The South African’s WhatsApp number – 060 011 0211 – is inundated with questions regarding the unabridged South African birth certificate. What is it exactly, when do you and/or your child require one and how do you apply for one in 2024? So, we consulted with the experts at SAVisas to bring you the best advice …
UNABRIDGED SOUTH AFRICAN BIRTH CERTIFICATE
Firstly, what’s the difference between an abridged and unabridged South African birth certificate? Well, abridged birth certificates indicate the name and surname of a child’s mother only. While an unabridged South African birth certificate shows all the necessary Home Affairs details. Including the identity document number, first name and surname, date of birth, place of birth, and country of birth if not only the minor.
Up until 2013, any South African-born child was issued with an abridged version only. After 2013, however, the unabridged South African birth certificate came into being and was the one automatically issued to citizens/residents. By 2015, however, this became contentious because a law change necessitated that all South African identify document applications required an unabridged version.
HOW TO APPLY FOR AND GET ONE
The vast majority of citizens don’t have an unabridged birth certificate and this requires an application through the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Under the new leadership of Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schrieber, the DHA wait time is supposedly coming down from six weeks. Nevertheless, what do you need and how you can apply most efficiently for one in 2024?
Firstly, find your nearest and most convenient Department of Home Affairs (DHA) branch HERE. Then, you will need the following documents:
- Download the forms you must complete for an unabridged South African birth certificate HERE.
- Copy of your valid ID document.
- Copy of your child’s abridged birth certificate plus your child’s ID number.
- R75 processing fee.
- Your documents must be originals, with certified copies submitted, too.
- Note that the application can take between five to six weeks to be processed.
If your child was born after the 14 March 2013, you should already be in possession of an unabridged South African birth certificate and therefore do not need to apply.
ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH HOME AFFAIRS?
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as immigration or legal advice. For detailed advice on individual cases, we recommend getting in touch with Lawyers for Human Rights. You can call their immigration hotline on 0800 079 614 or WhatsApp them on +27 817 168791.
