Answers to your questions
Have a question you would like answered? Email us and we may answer it. The questions here are based on ones from our readers, with identifying information removed.
Please note: GroundUp is just a news agency. We are not lawyers or financial advisors, and we have nothing to do with SASSA, Home Affairs, or any other government bodies. We do our best to make the answers accurate using publicly available information, but we cannot accept any legal liability if there are errors. If you notice any discrepancies, please email [email protected].
Topic: Home Affairs | Show questions and answers for all topics
Can I apply for citizenship if I wasn't born in here and only one parent is South African?
Yes, but you need to get a South African birth certificate first.
Is there a way I can change my personal information on my matric certificate?
It should not be necessary to change the personal information on your matric certificate, but you can apply for the certificate to be verified through Umalusi.
Can I get permanent residency if my child is a South African citizen?
No, but you can apply for a relative’s visa.
Can I get Home Affairs to make my ID interview sooner if it's urgent?
Your best bet is probably to ask an organisation that frequently deals with Home Affairs to help you.
How can I get a death certificate for my parent so that I can apply for my ID?
You can apply for a replacement copy or a full death certificate at any Home Affairs office.
How can I get an ID for my child when Home Affairs says they need his Malawian mother’s details too?
Only one parent's ID is required to apply for an ID, according to Home Affairs' website, so you may want to get legal help.
How can I take custody of my 16-year-old son and change his surname to mine?
Both of these issues can be resolved through mediation to reach an agreement or parenting plan, which can then be made an order of court.
What happens to my visa if I, a non-citizen, divorce from my permanent resident spouse?
The Director-General of Home Affairs can issue an order that will allow a foreign ex-spouse who applies for a visitor’s or relative’s visa to stay in the country.
How can I get a South African ID so that I can further my studies?
If either of your parents has permanent residency in South Africa, you would qualify to apply for permanent residence too. Then after five years, you could apply for citizenship by naturalisation.
Should I wait for the spousal permit to be extended before informing Home Affairs that we are divorced?
The court ordered that a foreign ex-spouse should be allowed to live and work in the country to discharge parental duties.