Process for obtaining letters and certificates from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) via express application

Birth Registration:

If you were born abroad to South African parents, you can apply for South African citizenship by descent through birth registration.

What You Need to Submit:

1. Form DHA 24, Notice of Birth

– The South African parent of the child must complete and sign Section F. If both parents are South African citizens, the father must sign this part.

– Note that DHA 24 is a barcoded form.

2. Form BI 529, Determination of Citizenship

– This form must be completed by both the applicant and the South African parent. If both parents are South African citizens, each parent must fill out the form.

3. Ensure you fully complete the BI-529/DHA-529 form. This helps locate records at the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria, so the information must be correct.

– Mark questions that do not apply as ‘n/a’ and those you do not know as ‘Do not know.’

– Pay special attention to questions 9, 10, and 11 in Part A.

4. Original or Notarized Documents:

– Child’s foreign birth certificate.

– Parent’s marriage certificate.

– Proof of South African citizenship for the South African parent, such as a birth certificate, identity document, or valid passport.

– A notarized letter from the non-South African parent or South African mother, confirming consent for the child’s birth registration in South Africa.

– A certified copy of the non-South African parent’s passport or government-issued ID.

Birth registrations are processed in South Africa and take about 14 to 30 working days. Once your application is finalized, you will receive an abridged birth certificate by mail. After that, you can apply for your passport and full birth certificate.

Children born abroad who have their births registered in South Africa can have dual citizenship automatically.

South African Full Birth Certificate

You can request a full birth certificate if you are a South African citizen and your birth is registered in South Africa. You may have obtained citizenship in one of the following ways:

– Born in South Africa to South African citizens (by birth or naturalization).

– Born to foreigners with valid permanent residence or work permits in South Africa.

– Born abroad to South African citizens.

A full birth certificate includes your parent’s details. Here’s what you need to do to apply for it:

1. Complete Form BI 154, Application for Birth Certificate. Make sure to use black ink.
2. Fill out Form BI-529/DHA-529 completely. This form helps the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria find your records, so ensure all information is correct. Mark any questions that don’t apply as ‘n/a,’ and if you don’t know an answer, write ‘Do not know.’
3. Pay extra attention to questions 9, 10, and 11 in Part A.

It takes about 14- 30 Working days to process the application for a full birth certificate in South Africa.

South African Death Certificate

You can get a Death Certificate for someone who died in South Africa by applying formally.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Fill out Form BI-132, called the Application for Death Certificate. Make sure to use black ink and sign it.
2. Death Certificates are issued in South Africa and take 14 to 30 working days to process.

Getting Married in South Africa

In South Africa, everyone getting married must follow the Marriage Act of 1961. This law applies to both South African citizens and foreigners when it comes to getting married.

Couples planning to get married should talk to the marriage officer who will conduct the ceremony. This ensures that they meet all the necessary rules.

Under South African law, you cannot marry if:

– You are already married. Your previous marriage can only end with death or a court decision.

– You are a minor. Minors need written permission from both parents or a guardian to marry.

– You do not have the mental capacity to marry. This applies to adults with mental disorders. However, if a person is deemed mentally sound at the time of marriage, they can legally marry.

There are also restrictions regarding family relationships. For example, you cannot marry a close relative.

Here is a checklist of documents you need to provide:

– Two valid forms of ID; one must include a photo.

– A notarized statement confirming there are no legal barriers to your marriage.

Note that there is no residency requirement for foreign nationals and no blood test requirement.

Divorce Decree

Final divorce decrees filed in South Africa cannot be requested from the Department of Home Affairs.

This must be obtained directly from the Court where the divorce was filed in South Africa.

Personal Amendment

In accordance with the provisions of the South African Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1992, a South African citizen may apply to amend his/her personal information in the Population Register by virtue of a formal application for personal amendment.

Application to Assume Another Surname

Checklist of Documents to be Submitted:

• Form BI-196 (majors), Form BI-193 (minors), Application to Assume Another Surname
• Form BI-795, Affidavit for the Insertion of a Surname (if registered without a surname or if adding a surname to an existing surname);
• Form BI 24, Notice of Birth, to indicate the surname to be assumed;
• Certified copy of Birth Certificate
• Certified copy of Statutory Declaration, Adoption Papers and Court Order or in the absence of these an affidavit motivating the necessity of the change of surname.

Application for Alteration of a Forename

Checklist of Documents to be Submitted:

• Form BI 85, Application for Alteration of Forename
• Form BI 24, Notice of Birth, to indicate the new forename
• Certified copy of Birth Certificate
• Copy of Statutory Declaration, Court Order or in the absence of these an affidavit motivating the necessity of the change of forename;

Application for Alteration of a Date of Birth

Checklist of Documents to be Submitted:

• Form BI 526E, Affidavit
• Form BI 24, Notice of Birth, to indicate the correct date of birth
• Certified copy of Birth Certificate
• Affidavit motivating the necessity/reasons for the change of date of birth;

All of the above application requires a processing period of 3 to 4 months as the amendment has to be published in the Government Gazette. Once the application is finalized, applicant will receive an abridged birth certificate to confirm the amended information.