Applying for a birth certificate in South Africa | Western Cape Government

Applying for a birth certificate in South Africa

Description:

Mother holding babyThe new regulations under the Births and Deaths Amendment Act specify that all parents will be issued with unabridged birth certificates. This certificate specifies both parents’ details, including their ID numbers, full names, city of birth and citizenship. This measure is aimed at preventing incidences of fraud and human trafficking.

The new immigration law that came into effect on 1 June 2015 specifies that children younger than 18 years of age will need an unabridged birth certificate when they enter or leave the country.
Instructions:

Registering a birth

  • A parent, parents, guardian or any other person legally responsible for the child must complete Form BI-24 and must submit it to the nearest Department of Home Affairs office if in SA or the nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate if you’re overseas. Remember that your fingerprints will be used as part of the registration process.
  • The palm, foot or fingerprint of the child whose birth is being registered is required. Records will be archived.
  • Births reported after 30 days have additional requirements and you may need to pay a required fee for the application.

How to apply Registering your baby for a birth certificate.

Newborn babies will receive an unabridged certificate free of charge. However, if you want to apply for a new unabridged certificate, lost your birth certificate or you need additional copies, you must

  • complete Form BI-154
  • take your ID (if you take copies, they should be certified),
  • an application fee
  • take your child’s ID, if you’re applying with the abridged certificate

Submit all this documentation at your nearest Home Affairs office or the nearest South African mission, consulate or embassy if you’re overseas.

This process will take 6 – 8 weeks. 

If you're waiting on the unabridged birth certificate and need to travel, consider asking a Home Affairs office for a letter that provides the details of both parents. Your child will be able to travel when you receive this letter.

More information

Learn more about the amendments to the Births and Deaths Registration Amendment Act or contact Home Affairs customer care on 0800 601 190.
Provided At: These facility categories:
Provided by:
Government Body:
Department of Home Affairs (National)
(The Government of South Africa)
Related
The content on this page was last updated on 30 October 2020