Civic Services

Home Civic Services

Citizen (or civic) services refers to the services provided to South African citizens by the Department of Home Affairs.

All civic applications are forwarded to the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa for processing and this therefore has an impact on turnaround time for applications. Civic applications are forwarded by the 10th of every month.

Application forms for Civic Applications can be obtained at the South African Embassy at time of application. All forms must be completed in BLOCK letters and in black ink.

Payment for civic applications is done at the Embassy at time of application and payment is due in Argentine Pesos and is subject to change without notice.

All non-South African public documents (i.e. birth; marriage; death certificates; divorce decree; court orders, etc.) must be authenticated by means of an apostille by the issuing authority and officially translated into English by a sworn translator, with further legalization at the Board of Translators at the expense of the applicant.

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TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Please note that the issuance of Temporary Passports was discontinued effective 01 September 2014.

1) Ordinary Passport Applications

Ordinary South African Passports are issued by the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa to applicants who are 16 years and older. Ordinary Passports are valid for 10 years and is not renewable. South African citizens may apply for a passport if the current passport is about to expire, is almost full, has been damaged, lost or stolen or if the applicant’s forename and or surname has been amended. When the passport expires an application for the issuance of a new passport must be submitted.

An Ordinary Tourist Passport contains 32 pages but frequent travelers can opt to get a maxi tourist passport with 48 pages.

General information about South African citizenship is available on the website of the Department of Home Affairs

Passport applications for applicants aged 16 and older & Maxi Passport Applications

Requirements:

  • DHA-73: Passport Application form (completed in black ink)
  • DHA-9: Full set of fingerprints form (completed in black ink)
  • DHA-529: Determination of Citizenship (completed in black ink)
  • Current passport
  • South African Identity Document or Birth Certificate
    • Four (4) passport size photos (4cm X 4cm)
    • Please click herefor passport photo requirements.
    • Applicants submitting photos that do not meet these requirements run the risk of the application being rejected by the Department of Home Affairs.
  • Payment of prescribed fee – Ordinary Passports: AR$542.00; Maxi Passports: AR$813.00

Additional documentation to be submitted if applicable:

  • Marriage / Civil Partnership certificate. To be submitted by married applicants irrespective of whether you will change your surname or not.
  • Copy of divorce decree
  • Written request to change surname. To be submitted by married applicants who would like to:
    • retain their maiden surnames; or
    • wish to use double-barrel surnames
  • Holders of foreign citizenship must provide proof of such citizenship by either:
    • A registration certificate or letter from the relevant authorities to confirm how and when citizenship was acquired;
    • Naturalization: Original copy of the naturalization certificate AND Letter of Retention of South African Citizenship
  • DHA-335: Report of Loss of Travel Document and Police report for lost or stolen passports (double tariff may apply)

2) Child passport applications for applicants under the age of 16

Child passports are issued to children who are fifteen years of age and below. Child passports are valid for five (5) years and is not renewable. When the passport expires an application for the issuance of a new passport must be submitted.

  • DHA-73: Passport Application form (consent of both parents required) (completed in black ink)
    • Minor born within wedlock, parents still married: Written consent by both parents,
    • Minor born within wedlock, parents divorced, no parent has sole guardianship: Written consent by both parents,
    • Minor born within wedlock, parents divorced, one parent has sole guardianship: Written consent by only the parent with sole guardianship. Judge’s order stating that he/she has the sole guardianship must be produced,
    • Minor born within wedlock, one parent deceased: Written consent by the surviving parent. Death certificate of the deceased parent must be produced,
    • Minor born within wedlock, both parents deceased: Written consent by legal guardian,
    • Minor born out of wedlock: Only the mother’s written consent is required, unless a competent court directs otherwise. The fact that the biological father has acknowledged paternity and/or that the child is registered under his surname, does not change the aforesaid. Only where a court has granted him joint custody will his consent be also be mandatory. Note: If the mother is a minor herself, her guardian must consent to the passport,
    • Minor in foster care under the provisions of the Child Care Act, 1983: The Minister of Welfare must consider such cases, and his consent must be on the Department of Welfare’s official letterhead,
    • Cases where the prescribed consent cannot be obtained: Regulation 3(3)(j)(ii): Excluding Category “g” cases, a Commissioner of Child Welfare may consider granting consent to the issuing of the passport. The relevant court ruling must accompany the application in such cases.
  • DHA-9: Full set of fingerprints form (completed in black ink)
  • DHA-529:Determination of Citizenship (completed in black ink)
  • Current passport (if applicable)
  • Original Birth Certificate of the child
  • Four (4) passport size photos (4cm X 4cm)
    • Please click here for passport photo requirements.
    • Applicants submitting photos that do not meet these requirements run the risk of the application being rejected by the Department of Home Affairs.
  • Payment of prescribed fee – AR$542.00

