Many years ago, the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa launched an Alive Status Verification service to allow South African citizens to check their status online. This service was launched due to the increase in fraudulent registrations of deaths in the country. South Africans could use this service to ensure that they have not been declared dead (whether by mistake or through fraudulent activity) on the population register. Needless to say, the Alive Status Verification service is no longer operational. Over the years, the DHA has launched many track and trace services, but none of these is still operational, that is if they ever were. 

How Do I Look Up a Deceased Person?

The question remains, how do I look up a deceased person? You could go directly to the nearest DHA office and wait in line, or you could let DocAssist help. 

There are many reasons why you may need help with looking up a deceased person. Perhaps you wish to confirm your status or that of a loved one that’s passed on, to check that no one is using their identity fraudulently. You might also need abridged or unabridged birth certificates for visa applications or emigration purposes. Whatever the reason, you have two options: face DHA on your own, or get help from an experienced document agent. 

It might cost less to do it yourself, but you will have to take time off from work – first to apply, and then to go and pick up your document. And we don’t have to tell you just how challenging it can be to work with the DHA, it’s common knowledge. If you use an agent like Doc Assist, you won’t have to lift a finger. You simply give us the details, and we’ll apply for the document on your behalf. 

If you’ve already applied at a DHA branch in your area, but you’ve been waiting far too long, we can assist by expediting your application. This process can take as little as one week for an abridged certificate and three weeks for an unabridged certificate. (An unabridged death certificate shows the full details of the person and cause of death).

It is a computer printout, and the document can be legalised and apostilled.

It simply isn’t worth the time, effort and frustration to apply for legal documents at the Department of Home Affairs without the help of an agent. For more information about how we can help you check your status or to request legal documents such as birth, marriage and death certificates, get in touch with the team at Doc Assist today.