20 Relocation with my minor child to Japan, Tokyo (Consent and Refusal) – Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf The world is becoming a much smaller place, and technology plays a huge role. People are moving across the world for employment, love and happiness, something that was not the norm a few decades ago. There is no reason why you should remain in South Africa if you can find a better life for yourself and your family overseas. Moving overseas may provide you with the quality of life you want or the possibility of experiencing things you always wanted. The same applies to your child or children relocating with you. Relocation of your minor child to Tokyo, Japan If you are single and do not have any minor children, then moving around the world would not be too complicated. All you need to do is ensure that you have the necessary travel documentation and travel ticket (and spending money), and off you go. However, if you want to travel with your minor children (for example, ages five or six) or relocate to another country, things may not be that simple. Firstly, if there is another parent, and he or she has parental responsibilities and rights, then his or her consent is required. For example, let us say you live in Germiston or Pinetown, South Africa, and you want to relocate to Tokyo, Japan, you would require the other parent’s consent to leave South Africa with your minor child. This can cause challenges, especially if the staying parent (in South Africa) does not agree to the relocation. What about Passport Consent to travel or relocate to Tokyo, Japan? The same applies when it comes to your minor child applying for a South African passport to relocate to Japan, or any country. Both parents who have parental responsibilities and rights of guardianship will have to consent to the minor child’s passport application as well. In this regard, both parents have to be at the Department of Home Affairs (or the relevant bank that also assists with passport application) when making the Application with the minor child. This can be challenging if you have a disinterested parent who does not want to cooperate with the passport application. As you will see later, legal action would need to be taken. What are the steps to follow when I want to relocate to Tokyo, Japan with my minor child? There is there another parent. To simplify the process for relocation, the first step would be to receive the other parent’s consent in principle for the relocation and that he or she will co-operate in this regard. Once that has been resolved, the parent relocating would need to make the appointment for the minor child’s passport application as well as the application for the relevant VISA. Each country has different requirements; however, seeing that it is a relocation, you need to apply for the correct VISA. For that, you need the Passport. Once the visa and travel arrangements have been finalised, the parent remaining behind will sign a parental consent letter for the international travel. That letter can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website. Basically, the parent remaining behind would state that he or she gives consent for the minor child to leave the Republic of South Africa and travel and/or relocate to Tokyo, Japan. What can I do if the other parent does not want to consent to the minor child’s relocation to Tokyo, Japan? If the parent remaining in South Africa does not want to consent to the minor child’s passport application and/or his or her relocation to Tokyo, Japan, then you would need to approach the Court. The Court, as upper guardian of the minor child, may order that the parent’s consent for the passport application and relocation be dispensed with. What this entails is submitting Court documents explaining why you want to relocate to Tokyo, Japan. The other parent would also have an opportunity to give reasons why he or she objects. At the end of the process, the Court would determine what is in the minor child’s best interests. If it is in the minor child’s best interests to relocate to Tokyo, Japan, the Court would make it possible despite the issue of consent or refusal. What is the first step I should take if the other parent does not want to consent to the minor child’s passport application and/or relocation to Tokyo, Japan? If the other parent does not want to consent to the passport application and/or the relocation of the minor child to Tokyo, Japan – in that case, we suggest you approach an attorney or advocate (trust account) to assist you with the legal process. He or she would then contact the other parent explaining the reasons for the relocation and request the necessary consent. If the parent remaining in South Africa does still not agree to the passport application and/or to the relocation to Tokyo, Japan, then the attorney or advocate will proceed to take the matter to court. The legal route can be expensive. However, it is necessary to make the relocation of the minor child possible. You may also attend to the legal process yourself. Getting legal assistance or help with your relocation application to Tokyo, Japan If you require legal assistance or representation with relocating to Tokyo, Japan due to the other parent not cooperating or providing consent, then feel free to contact us for assistance. The Firm Advocate, Muhammad Abduroaf, deals with these types of matters.