Additional documentation to be submitted if applicable:

  • In case of divorced parents, consent of both parents are required unless Sole Custody has been awarded to one parent in which case the court order to this effect must be submitted.
  • Marriage / Civil Partnership certificate of parents.
  • Divorce Decree
  • Death Certificate
  • Holders of foreign citizenship must provide proof of such citizenship by either:
    • A registration certificate or letter from the relevant authorities to confirm how and when citizenship was acquired;
    • Naturalization: Original copy of the naturalization certificate AND Letter of Retention of South African Citizenship
  • DHA-335: Report of Loss of Travel Document and Police report for lost or stolen passports (double tariff may apply)

3) Emergency Travel Certificates

The Department of Home Affairs has discontinued the issuance of Temporary Passports since 01 September 2014 as citizens travelling abroad are refused entry into a number of countries when travelling on Temporary Passports. Only an Emergency Travel Certificates (ETC) will be issued to an applicant under circumstances of emergency travel purposes (e.g. if passport is lost while abroad). ETCs are issued in a handwritten page form and is valid for a single travel to return to South Africa.

ETCs can only be issued to applicants travelling to foreign countries who accept ETCs on emergency cases. It is the responsibility of the applicant to confirm this with the relevant authorities of the country you intend visiting before applying for an ETC. The Embassy is not liable for countries refusing citizens entry on an ETC.

Requirements:

  • Formulario DHA-73: Passport Application form (completed in black ink)
  • Formulario DHA-9: Full set of fingerprints form (completed in black ink)
  • Formulario DHA-529: Determination of Citizenship (completed in black ink)
  • Proof of identification (if available)
  • Documento de Identidad sudafricano o Partida de nacimiento
  • Four (4) passport size photos (4cm X 4cm)
    • Please click herefor passport photo requirements.
    • Applicants submitting photos that do not meet these requirements run the risk of the application being rejected by the Department of Home Affairs.
  • DHA-335: Report of Loss of Travel Document and Police report for lost or stolen passports

Payment of prescribed fee – AR$190.00

IDENTITY DOCUMENT

An identity document is a legal form of identity when dealing with public and private institutions. Identity documents are issued to South African citizens or permanent residence permit holders who are 16 years or older.

You can apply for you ID book at any office of the Department of Home Affairs or any South African Mission / Consulate abroad. All applications are sent to the Department of Home Affairs head Office in Pretoria. There your fingerprints will be matched with those already on record or entered into the National Population Register. Your application will then be processed and once issued, your ID book will be forwarded to the office where you made your application to collect.

When applying at South African Missions / Consulates only the green barcoded identity book will be issued. Smart ID Cards are only issued to applicants within South Africa.

General information about South African identity documents is available on the website of the Department of Home Affairs:

Requirements for first time applications:

  • BI-9 Formcompleted in black ink (completed in black ink)
  • DHA-529 Form: Determination of Citizenship (completed in black ink)
  • Certified copy of birth certificate
  • Certified copy of passport/s
  • 2 X identical colour photographs
  • PFor applicants under the age of 18
    • written consent from both parents
    • certified copy of parents identity document / passport
    • and / or certified copy of marriage certificate; divorce decree; death certificate .

