Citizenship

How to correct errors that appear in an Identity Document

If you have applied for an ID book and when you receive your ID book there are errors in the personal information contained within, the Department of Home Affairs will replace your ID book free of charge.

To apply to correct information in your ID book, simply submit the following to any office of the Department of Home Affairs:

  1. Forms BI-9 and BI-309 completed with the correct information – these are obtainable at the Department of Home Affairs.
  2. Proof of the error that shows the correct information e.g. birth certificate.
  3. Two identical colour photographs (NOT needed at smartcard offices as ID images are captured digitally).

Re-issuing of an ID book

You can apply to have your ID book re-issued in the following instances:

  • If you are married and want to assume the surname of your spouse.
    You must submit a copy of your marriage certificate, a completed application Form BI-9 and a pay the required fee.
  • If you are a woman 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. a birth certificate, a marriage certificate, etc) along with a completed Form BI-9. You will also be required to pay a fee for the re-issue.
  • If your ID book has been lost, stolen or damaged.

You can apply for a replacement by:

  1. Completing Form BI-9 as well if you have not previously submitted your fingerprints.
  2. Attaching additional documents as required (e.g. a marriage certificate if you are married).
  3. Paying the required fee for the re-issue.

In the event you lose, damage or have your ID book stolen, you may request a Temporary Identification Certificate (TIC).
This can be done at any office of the Department of Home Affairs and is subject to the verification of your fingerprints.

Registration of birth

     1. Registering a birth*

All children born in South Africa must be registered within 30 days of their birth (in terms of the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1992).

A parent, parents, guardian or any other person legally responsible for the child must complete Form BI-24(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, usually a day or so after the registration application has been submitted.

Undocumented Foreign Nationals who are born in South Africa are issued with a certificate free of charge on registration of their births

2. Getting copies of birth certificates

Birth certificates are issued upon request to persons who are:

South African citizens, whether in the Republic or outside the Republic, including persons who are not South African citizens but who sojourn permanently or temporarily in the Republic, for whatever purpose.

If you need additional copies of a birth certificate you must:

a.Complete Form BI–154 and submit it 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.

b.Pay the required fee for the application.

3. 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, usually a day or so after the registration application
has been submitted.

4. 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 abridged birth certificate is issued free of charge, usually a day or so after the registration application has been submitted.

* Information from the Department of Home Affairs

Late registration of a birth

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:

  1. 31 Days up to One Year
  2. One Year up to Seven Years
  3. Seven Years and Above

1. 31 Days up to One Year

Apply at designated offices with the following requirements: 

  • DHA 24/LRB (notice of birth)
  • Children born at health facilities: DHA 24/PB (Proof of birth)
  • Children born at home: DHA 24PBA (Proof of Birth Affidavit)
  • DHA 288 /A (Affidavit giving reasons for LRB)
  • Biometrics (palm, foot or fingerprint) of the child to be registered
  • Fingerprints of parent/s
  • ID/Passport of parent/s

2. One Year up to Seven Years

Apply at designated offices with the following requirements:

  • DHA 24/LRB (notice of birth)
  • Children born at health facilities: DHA 24/PB (Proof of birth)
  • Children born at home: DHA 24PBA (Proof of Birth Affidavit)
  • DHA 288/A (Affidavit giving reasons for LRB)
  • DHA 288
  • Biometrics (palm, foot or fingerprint) of the child to be registered
  • Fingerprints of parent/s
  • ID/Passport of parent/s

3. Seven Years and Above

Apply at designated offices with the following requirements: 

  • DHA 24/LRB (notice of birth)
  • Children born at health facilities: DHA 24/PB (Proof of birth)
  • Children born at home: DHA 24PBA (Proof of Birth Affidavit)
  • DHA 288/A (Affidavit giving reasons for LRB)
  • DHA 288
  • Biometrics (ID-size photo and fingerprint) of the person to be registered
  • Fingerprints of parent/s
  • ID/Passport of parent/s
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