My parents abandoned me as a baby. Can my uncle who raised me help me submit something to Home Affairs so I can apply for an ID?

The long answer

Is your father’s brother still alive? If so, you could ask him to make a sworn affidavit explaining the situation with your parents and testifying that he brought you up. He should also say in the affidavit that he does not know where your mother is. If he is no longer alive, perhaps there is another family member of your uncle’s that knows your circumstances and could help to make the sworn affidavit? You would need to make a certified copy of the ID of the person who helps with the affidavit or accompanies you to Home Affairs.

If there is no family member who could help, you could make the sworn affidavit yourself explaining that you were brought up by your father’s brother after being abandoned by your parents at eight months, and that you do not know where your mother is. You would need to give your uncle’s full name and address and if possible, a certified copy of his ID, or his death certificate, if he is no longer alive.

You would need to bring your birth certificate and proof of residence like a utility bill or an affidavit confirming your address. I am assuming that you have a birth certificate, which you need to get your ID. If you don’t have a birth certificate, you would have to apply for Late Registration of Birth (LRB) which is a much longer and more difficult process.

If Home Affairs continues to say that you need someone from your mother’s side to be present, remember to make a note of the name of the official who spoke to you, which Home Affairs office it was, and the date. You could then ask one of the following organisations which have a lot of experience with Home Affairs to help you: 

• The Black Sash

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

Tel (national office): 021 686 6952

Helpline: 072 66 33 73, 072 633 3739 or 063 610 1865

• Lawyers for Human Rights

Email: [email protected]

Tel: Musina 015 534 2203

Durban: 031 301 0531

Pretoria: 012 320 2943

Johannesburg: 011 339 1960

Cape Town: 021 424 8561

• Legal Resources Centre

Email: [email protected]

Johannesburg: 011 836 9831

Cape Town: 021 481 3000

Durban: 031 301 7572

Wishing you the best,
Athalie