostilled by the Philippines Embassy where you are based.

What is the legal age for a Filipino minor child to travel outside the Philippines alone

No minor below 13 years old shall be allowed to travel unaccompanied/alone.

Where can you submit the requirements for DSWD Travel Clearance?

Online applications can be made if you are from NCR, Region VI and Region V11. Please apply here.

For the rest of the applications you can submit the requirements in person to the DSWD Field office that has the jurisdiction of the residence of the minor.

DSWD Field Offices Addresses and Contact Numbers

DSWD-National Capital Region
389 San Rafael corner, Legarda Street, Sampaloc, Manila
Tel/Fax:  8-310-1435,   8-733-0010 local 210

Email Add: travelclearance_dswd@yahoo.com

DSWD Field Office I
Quezon Avenue, San Fernando, La Union
Tel/Fax: (072) 888-2505/888-2184

DSWD-Field Office II
3 Dana Pagyaya, Regional Government Center
Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
Tel/Fax: (078)846-7532/846-7043

DSWD-Field Office III
Government Center, Maimpis,
San Fernando, Pampanga
Tel/Fax: (045)861-2413 (telefax)

DSWD Field Office IV-A (CALABARZON)
Alabang-Zapote Road, Muntinlupa City
Tel/Fax: (02) 387-2632 or 850-8380/807-1518

DSWD Field Office IV-B (MIMAROPA)
1680 F.T. Benitez corner Gen. Malvar Sts., Malate, Manila
Tel/Fax: (02) 336-8106 local 401/336-8106 local 103

DSWD Field Office V
Magnolia St. PBN Buraguis, Legaspi City
Tel/Fax: (052) 821-7920 or 480-5346/480-5754

DSWD Field Office VI
M.H. del Pilar Street, Molo, Iloilo City
Tel: (033) 300-0526/ 337-6221

DSWD Field Office VII
MJ Cuenco Avenue corner Gen. Maxilom Ave., Cebu City
Tel/Fax: (032) 233-8779 or through trunkline no. 412-9908

DSWD Field Office VIII
Magsaysay Blvd., Tacloban City
Tel/Fax: (053) 321-3090 or 321-1176/ 321-1007

DSWD Field Office IX
General Vicente Alvarez St., Zamboanga City
Tel/Fax: (062) 991-6030, 991-6056 (trunkline)/993-0652

DSWD Field Office X
Masterson Ave., Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City
Tel/Fax: (088) 858-88-92/858-89-59

DSWD Field Office XI
Suazo St., cor. Magsaysay Ave., Davao City
Tel/Fax: (082) 226-28-57/227-8746

DSWD Field Office XII
9506-Purok Bumanoag, Brgy. Zone 3, Koronadal City
Tel/Fax: (083) 520-0572 or 228-3180/228-8637

DSWD Field Office CARAGA
R. Palma St. Butuan City
Tel/Fax: (085) 346-0113/815-9173

DSWD Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
40 North Drive, Baguio City
Tel/Fax: (074) 444-3209 or 444-3262/442-7917