Passports, check. IDs, check. Those are what we as adults would usually bring with us during our travels. But if you are traveling with a minor here in the Philippines, you may want to make sure that you have the necessary documents with you. If your baby or child does not have a passport yet, do bring the birth certificate. This is required as government agencies are trying hard to fight child trafficking in the country. If you are traveling abroad with a minor that is not your child, or if the minor is traveling alone, the Department of Social Welfare and Development requires aTravel Clearance. The only time that you wouldn't need a Travel Clearance is when you are the solo parent, legal guardian, or if minor's parents are in the Foreign Service or living abroad or are immigrants, provided he/she is holding a valid pass such as a dependents visa/pass/identification card or permanent resident visa/pass/identification card which serves as proof that he/she is living with parents abroad and their travel does not constitute child trafficking.
I personally don't bring original copies of my children's birth certificates, especially since they already have their passports. However, I do bring a copy of their birth certificates just in case.
