Originally Posted by
VidaNaPraia
Regulations such as this are put in place to try to prevent international kidnappings, by one parent or by traffickers. Documents are to assure officials that the child is traveling with a person who is authorized by both custodial parents.
As the parent of a precious child, aren't you pleased that one more government is trying to do something (however confusing initial implementation may appear), rather than risk your child? Focus on that (and stop quibbling about details, particularly just to be devil's advocate).
What does the child have in lieu of "a real birth certificate" to serve in all other instances when a person might need one? That, with the adoption certificate (with parents' names), should fulfill the intent of the regulation.
Hmmmm........ ?
Why not contact the Consulate to clarify your personal situation if you have doubts?
These regulations aren't doing anything to stop child trafficking. The vast majority of kidnapped children being trafficked will never get on a plane and enter a country via an official immigration channels.
Secondly, how on earth is the average South African immigration official ever going to determine the validity of any of these documents? The permission letter is just a letter, any fool with microsoft word and a printer can whip one up in 5 seconds.
And I don't think any South African immigration official have ever seen a birth certificate issued by they State of Alaska (where my child was born). How on earth is he going to validate that 1. That's a valid, real birth certificate and 2. It really belongs to the child in front of him and the parents listed are actually his real parents and 3. The permission letter was really sign by the other parent listed on the birth certificate.