If you are a naturalised citizen or a permanent residence permit holder you must attach the following to your application form:

  • Certified copy of your naturalisation certificate
  • Certified copy of your permanent residency certificate
  • Certified copy of your exemption certificate
  • Form BI-1620
If the permanent residence permit or exemption certificate cannot be furnished, Form BI-829 must be completed for the issuing of a duplicate thereof. If the naturalization certificate cannot be furnished, you must apply for a duplicate prior to submitting the ID book application.

RE-ISSUING AN IDENTITY DOCUMENT

You can apply to have your ID book re-issued:

  • If you are married and want to assume the surname of your spouse. You must submit a copy of your marriage certificate.
  • If you are a women and want to apply for a new ID in the name of any of your previous surnames, then documentary proof showing you are entitled to use that surname must be provided (i.e. birth certificate, a marriage certificate, etc.).
  • EIf you ID book has been lost, stolen or damaged.
fingerprint form
  • DHA-9 fingerprint form
  • DHA-529 form: Determination of Citizenship (completed in black ink)
  • Certified copy of birth certificate / identity book
  • 2 X identical colour photographs
  • 2 X identical colour photographs
  • Applicants who wish to change their surname to that of their spouses or wish to retain their maiden name must submit the request in writing.
  • Payment of prescribed fee – AR$190.00

REGISTRATION OF BIRTH

In terms of the Birth and Death Registration Act, 1992 (Act No. 51 of 1992), any person born outside of the Republic of South Africa to a parent, who is a South African citizen at the time of his or her birth and whose birth is registered, shall be a South African citizen by descent.

According to the Births and Deaths Registration Act, all births must be registered within 30 Days of birth. If a child birth is not registered within 30 days, it is considered a late registration of birth.

Births reported after 30 days have additional requirements. These types of registration of births are divided into three main categories:

  • 31 Days up to One Year
  • One Year up to Seven Years
  • Seven Years and Above

General information about birth registration is available on the website of the Department of Home Affairs

1) Registration of birth within 30 days of birth

  • DHA-24 Form: Registration of birth
  • Original foreign birth certificate reflecting the full details of the parents
    • Birth certificate must be authenticated by means of an apostille by the issuing authority
    • Must be officially translated into English by a sworn translator if not in English
  • DHA-529 Form: Determination of Citizenship (in respect of the child being registered)
  • DHA-529 Form: Determination of Citizenship (in respect of the child’s South African parent(s)
  • Certified copy of parents passport and identity documents
  • Proof of citizenship if the child holds citizenship of another country and has already been registered
  • If parents are married, original marriage certificate of parents
    • Marriage certificate must be authenticated by means of an apostille by the issuing authority if not married in South Africa
    • Must be officially translated into English by a sworn translator if not in English

2) Registration of birth 31 days up to one year of age

  • DHA 24/LRB Form: Late registration of notice of birth
  • DHA 288 /A Form: Affidavit giving reasons for LRB
  • Biometrics (palm, foot or fingerprint) of the child to be registered
  • Fingerprints of parent/s
  • Original foreign birth certificate reflecting the full details of the parents
    • Birth certificate must be authenticated by means of an apostille by the issuing authority
    • Must be officially translated into English by a sworn translator if not in English
  • DHA-529 Form: Determination of Citizenship (in respect of the child being registered)
  • DHA-529 Form: Determination of Citizenship (in respect of the child’s South African parent(s))
  • Certified copy of parents passport and identity documents
  • Proof of citizenship if the child holds citizenship of another country and has already been registered
  • If parents are married, original marriage certificate of parents
    • Marriage certificate must be authenticated by means of an apostille by the issuing authority if not married in South Africa
    • Must be officially translated into English by a sworn translator if not in English

