Do I need authorization for crossing of the state border of a minor citizen of BiH?
Article 8 Paragraph (2) of the Law on Travel Documents (“Official Gazette of BiH", No. 4/97, 1/99, 9/99, 27/00, 32/00, 19/01, 47/04 , 53/07, 15/08, 33/08, 39/08 and 60/13) foresees that the passport bearer – citizen of BiH, under the age of 14, i.e. a person of non-working age, can travel abroad accompanied by one or both parents, or by a legal representative, i.e. a guardian.
The passport bearer - citizen of BiH, under the age of 14, must have consent of either parents, or a legal representative, i.e. a guardian, certified by the competent authority, when travelling accompanied by another person.
According to the valid Law on Travel Documents of BiH, for minors, i.e. persons of non-working age, a request for issuance of passport is submitted by one of the parents, with consent of the other parent, or other legal representative.
Exceptionally, passports are issued in the following cases:
- a) If one of the parents is registered as a missing person,
- b) If residence of one of the parents is unknown,
- c) If one of the parents is not available for the authority competent for passport issuance,
- d) If one of the parents was assigned guardianship by a court decision, unless the same decision demands consent of both parents for passport issuance and travel of the child.
Therefore, there is no legal obligation to have a written consent of the other parent, when travelling abroad, i.e. there are no obstacles for the passport bearer – citizen of BiH, under the age of 14, to travel with one of the parents or a legal representative, i.e. a guardian.
Written consent could be required during control conducted by the authorities of the destination country, or transit country, therefore we recommend checking with diplomatic and consular representations of those countries, before the actual travelling.