Can I take my stepfather to Home Affairs to help me apply for my first ID?

The long answer

Thank you for your email asking if you can take your stepfather to Home Affairs to help you with your first-time ID application.
Yes, you can. The Latin phrase “in loco parentis” means “in the place of a parent”. A person who is in loco parentis is a person who has the same legal rights and responsibilities as your biological parent would have. To be in loco parentis, a person must be the partner or spouse of the child’s parent and must accept the child as their own. Your stepfather must bring a certified copy of his ID. He could bring a certified copy of your mother’s ID too, but you only need the certified ID of one of your parents for your ID application.

Wishing you the best,
Athalie