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20 Relocation with my minor child to Japan, Tokyo (Consent and Refusal) – Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf
The world is becoming a much smaller place, and technology plays a huge role. People are moving across the world for employment, love and happiness, something that was not the norm a few decades ago. There is no reason why you should remain in South Africa if you can find a better life for yourself and your family overseas. Moving overseas may provide you with the quality of life you want or the possibility of experiencing things you always wanted. The same applies to your child or children relocating with you.
Relocation of your minor child to Tokyo, Japan
If you are single and do not have any minor children, then moving around the world would not be too complicated. All you need to do is ensure that you have the necessary travel documentation and travel ticket (and spending money), and off you go. However, if you want to travel with your minor children (for example, ages five or six) or relocate to another country, things may not be that simple. Firstly, if there is another parent, and he or she has parental responsibilities and rights, then his or her consent is required. For example, let us say you live in Germiston or Pinetown, South Africa, and you want to relocate to Tokyo, Japan, you would require the other parent’s consent to leave South Africa with your minor child. This can cause challenges, especially if the staying parent (in South Africa) does not agree to the relocation.
What about Passport Consent to travel or relocate to Tokyo, Japan?
The same applies when it comes to your minor child applying for a South African passport to relocate to Japan, or any country. Both parents who have parental responsibilities and rights of guardianship will have to consent to the minor child’s passport application as well. In this regard, both parents have to be at the Department of Home Affairs (or the relevant bank that also assists with passport application) when making the Application with the minor child. This can be challenging if you have a disinterested parent who does not want to cooperate with the passport application. As you will see later, legal action would need to be taken.
What are the steps to follow when I want to relocate to Tokyo, Japan with my minor child? There is there another parent.
To simplify the process for relocation, the first step would be to receive the other parent’s consent in principle for the relocation and that he or she will co-operate in this regard. Once that has been resolved, the parent relocating would need to make the appointment for the minor child’s passport application as well as the application for the relevant VISA. Each country has different requirements; however, seeing that it is a relocation, you need to apply for the correct VISA. For that, you need the Passport.
Once the visa and travel arrangements have been finalised, the parent remaining behind will sign a parental consent letter for the international travel. That letter can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website. Basically, the parent remaining behind would state that he or she gives consent for the minor child to leave the Republic of South Africa and travel and/or relocate to Tokyo, Japan.
What can I do if the other parent does not want to consent to the minor child’s relocation to Tokyo, Japan?
If the parent remaining in South Africa does not want to consent to the minor child’s passport application and/or his or her relocation to Tokyo, Japan, then you would need to approach the Court. The Court, as upper guardian of the minor child, may order that the parent’s consent for the passport application and relocation be dispensed with. What this entails is submitting Court documents explaining why you want to relocate to Tokyo, Japan. The other parent would also have an opportunity to give reasons why he or she objects.
At the end of the process, the Court would determine what is in the minor child’s best interests. If it is in the minor child’s best interests to relocate to Tokyo, Japan, the Court would make it possible despite the issue of consent or refusal.
What is the first step I should take if the other parent does not want to consent to the minor child’s passport application and/or relocation to Tokyo, Japan?
If the other parent does not want to consent to the passport application and/or the relocation of the minor child to Tokyo, Japan – in that case, we suggest you approach an attorney or advocate (trust account) to assist you with the legal process. He or she would then contact the other parent explaining the reasons for the relocation and request the necessary consent. If the parent remaining in South Africa does still not agree to the passport application and/or to the relocation to Tokyo, Japan, then the attorney or advocate will proceed to take the matter to court. The legal route can be expensive. However, it is necessary to make the relocation of the minor child possible. You may also attend to the legal process yourself.
Getting legal assistance or help with your relocation application to Tokyo, Japan
If you require legal assistance or representation with relocating to Tokyo, Japan due to the other parent not cooperating or providing consent, then feel free to contact us for assistance. The Firm Advocate, Muhammad Abduroaf, deals with these types of matters.

Related Post

[caption id="attachment_10833" align="alignnone" width="674"]Relocation consent Court Order for minor child to Norway - Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf Relocation consent Court Order for minor child to Norway – Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf[/caption]  

I want to relocate from South Africa to Norway with my minor child. The other parent does not want my child to relocate to Norway. What can I do?

Norway is a popular destination to emigrate to. People emigrate from South Africa for many reasons. It ranges from better employment opportunities, family relations, or for a better standard of living. Whatever the reason a parent wants to relocate to Norway, if a minor child will be joining that parent and also relocating to Norway, then the parent remaining in South Africa’s consent would usually be required. Let us unpack the legal issues a parent may encounter when wanting to emigrate to Norway. Before we do so, let us list the various cities and towns in Norway to which you may want to relocate: Ålesund, Arendal, Bærum, Bergen, Fana, Bodø, Drammen, Fredrikstad, Halden, Hamar, Hammerfest, Haugesund, Kabelvåg, Kristiansand, Kristiansund, Lillehammer, Molde, Moss, Narvik, Oslo, Porsgrunn, Ringsaker, Sandefjord, Sandnes, Skien, Stavanger, Steinkjer, Svolvær, Tønsberg, Tromsø, Trondheim, Vadsø. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/list-of-cities-and-towns-in-Norway-2050561)  

Why do I require the other parent’s Consent to relocate to Norway?

