Organization : Department of Home Affairs
Head Quarters: Gauteng
Facility : Registering a birth
Website : https://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/civic-services/birth-certificates
DHA Register a Birth
** Home Affairs will cease the process of the Late Registration of Births by 31 December 2015.
** You must register the birth of your child within 30 days after birth.
Related / Similar Service :
DHA Applying for a South African Visa
DHA Copy of Unabridged Birth Certificate
** Late registrations are accepted. You must, however, give reasons why the birth was not registered within 30 days.
** Once the child’s birth has been registered, an abridged birth certificate is issued for free.
How to register a birth Certificates?
Unabridged 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 an unabridged birth certificate you must :
** 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
** pay the required fee for the application
** Undocumented Foreign Nationals who are born in South Africa are issued with a certificate free of charge on registration of their births.
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.
Types of Registration
** 31 Days up to One Year
** One Year up to Seven Years
** 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 a 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 a 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
FAQ On DHA Birth Certificate
Frequently Asked Questions FAQ On DHA Birth Certificate
Who is eligible to apply for a birth certificate?
Anyone born in South Africa is eligible to apply for a birth certificate from the DHA.
How can I apply for a birth certificate?
You can apply for a birth certificate by visiting your nearest DHA office and completing an application form. You will need to provide your full names, date of birth, place of birth, and the full names and identity number of your parents.
How long does it take to process a birth certificate application?
It typically takes up to eight weeks to process a birth certificate application, although it may take longer if there are delays or if the application is incomplete.
Is there a fee for a birth certificate?
Yes, there is a fee for a birth certificate. The fee varies depending on whether you are applying in person or online, and whether you need the certificate urgently.
Additional Simplified Procedure
Here are the steps on how to register a birth certificate online in South Africa:
1. Go to the Department of Home Affairs website: https://www.gov.za/services/birth/register-birth.
2. Click on the “Register Birth Online” link.
3. Create an account or log in to your existing account.
4. Select the country where the birth took place.
5. Enter the child’s personal details, such as their name, date of birth, and place of birth.
6. Enter the parents’ personal details, such as their names, ID numbers, and marital status.
7. Upload the required documents, such as the birth certificate issued by the hospital, the marriage certificate of the parents, and the ID cards of the parents.
8. Pay the registration fee.
9. Submit the application.
The Department of Home Affairs will process your application and send you a confirmation email once the birth certificate has been registered.
Here are the documents that you need to register a birth certificate online in South Africa:
** The birth certificate issued by the hospital.
** The marriage certificate of the parents, if applicable.
** The ID cards of the parents.
You can also register a birth certificate online if you are a South African citizen living overseas.
In this case, you will need to provide the following documents:
** A copy of your South African passport.
** A copy of your foreign passport.
** A copy of your visa or residence permit.
** The birth certificate of the child.
The registration fee for a birth certificate in South Africa is ZAR 100. You can pay the registration fee online using a credit card or a debit card. The processing time for a birth certificate registration online is 10 working days. Once the birth certificate has been registered, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to download the birth certificate.
View Comments (1)
where do I get the Form BI-154 to apply for an unabridged birth certificate for my child who has to be registered for High school in 2022?