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.
Children born out of wedlock now have the same rights as children born to married couples
The case below was successfully argued by Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf. Because of this case, a mother can now claim child maintenance from paternal grandparents of children born out of wedlock. The case can be found on the link: https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Pay-support-its-legit-20031112 . It is also copied below. “‘Pay support – it’s legit’
2003-11-13 08:29Willemien BrummerCape Town – Children born out of wedlock now have the same rights as children born to married couples, under a ground-breaking High Court ruling made in Cape Town on Wednesday.
Judge Lester Fourie overturned a 1930 court ruling that stated only maternal grandparents of illegitimate children could be held responsible for their upkeep. Mother’s of children born out of wedlock could until now only claim from their own parents for maintenance. Now the paternal grandparent’s of an illegitimate child can also be held responsible for their upkeep. The ruling came after Jade Lee Petersen from Muizenberg approached the Simon’s Town maintenance court for maintenance for her 10-month-old son, Jordan. Jordan’s father, Faghmie Abrahams, claimed he could only afford R200 maintenance per month. Petersen wanted R1 000 per month. She requested that Jordan’s grandparents on his father’s side be ordered to cover the balance. When Petersen was informed that the law did not allow this, she took her case to the High Court. After the ruling, Petersen’s advocate, Muhammad Abduroaf, said the case was not just a victory for Petersen but that it was also a victory for other mothers in her position.” https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Pay-support-its-legit-20031112 We are certain that you found the above article useful and interesting. Please consider sharing it on the share buttons below. They include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Gmail and more. Someone may find it useful as well. Should you require business advice or services, feel free to click on these links: Business SA | Private Legal | Envirolaws
“‘Pay support – it’s legit’
2003-11-13 08:29Willemien Brummer
Cape Town – Children born out of wedlock now have the same rights as children born to married couples, under a ground-breaking High Court ruling made in Cape Town on Wednesday.
Judge Lester Fourie overturned a 1930 court ruling that stated only maternal grandparents of illegitimate children could be held responsible for their upkeep. Mother’s of children born out of wedlock could until now only claim from their own parents for maintenance. Now the paternal grandparent’s of an illegitimate child can also be held responsible for their upkeep. The ruling came after Jade Lee Petersen from Muizenberg approached the Simon’s Town maintenance court for maintenance for her 10-month-old son, Jordan. Jordan’s father, Faghmie Abrahams, claimed he could only afford R200 maintenance per month. Petersen wanted R1 000 per month. She requested that Jordan’s grandparents on his father’s side be ordered to cover the balance. When Petersen was informed that the law did not allow this, she took her case to the High Court. After the ruling, Petersen’s advocate, Muhammad Abduroaf, said the case was not just a victory for Petersen but that it was also a victory for other mothers in her position.” https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Pay-support-its-legit-20031112 We are certain that you found the above article useful and interesting. Please consider sharing it on the share buttons below. They include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Gmail and more. Someone may find it useful as well. Should you require business advice or services, feel free to click on these links: Business SA | Private Legal | Envirolaws