3) Registration of birth one year up to seven years of age

  • DHA 24/LRB Form: Late registration of notice of birth
  • DHA 288/A form: Affidavit giving reasons for LRB
  • DHA 288 Form
  • Biometrics (palm, foot or fingerprint) of the child to be registered
  • Fingerprints of parent/s
  • Original foreign birth certificate reflecting the full details of the parents
    • Birth certificate must be authenticated by means of an apostille by the issuing authority
    • Must be officially translated into English by a sworn translator if not in English
  • Formulario DHA-529: Determinación de ciudadanía (respecto del niño/a a ser registrado/a)
  • Formulario DHA-529: Determinación de ciudadanía (respecto del padre/madre sudafricano/a del niño/a)
  • DHA-529 Form: Determination of Citizenship (in respect of the child being registered)
  • DHA-529 Form: Determination of Citizenship (in respect of the child’s South African parent(s))
  • Certified copy of parents passport and identity documents
  • Proof of citizenship if the child holds citizenship of another country and has already been registered
  • If parents are married, original marriage certificate of parents
    • La partida de matrimonio debe estar autenticada con la Apostilla del Haya por las Autoridades Competentes de aquel país si el matrimonio no se celebró en Sudáfrica
    • Must be officially translated into English by a sworn translator if not in English

4) Registration of birth seven years and above

  • DHA 24/LRB Form: Late registration of notice of birth
  • DHA 288/A Form: Affidavit giving reasons for LRB
  • DHA 288 Form
  • Biometrics (ID-size photo and fingerprint) of the person to be registered
  • Fingerprints of parent/s
  • Original foreign birth certificate reflecting the full details of the parents
    • Birth certificate must be authenticated by means of an apostille by the issuing authority
    • Must be officially translated into English by a sworn translator if not in English
  • DHA-529 Form: Determination of Citizenship (in respect of the child being registered)
  • DHA-529 Form: Determination of Citizenship (in respect of the child’s South African parent(s))
  • Certified copy of parents passport and identity documents
  • Proof of citizenship if the child holds citizenship of another country and has already been registered
  • If parents are married, original marriage certificate of parents
    • Must be officially translated into English by a sworn translator if not in English
    • Must be officially translated into English by a sworn translator if not in English

CITIZENSHIP

The South African Citizenship Act, 1995 (Act No. 88 of 1995) was assent to and signed into an Act of Parliament on 28 September 1995 and came into operation on 06 October 1995.

Any person may claim South African Citizenship through the following:

  • Birth
    • Anyone who is born in or outside the Republic, and one of his / her parents, is at the time of his / her birth a South African citizen, shall be a South African citizen by birth.
  • Descent
    • Any child who was born by a non-South African and adopted by a South African citizen and the adoption is registered in South Africa in accordance with the Child Care Act 74 of 1983, will be registered as a South African Citizen by descent.
  • Naturalization
    • A person who applies for citizenship by naturalization must have been a permanent resident in South African for a continuous period of ten (10) years and is applied for only in South Africa.

As the Republic of South Africa allows dual citizenship, a person may have two passports, namely a RSA passport as well as the passport of another country. However, a South African who is a dual citizen is required to use a South African passport when he / she leaves and enters the Republic.

General information about South African citizenship is available on the website of the Department of Home Affairs

1) Retention of South African Citizenship

A South African citizen who intends to take up citizenship of another country MUST first apply for the retention of his / her citizenship to avoid the loss of South African citizenship. The application can be lodged either in South Africa at a DHA Regional Office or at South African Missions abroad./p>

A person who has lost their citizenship by virtue of failure to apply for the retention of RSA citizenship will have the right to permanent residency in South Africa – if he or she was born in RSA. Such a person will be allowed to apply for the resumption or reinstatement of citizenship while in South Africa. Approval for the resumption / reinstatement of RSA citizenship is granted on condition that such an applicant will live permanently in RSA once his / her application has been approved.