According to South African law, if you are a co-holder of parental responsibilities and rights over your minor child, you must consent to your child leaving South Africa. In this case, relocating to Norway. Here we refer to section 18 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. The entire provision is as follows: 18 Parental responsibilities and rights  (1) A person may have either full or specific parental responsibilities and rights in respect of a child.  (2) The parental responsibilities and rights that a person may have in respect of a child, include the responsibility and the right-  (a) to care for the child;  (b) to maintain contact with the child;  (c) to act as guardian of the child; and  (d) to contribute to the maintenance of the child.  (3) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), a parent or other person who acts as guardian of a child must-  (a) administer and safeguard the child’s property and property interests;  (b) assist or represent the child in administrative, contractual and other legal matters; or  (c) give or refuse any consent required by law in respect of the child, including-  (i) consent to the child’s marriage;  (ii) consent to the child’s adoption;  (iii) consent to the child’s departure or removal from the Republic;  (iv) consent to the child’s application for a passport; and  (v) consent to the alienation or encumbrance of any immovable property of the child.  (4) Whenever more than one person has guardianship of a child, each one of them is competent, subject to subsection (5), any other law or any order of a competent court to the contrary, to exercise independently and without the Consent of the other any right or responsibility arising from such guardianship. (5) Unless a competent court orders otherwise, the Consent of all the persons that have guardianship of a child is necessary in respect of matters set out in subsection (3)(c). Now let us explain what Parental Responsibilities and Rights are.

What are Parental Responsibilities and Rights of a parent in relation to a child?

As can be seen from section 18(2) of the Children’s Act, when we refer to Parental Responsibilities and Rights, we refer to the following: (a) to care for the child;  (b) to maintain contact with the child;  (c) to act as guardian of the child; and  (d) to contribute to the maintenance of the child. Therefore, if a parent has parental responsibilities and rights over a minor child, and accordingly, rights of guardianship, their Consent is required when it comes to issues of guardianship. As seen from section 18(3)(c) of the Children’s Act above, both parents’ Consent is required should a minor child depart from the Republic of South Africa. In this case, to emigrate to Norway. Even if the minor child only wants to go for a short holiday to Norway, both guardians’ Consent would be required.

When would the other parent be seen as a guardian in the case of a relocation matter to Norway?

It must be noted that not all parents are legal guardians over their minor children. We should therefore distinguish between married or divorced parents and parents who were never married. As you would see below, usually married, or divorced parents’ Consent would be required for a minor child to relocate or emigrate to Norway. However, that does not automatically apply to parents who were never married. This could be because the child could have been born from a brief encounter and never met his or her father. It would not make sense that a parent who never met his or her 15-year-old child, should give Consent for relocation to Norway.

Mother’s Consent for relocation of the minor child to Norway

Section 19 of the Children’s Act deals with the Parental responsibilities and rights of mothers. It states the following: 19 Parental responsibilities and rights of mothers  (1) The biological mother of a child, whether married or unmarried, has full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child.  (2) If-  (a) the biological mother of a child is an unmarried child who does not have guardianship in respect of the child; and  (b) the biological father of the child does not have guardianship in respect of the child, the guardian of the child’s biological mother is also the guardian of the child.  (3) This section does not apply in respect of a child who is the subject of a surrogacy agreement. As seen from section 19(1) of the Children’s Act, in most cases involving the relocation of a minor child to Norway, the mother’s Consent is required as she has full parental responsibilities and rights over the minor child.

Married father’s Consent for the relocation of the minor child to Norway

Section 20 of the Children’s Act deals with Parental responsibilities and rights of married fathers. It states the following: 20 Parental responsibilities and rights of married fathers The biological father of a child has full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child- (a) if he is married to the child’s mother; or (b) if he was married to the child’s mother at (i) the time of the child’s conception; (ii) the time of the child’s birth; or (iii) any time between the child’s conception and birth. As can be seen from sections 20 (a) and (b) of the Children’s Act, if the father and the mother were married, or are married, then his Consent is required for the minor child to relocate to Norway. Of course, an exception to this would be should a court of law order otherwise. This would be the case should the parents be divorced and the divorce court ordered that only the mother may act as guardian. Next, we deal with the issue of an unmarried father’s Consent to relocate a minor child to Norway.

Consent of unmarried fathers for the relocation of their minor children to Norway.

