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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 South African citizenship if I was born here to foreign national parents but left before I turned 16?

Generally you can only apply for citizenship through naturalisation if you've only lived in South Africa until you were 18, but you could ask Home Affairs for an exception.

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I’m a foreign national with a child out of wedlock with a South African. My name isn’t on the birth certificate, how can I add it and change the child’s surname to mine?

You can apply to change the child's surname and add your name on their birth certificate at Home Affairs, with the mother's consent.

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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?

You could ask your uncle to make a sworn affidavit explaining the situation with your parents and that he raised you.

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My child lives in another province with his father. Will I need to travel there in order to help him get his ID?

Home Affairs will probably accept just the father's ID, as long as they take a copy of your ID and letter of your permission.

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How long will Home Affairs take to verify my partner's asylum paper so we can get married?

We recommend you contact the Refugee Social Services for assistance.

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My partner is almost 30 and is without a birth certificate. He is struggling to access his deceased's mother's documents. Please help.

He can try gathering his own school or hospital records and seek help from legal organisations.

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I was raised by my South African father without an ID or birth certificate due to my mother being undocumented. What can I do?

Even without all the documents, you have the right to apply for Late Registration of Birth. If Home Affairs refuses or delays, you can seek legal help.

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How can we help a child get a birth certificate if the mother refuses to assist and he needs to attend a special school?

You could ask if the social workers are able to apply for a birth certificate for the child if the mother is unable or unwilling to do it.

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I was abandoned by my parents, and don't have an ID or proof of birth documents. How can I apply for an ID on my own?

If your birth was registered, you can get a copy of your birth certificate from Home Affairs. If not, you will need to apply through the Late Registration of Birth process.

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Can I apply for a print of my sister’s birth certificate using my ID?

Yes you can. Home Affairs will recognise that you have a right to represent your sister in the absence of any parent or guardian.

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