There are two types of birth certificates in South Africa, Abridged and Unabridged. When you register a birth at the Department of Home Affairs, you will receive an abridged birth certificate for free. If you want to apply for an unabridged birth certificate, you will have to pay R75 per copy. But, how do Abridged and Unabridged Birth Certificates differ?

Abridged Birth Certificate

An abridged South African birth certificate is a computer printout (with no names of parents). You could have it attested or legalized, but make sure it will be accepted outside of South Africa. 

 

Unabridged Birth Certificate

Birth certificates that are unabridged (also known as full birth certificates) contain information about the applicants’ parents. All details are recorded on the unabridged certificate acquired by Home Affairs from the archives.

 

Despite removing the word “Unabridged” from the top, the document is still unabridged as long as it lists both parents’ names. Unabridged birth certificates are computer-generated prints that can be apostilled or legalized. You might need these for travelling abroad with a minor, visa applications or emigration purposes. 

What Is a Full Birth Certificate South Africa? 

As mentioned before, a full birth certificate is the same as an unabridged birth certificate where the parents’ full names are included on the document. Unabridged birth certificates are required for South African children under 18 that will be travelling abroad.

 

How Do I Apply for an Unabridged Birth Certificate?

You can apply directly through the Department of Home Affairs. But, we have to be honest, it’s no walk in the park. You will have to wait in line for hours, and once the application is submitted, it can take up to six months for your unabridged birth certificate to be ready.

 

There is an easier and faster way — using a document agent like DocAssist. We can take care of the entire process for you, or if you’ve already applied and waited (not so patiently), we can expedite the process for you. 

 

Doc Assist strives to make applying for DHA legal documents as painless as possible. You can expect shorter waiting times as a result, which makes it easier to plan your schedule. In South Africa or abroad, we can assist you in securing the documents you need. For more information or to request a quote, get in touch with DocAssist today. 

 

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