Requirements:

  • BI-1664 Form: Application for Retention of South African Citizenship (completed in black ink)
  • DHA-529 Form: Determination of Citizenship (completed in black ink)
  • Original South African Passport
  • Original South African Identity Document
  • Original Birth Certificate
  • Written confirmation from the relevant authorities of the country, whose citizenship the applicant intends to acquire, that the applicant has not yet acquired the citizenship of that country
    • Such document must be officially translated into English and certified by the Board of Translators (if applicable)
  • Proof of payment of the application fee
  • Payment is done at the Embassy at time of application and is in Argentine Pesos
Payment of prescribed fee – AR$407.00 All original documentation will be returned to the applicant once certified copies have been made

2) Renunciation of South African Citizenship

A South African Citizen who intends accepting the citizenship of another country or who has the citizenship or nationality of another country may apply to renounce his / her South African citizenship.

A South African citizen by birth or decent in respect of whom a declaration of renunciation is registered shall cease to be a South African citizen but will retain his /her right or permanent residence.

Requirements:

  • 2 X Original BI-246 Form – Application for the Renunciation of South African Citizenship (completed in black ink)
  • DHA-529 Form: Determination of Citizenship (completed in black ink)
  • Original South African Passport
  • Original South African Identity Document
  • Original birth certificate
  • In the case of an applicant who acquired South African Citizenship through naturalization: Original South African Naturalization Certificate
  • A signed declaration confirming that he / she wishes to proceed with the renunciation application
All original documentation will be returned to the applicant once certified copies have been made

3) Exemption from Loss of South African Citizenship

An application for exemption from loss of South African Citizenship in terms of section 26(4) of the South African Citizenship Act, 1995 (Act 88 of 1995) is made by all applicants who acquired foreign citizenship before October 05, 1995. Therefore, a person who, for example, acquired the citizenship of a foreign country on 1 December 1992 would have automatically lost his/ her South African citizenship in terms of Section 15(1)(a) of Act 44 of 1949; however, that person may apply for a retrospective exemption in terms of section 26(4) of the South African Citizenship Act, 1995 (Act 88 of 1995). Upon approval, the person will be deemed to have remained a South African citizen when he or she acquired foreign citizenship.

Requirements:

  • BI-1666 Form: Application for Exemption in Regard to the Loss of SA Citizenship (completed in black ink)
  • DHA-529 Form: Determination of Citizenship (completed in black ink)
  • Certified copy of biometric page of all passports (South African and Foreign)
  • Certified copy of South African Identity document if previously issued
  • Certified copy of South African birth certificate
  • Holders of foreign citizenship MUST provide proof of how they acquired such citizenship by either:
    • Registration: Provide your unabridged birth certificate reflecting the birth places of parent(s) or certificate of registration of birth. Under circumstances where even the parents acquired such citizenship through descent, a letter from the relevant authorities of the country concerned will suffice.
    • Naturalization: Provide your Naturalization certificate
  • Payment of prescribed fee – AR$407.00
All original documentation will be returned to the applicant once certified copies have been made

5) Registering the birth of a child born within wedlock

Children born within wedlock can be registered under the surname of the father and mother jointly, where both parents have given consent (subject to the signatures on the margin).

Form BI-24 must be completed (with black ink only) and it must be submitted to the nearest office of the Department of Home Affairs if you are in South Africa, or the nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate if you are overseas.

Once the child’s birth has been registered, an unabridged birth certificate is issued free of charge.

6) Registering the birth of a child born out of wedlock

Children born out of wedlock are registered under the surname of the mother. They may also be registered under the surname of their biological father provided that the father acknowledges paternity and both the father and the mother consent to the registration of the child under the father’s surname in the presence of a Home Affairs official.

Form BI-24 must be completed (with black ink only) and it must be submitted to the nearest office of the Department of Home Affairs if you are in South Africa, or the nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate if you are overseas.

