AUTHORIZATION FOR LEAVING PANAMA FOR A MINOR

From April 2018, the Authorization must be requested online via the Panama Immigration website: http://tramites.migracion.gob.pa/portal_migracion_digital/views/instructivo_permisos.php, click on the section “Migration online”, choose the request option, then access the permissions for minors and follow the instructions.

With the opportunity proposed by “Migration Online”, the only document to be presented to the Notary at the national level, will be the form or request printed, issued by the online system. It is necessary to specify that in the case the two (2) parents travel together with the minor, they need only his passports, the identity card juvenile or birth certificate.

The following documents must be submitted:

1.      Accompanied by one of his parents and the parent who does not travel is in Panama.

• Original or certified copy of birth certificate or juvenile ID certificate, (in a separate PDF document) (Panamanian Minor).
• Original or authenticated copy of the birth certificate, duly Apostilled (Hague Convention of October 5, 1961) or Legalized by the Embassy or Consulate of Panama in a single PDF document separately (In a separate PDF document) (Minor Resident).
• Valid passport of the companion, current passport of the minor traveling and identification cards of the minor’s parents (All these data in a single PDF document).

2.      Accompanied by a third person or alone and the tutor who does not travel has the authorization of the Family Court.

• Original or authenticated copy of the Authorization for leaving the country for a minor or judgment of the Family Court. If issued abroad, it must have the parameters of Legalization (Apostille of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961 or Legalized by the Embassy or Consulate of Panama).
• Original or certified copy of birth certificate or juvenile ID certificate, (in a separate PDF document) (Panamanian Minor).
• Original or authenticated copy of the birth certificate, duly Apostilled (Hague Convention of October 5, 1961) or Legalized by the Embassy or Consulate of Panama in a single PDF document separately (In a separate PDF document) (Minor Resident).
• Valid passport of the companion, current passport of the minor traveling and identification cards of the minor’s parents (All these data in a single PDF document).

3.      Accompanied by one of his parents and the other is abroad (in this case the use of the system is not required, must present what is requested in immigration controls).

• Original or authenticated copy of the Authorization for leaving the country for a minor, issued abroad, it must have the parameters of Legalization (Apostille of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961 or Legalized by the Embassy or Consulate of Panama).
• Original or certified copy of birth certificate or juvenile ID certificate, (in a separate PDF document) (Panamanian Minor).
• Original or authenticated copy of the birth certificate, duly Apostilled (Hague Convention of October 5, 1961) or Legalized by the Embassy or Consulate of Panama in a single PDF document separately (In a separate PDF document) (Minor Resident).

4.      Accompanied by one of his parents and one of them is deceased (in this case it is not required the use of this system, must provide what is requested in the immigration controls).

• Original or authenticated copy of the death certificate.
• Original or certified copy of birth certificate or juvenile ID certificate, (in a separate PDF document) (Panamanian Minor).
• Original or authenticated copy of the birth certificate, duly Apostilled (Hague Convention of October 5, 1961) or Legalized by the Embassy or Consulate of Panama in a single PDF document separately (In a separate PDF document) (Minor Resident).

5.      Accompanied by both parents (in this case does not require the use of this system, must provide what is requested in the immigration controls).

• Original or certified copy of birth certificate or juvenile ID certificate, (in a separate PDF document) (Panamanian Minor).
• Original or authenticated copy of the birth certificate, duly Apostilled (Hague Convention of October 5, 1961) or Legalized by the Embassy or Consulate of Panama in a single PDF document separately (In a separate PDF document) (Minor Resident).

Non-resident minors are excluded from these requirements. While the authorization letter is not mandatory for non-residents, preparing written consent form from parents or guardians is strongly recommended even when minors are traveling in groups, for purposes of school excursions, overseas training, or training programs organized by corporations or local governments.

The following documents must be submitted and signed in person by both parents at the Consulate General of Panama in Hong Kong for Legalization:

• Original of the Authorization
• Copy of birth certificate of the minor duly authenticated or Apostilled.
• Copy of the valid passport of the companion
• Copy of passport of the minor
• Copy and Original of the dentification cards of the minor’s parents

Authorization letter and all other documents with the exception of the passport and identification cards needs to be translated into Spanish.

You can also chose to have the authorization letter along with the required documents of identification be notarized by a Notary Public and then dully Apostilled (please contact Hong Kong Supreme Court or the Legal Affairs Directorate in Macau for further information).