Section 21 of the Children’s Act deals with parental responsibilities and rights of unmarried fathers. The section states the following: 21 Parental responsibilities and rights of unmarried fathers  (1) The biological father of a child who does not have parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child in terms of section 20, acquires full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child-  (a) if at the time of the child’s birth he is living with the mother in a permanent life-partnership; or  (b) if he, regardless of whether he has lived or is living with the mother-  (i) consents to be identified or successfully applies in terms of section 26 to be identified as the child’s father or pays damages in terms of customary law;  (ii) contributes or has attempted in good faith to contribute to the child’s upbringing for a reasonable period; and  (iii) contributes or has attempted in good faith to contribute towards expenses in connection with the maintenance of the child for a reasonable period.  (2) This section does not affect the duty of a father to contribute towards the maintenance of the child.  (3) (a) If there is a dispute between the biological father referred to in subsection (1) and the biological mother of a child with regard to the fulfilment by that father of the conditions set out in subsection (1) (a) or (b), the matter must be referred for mediation to a family advocate, social worker, social service professional or other suitably qualified person.  (b) Any party to the mediation may have the outcome  of the mediation reviewed by a court.  (4) This section applies regardless of whether the child was born before or after the commencement of this Act. As can be seen from the latter sections, a father of a child born out of wedlock does not automatically have parental responsibilities and rights over his minor child. He may however acquire those parental responsibilities and rights over his minor child if he is materially involved in the child’s life. That would be where the father and the mother were in a permanent life partnership when the child was born or he is meaningfully involved in the child’s life, as outlined above. We shall not go into much detail regarding that. However, in most cases, if the father had regular contact with the child and paid child support, he would have acquired parental responsibilities and rights over the minor child.

What do you do if the other parent does not want to consent to the minor child relocating to Norway?

Suppose the other parent also has parental responsibilities and rights over the minor child, and he or she does not want to consent to the relocation of the minor child to Norway, then in such a case, the Court needs to be approached. Here I refer you back to section 18(5) of the Children’s Act referred to above where it states: (5) Unless a competent court orders otherwise, the Consent of all the persons that have guardianship of a child is necessary in respect of matters set out in subsection (3)(c). Therefore, after your Court Application has been launched an both sides have been heard, the Court would make the necessary Order. If you are successful in your application for the relocation of your minor children to Norway, then the Court will make an Order similar to that which is shown below. [caption id="attachment_10832" align="alignnone" width="638"]Relocation consent Court Order for minor child to Norway - Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf Relocation consent Court Order for minor child to Norway – Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf[/caption] [caption id="attachment_10833" align="alignnone" width="643"]Relocation consent Court Order for minor child to Norway - Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf Relocation consent Court Order for minor child to Norway – Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf[/caption]

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Types of domestic violence

It is a sad state of affairs to find that woman and children are the most vulnerable targets when it comes to domestic violence and abuse. How do we put an end to this vicious cycle? There have specific laws that have been implemented for protection against such vile acts. Unfortunately, many victims are too ashamed and fearful of taking the steps to protect themselves against domestic violence and abuse. [caption id="attachment_4416" align="alignleft" width="300"] Call our law offices on: 0211110090                         Email: [email protected][/caption] Often, we mistake domestic violence as only physical and this is not the case. Below are some brief examples of the different types of domestic violence and abuse:
  • Control
  • Physical
  • Emotional and Domination
  • Verbal Abuse
  • Economic Abuse
  • Physiological Abuse
Do you think you fall into one of these categories? Then it’s time you approach your family legal expert and find out how you can protect yourself and your children. Call our law offices on 021 424 3487 for an online appointment for a professional legal consultation today.

What causes domestic violence?

There are many reason why people find themselves in abusive homes and relationships. The need to control the other party is often caused by a low –esteem, inferior complexes, personal beliefs, jealousy and so forth. [caption id="attachment_4418" align="alignleft" width="300"] Call our law offices on: 0211110090                       Email: [email protected][/caption] During our years of dealing with domestic violence, we have found each circumstance to be unique within their own and found in some cases that traditional beliefs also factors in. Some people may believe that woman aren’t equal to men coupled with their own stereotypical ideas. For some helpful information on domestic violence, simply click on the links below: We are conveniently situated at The Pinnacle, corner of Strand and Burg Street in the CBD, Cape Town, South Africa. Make use of our online appointment system which is efficient and stress free. Call our offices for an online appointment today. How does the Domestic Violence Act protect citizens? The Domestic Violence Act 116 or 1198, was introduced to afford woman the right to protect themselves by which they can enforce their rights legally if they fear for their life. The Act highlights that domestic violence is a serious offense and should be taken serious. [caption id="attachment_4419" align="alignleft" width="300"] Call our law offices on: 0211110090                           Email: [email protected][/caption] Victims of domestic violence, woman and children that is, can now stand up for themselves by virtue of a protection order or restraining order. Perpetrators can also face imprisonment as the Act recognizes domestic violence is a serious crime. Arrange for an online appointment for a professional legal consultation today and have the legal expert explain to you in context how your legal rights can be executed. Connect with us today!    
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