Once the child’s birth has been registered, an unabridged birth certificate is issued free of charge.

UNABRIDGED CERTIFICATES

1) Birth Certificates

Applications for birth certificates can be made by any South African citizen or a foreigner who was born in South Africa and whose birth was duly registered in South Africa.  General information about birth certificates in South Africa is available on the website of the Department of Home Affairs

To ensure that applications of this nature are processed speedily, concerned efforts must be made by the applicants to ensure that the form is completed in full.

Requirements

  • BI-154 Application Form
  • DHA-529 Form: Determination of Citizenship
  • Original South African birth certificate
  • In respect of applicants who do not have a South African birth certificate or birth record:
    • DHA-24 Form: Registration of birth
  • Original South African passport and identity document
  • In respect of applicants with dual citizenship
  • Original foreign passport and identity document
  • Payment of prescribed fee – AR$102.00

2) Marriage Certificate

Unabridged marriage certificates are issued upon request to persons who were married in the Republic of South Africa and whose marriages were duly registered at the Department of Home Affairs. General information about marriages in South Africa is available on the website of the Department of Home Affairs

Requirements

  • BI-130 Application Form: Application for Marriage / Customary Certificate
  • Certified copies of identity documents / passports
  • Payment of prescribed fee: AR$102.00

3) Certificate of No Impediment

Certificate of no impediment is issued to South African citizens who intend to get married outside the country. The purpose of the certificate is to confirm to foreign authorities that there are no impediments to enter into a marriage be a citizen concerned. The impediment may include being married to another person at time you are about to get married to another person.

Requirements:

  • DHA-529 Form: Determination of Citizenship
  • A letter from the applicant requesting the issuance of a letter of non-impediment
  • The letter must be addressed to the Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs and must include:
    • The applicant’s full name and identity number
    • Contact details of applicant
    • Purpose of the letter i.e. to get married in Argentina
  • Payment of prescribed fee – AR$37.00

4) Death Certificate

La solicitud para al emisión de la partida de Defunción puede realizarse por el familiar más cercano del ciudadano sudafricano o ciudadano extranjero cuyo deceso haya sido registrado en Sudáfrica.

An application for the issuance of a death certificate can be made by the next of kin of South African citizens or foreigners whose death was registered in South Africa. General information about death certificates in South Africa is available on the website of the Department of Home Affairs

Requirements:

  • DHA-132 Application Form – Application for a death certificate
  • Certified copy of applicant’s identity document / passport
  • Certified copy of the deceased’s identity document / passport (if available)
  • Payment of prescribed fee – AR$102.00

PERSONAL AMENDMENTS

The Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1992 (Act No. 51 of 1992) read with the Identification Act, 1997 (Act No. 68 of 1997) provides for the rectification, amplification and amendment of the personal information of individuals as contained in the National Population Register of South Africa (NPR).

General information about amendments in South Africa is available on the website of the Department of Home Affairs

The aforesaid Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1992 provides for the following amendments:

1) Re-Registering a Child Born Out Of Wedlock

Section 11(1) of the Act makes provisions for the birth registration of a child born out of wedlock to be amended if the biological parents of that child marry each other after the registration of his / her birth.

Requirements:

  • DHA-24 Form – New notice of birth
  • Second DHA-24 Form as at the time of the registration of the child’s birth
  • DHA-59 Form – Affidavit by biological parents
  • Certified copy of marriage certificate
  • Birth certificate of the child
  • Certified copy of identity document / passport of parents
  • DHA-529 Form: Determination of Citizenship
  • Payment of prescribed fee – AR$95.00

2) Inserting the Biological Father’s Particulars in the Birth Register of a Child Born Out of Wedlock

Section 11(4) of the Act makes provision for the acknowledgement of paternity by the natural father of a child born out of wedlock and whose birth has already been registered without his particulars

Requirements:

