In South Africa, there are three types of birth certificates. The abridged version (computer print-out) can be obtained immediately, but the vault version may take up to 6 months to produce.
- Vault copies of birth certificates are original birth certificates filled out by the parents
- The unabridged birth certificate gives the person’s full name, date and place of birth as well as the mother’s full name and maiden name and the father’s full name (if mentioned).
- It is now possible to obtain an abridged birth certificate which is a computerized version of a birth record that contains the person’s full name at birth as well as their birth date and place. Neither the maiden name nor the father’s name is given.
As the official custodian of birth records in South Africa, the Department of Home Affairs holds birth registers for more than 50 years ago in The National Archives. Our ancestors did not always follow the local rules and regulations set by the local government at the time. In addition, the official registration of births varies in every province. Consequently, not all births were registered.
Where Can I Find Birth Records in South Africa?
As mentioned before, the DHA is the only place where you can find birth records in South Africa. If you need to apply for a copy of your birth certificate, you need to submit the following documents at the nearest DHA:
- Completed BI-154 form
- Your ID or certified copies of it
- R75 application fee
You also need to have a lot of time and patience because anything to do with the DHA can be a challenge. Another option is to use a document agent like DocAssist.
In South Africa, there are only two ways to obtain a new unabridged birth certificate. You can go straight to the Department of Home Affairs, fill out the necessary paperwork, pay a fee of R75 and wait up to six months. Alternatively, an agent, such as Doc Assist, can apply for you. While the cost might be higher, you will have a greater level of control over the timeline.