  • DHA-1682 Form – To be completed by both parents if the mother consents to the acknowledgment
    • In terms of section 11(5), when the mother refuses to give consent, as long as the father can proof his paternity, he does not need consent of the mother
    • The father must submit a declaratory order from the high court which confirms his paternity and dispenses with the requirements of the consent of the mother
  • When the surname of the child needs to be changed to that of the father, the following forms to be completed
    • DHA-193
    • DHA-462
    • 2 X DHA-24
  • Birth certificate of the child
  • Certified copy of identity document / passport of parents
  • DHA-529 Form: Determination of Citizenship
  • Payment of prescribed fee – AR$95.00

3) Altering a Forename (Section 24 Of Births And Deaths Registration Act)

Section 24(1) of the Act makes provisions for the alteration of a person’s forename under which his / her birth was registered. A person of age, who has previously applied for and was granted a change of a forename, may not thereafter apply for a subsequent change of his / her forename, unless:

  • a) There are exceptional circumstances which must be clearly stated and attested to in the form of an affidavit, or
  • b) The forename was initially changed whilst he / she was still a minor

Requirements:

  • Applications must be on a duly completed Form DHA-85
  • Form DHA-24 - Nuevo registro de nacimiento
  • Form DHA-1688 and one ID photo for applicants who are 15 years and above
  • Birth certificate of the child
  • Certified copy of identity document / passport of parents
  • DHA-529: Determination of Citizenship
  • Payment of prescribed fee – AR$190.00

4) Altering the Surname of a Minor (Section 25 Of Births And Deaths Registration Act)

You can change the surname of a minor:

  • If a child is born out of wedlock and the mother marries a person other than the child's biological father and wishes to change the child’s surname to that of her husband.
  • If a mother, after her divorce from or the death of her husband (father of child), wishes to change the child's surname to her maiden surname or to another surname she bore legally; or if she has remarried, to the surname of her new husband.
  • If a child is born out of wedlock but registered under the biological father's surname and the mother wishes to change the child's surname to hers
  • If a minor is under the care of a guardian and the guardian wishes to change the child's surname to his/hers.
  • Other situations not mentioned above where a good and sufficient reason for the change exists.

Requirements:

  • Applications must be on a duly completed Form BI-193
  • The natural father's written consent, unless waived by a competent court, is a statutory requirement in the case where the child was born in wedlock.
  • The mother’s husband, whose surname the child is to assume, must also give his written consent to the assumption.
  • Both the natural parents’ written consent is required as well as a good and sufficient reason, in writing, for the change.
  • Birth certificate of the child
  • Certified copy of identity document / passport of parents
  • DHA-529: Determination of Citizenship
  • Payment of prescribed fee – AR$95.00

5) Assuming a Different Surname (Section 26 of Births and Deaths Registration Act)

A woman may assume her husband's surname, or revert to her maiden surname or a prior surname she legally bore, and since 1997 a woman may also join her surname with that of her husband's as a double-barreled surname.

No application to the Department of Home Affairs is necessary in these instances, but to enable the Department to update the Population Register, women should notify the Department of such changes in writing.

Apart from the aforesaid exclusions, no major may assume another surname unless such change of surname has been approved by the Director-General of Home Affairs and has been published in the Government Gazette. Applications in this regard may be lodged at any domestic Home Affairs office or any South African embassy, mission or consulate abroad.

Requirements:

  • Applications must be on a duly completed Form BI-196 
  • Good and sufficient reason, in writing, for the change must be furnished
  • Birth certificate
  • Certified copy of identity document / passport
  • DHA-529: Determination of Citizenship
  • Payment of prescribed fee – AR$95.00

6) Change of Sex

In terms of section 27(A) read with the provisions of the Alteration of Sex Description and Sex Status Act, 2003 (Act No.49 of 2003).

Any person whose sexual characteristics have been altered by surgical or medical treatment or by evolvement through natural development resulting in gender reassignment, or any person who is intersexed may apply to the Director – General of the National Department of Home Affairs for the alteration of the sex description on his or her birth register.

Requirements:

  • Applications must be on a duly completed Form DHA-526
  • DHA-24 Form – New notice of birth
  • DHA-1688 Form and one photograph
  • Birth certificate
  • Certified copy of identity document / passport
  • DHA-529 Form: Determination of Citizenship
  • A report by the medical practitioner who applied the procedure or medical treatment or by a medical practitioner who has experience in such procedures or treatments, and
  • A report by a second medical practitioner who has independently examined the application to establish his / her gender.
  • Application for alteration of forenames (if applicable) including prescribed fee AR$95.00
  • Payment of prescribed fee – AR$190.00

7) Rectifying the Date of Birth, Gender or Place of Birth in the Birth Register

Should any information contained within a document issued by the Department of Home Affairs be incorrect as a result of a departmental error, the error will be corrected free of charge.

However, if the mistake was on the part of the applicant, correction of the information will have to be applied for by completing Form BI-526 and the prescribed fee must be paid.  Submission of proof of the correct information is a prerequisite in such instances.

Tariffs

CIVIC AFFAIRS: POPULATION REGSITRATION APPLICATIONS

  • First issue of Identity Document
  • Re-issuing of Identity Document
  • First issue of unabridged birth certificate, abridged death or marriage certificate
  • Issuing of unabridged birth, death or marriage certificate
  • Application for any amendment to the birth register of any person
  • Application for any change of the forenames or surname of a minor(*)
  • Application for the changing of a major's forenames in the birth register (**)
  • Application by a major to assume a difference surname (***)
  • Issuing of a duplicate confirmation of the change of a major's forenames and / or surname
  • Letter of confirmation of marital status
  • AR$
  • AR$
  • AR$
  • AR$
  • AR$
  • AR$
  • AR$
  • AR$
  • AR$

  • AR$
  • Free
  • 1200,00
  • Free
  • 640,00
  • 600,00
  • 600,00
  • 1200,00
  • 2790,00
  • 600,00

  • 430,00

* (Sections 24 and 25 of Act 51 of 1992)

** (Section 24 of Act 51 of 1992). The insertion of a major's surname in the birth register, however, is free of charge if his identity document was issued with the forenames repeated as a surname. The subsequent re-issuing of such a person's identity document is also free of charge

*** (provided that, should the applicant be lawfully married, the amount also includes the application of his spouse as well as those of any minor children, or if the applicant is a divorced female or widow it also includes the applications of her minor children, if any) (Section 26 of Act 51 of 1992)

CIVIC AFFAIRS APPLICATIONS

  • Passport
  • Child Passport
  • Emergency Travel Cert (ETC).
  • MAXI Passport
  • Naturalization application and issue of original citizenship certificate
  • Issuing of duplicate citizenship certificate (*)
  • Resumption of SA citizenship in terms of Section 13 of Act 88 of 1995
  • Retention of South Africa citizenship, in terms of Section 6(2) of Act 88 of 1995.
  • Retrospective exemption in terms of Section 26(4) of the South African Citizenship Act, 1995, from the loss of South African citizenship.
  • Replacement of lost / damaged / stolen South African passport (***)
  • AR$
  • AR$
  • AR$
  • AR$
  • AR$
  • AR$
  • AR$
  • AR$
  • AR$

  • AR$
  • 10.310,00
  • 10.310,00
  • 1.200,00
  • 20.620,00
  • 2.580,00
  • 770,00
  • 2.580,00
  • 2.580,00
  • 2.580,00

  • DOBLE

* (including application for certificates issued in terms of section 16 of Act 88 of 1995) as well as confirmation (To whom it may concern)

** in terms of Section 26(4) of the South African Citizenship Act, 1995, from the loss of South African citizenship.

*** of lost / damaged / stolen South African passport, child passport or document for travel purposes referred to in Regulation 16 of the South African Passports and Travel Documents Regulations, 1996

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