Eligibility quiz
Were you adopted by someone who is a citizen of South Africa?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
South African passport
Every South African citizen has the right to a South African passport for international travel.
An adult passport is valid for 10 years, and a child’s for 5 years.
Passports cannot be extended, so holders must apply for a new one when theirs expires.
Live in South Africa for life
South African citizens have the right to enter, stay and live anywhere in South Africa.
Citizenship does not expire or need to be renewed or converted into permanent residence.
Study in South Africa
South African citizens can study in South Africa without an immigration visa or study permit.
The usual rules for schools and universities still apply.
Work in South Africa
South African citizens can work in South Africa without an immigration visa or work permit.
The usual rules for particular jobs and professions still apply.
Sponsor your immediate family
In South Africa, your immediate family members may receive a temporary relative’s visa if they meet the requirements.
You normally need to show you can support each person with R8,500 per month, except where the sponsor is a dependent child.
The visa is issued for a prescribed period of up to 24 months at a time and does not itself allow the holder to work.
A spouse’s permit ends if the relationship ends.
Get help abroad
South African citizens can receive consular help abroad, including advice and emergency humanitarian or practical help.
A South African mission can help in a crisis, with hospital or death communications, and with replacing a lost, stolen, damaged or expired South African passport or identity document.
Help is generally not financial and does not guarantee evacuation, payment of debts or legal representation.
Vote in elections
South African citizens can vote from age 18 in national and provincial elections if they register and meet the election rules.
Citizens abroad can vote in a national election at an accredited South African mission, but not in provincial or municipal elections.
Voting abroad requires registration, the required South African identity document and completion of the election procedures.
Use public healthcare
Everyone in South Africa has a right to access healthcare, and no one may be refused emergency medical treatment.
Access depends on available resources and does not guarantee free services in every case.
Access social support
Everyone in South Africa has rights to access sufficient food and water and social security, including suitable help if they cannot support themselves and their dependants.
These rights depend on available resources.
Citizenship alone does not guarantee a payment: social grants have separate eligibility and financial tests.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find a Home Affairs office
Find a Home Affairs office where you or your adoptive parent can submit the adoption-recording request.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which South African Home Affairs office near your city handles citizenship by descent and adoption recording?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the Home Affairs office.
See required documentsArrange the adoption
If the adoption has not yet been dealt with under the Children’s Act, your adoptive parent can approach Social Development to arrange it and obtain an adoption order.
Find adoption helpSearches DuckDuckGo for “How does an adoptive parent arrange an adoption through South African Social Development for citizenship by descent?”
Fill in the form
If the adoption still needs to be recorded in the birth register, ask your adoptive parent to complete form BI-193 and prepare a written request to record it.
Find form guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How does an adoptive parent complete South Africa form BI-193 to record an adoption for citizenship by descent?”
Book an appointment
Book an appointment with Home Affairs if the service is available through its booking system. Check with your chosen office if you cannot book that service online.
Find appointment bookingSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a South African Home Affairs appointment for citizenship by descent and adoption recording?”
Hand in the request
If the adoption still needs to be recorded, your adoptive parent should bring the completed form, written request and required documents to a Home Affairs office. Pay the adoption-recording fee at the office.
Find submission guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How does an adoptive parent submit an adoption recording request at South African Home Affairs for citizenship by descent?”
Fill in birth forms
If your birth has not yet been registered in South Africa, complete the notice of birth, DHA-24, and the citizenship form, DHA-529, for the birth-registration request.
Find form guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I complete South Africa birth registration forms DHA-24 and DHA-529 for citizenship by descent?”
Register your birth
If your birth is not yet registered in South Africa, submit the completed birth-registration forms and required documents to Home Affairs.
Find registration guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a birth registration to South African Home Affairs for citizenship by descent?”
Attend any interview
Attend an interview or other verification if Home Affairs asks you to as part of registering your birth.
Find interview guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at a South African birth registration interview for citizenship by descent?”
Wait for birth registration
If you submitted a birth-registration request, wait for Home Affairs to process it and respond to any requests for more information. Once your adoption and birth are recorded, you can apply separately for a South African passport.
Find processing guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does South African birth registration for citizenship by descent take?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Parent's citizenship records
Provide proof that your adoptive parent is a South African citizen. This can be their South African citizenship, identity or birth record showing their citizenship.
Birth certificates *
Provide your full birth certificate, showing both parents where applicable. If Home Affairs asks for an acknowledgement of paternity, include that too.
* Only if you were born outside South Africa and need to register your birth.
Adoption documents *
Provide a certified copy of your South African adoption order. If you were adopted outside South Africa, provide your adoption certificate or certificate of conformity to the Department of Social Development so the adoption can be registered.
* Only if your adoption still needs to be recorded.
May need apostille/legalisationMarriage certificates *
Provide your parents’ marriage certificate. Check with the office handling your birth registration about the copies it needs.
* Only if your parent married and you need to register your birth outside South Africa.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Citizenship can be lost
Citizenship can end if a person formally gives it up, or can be taken away in cases including fraudulent acquisition.
A person with another citizenship can lose South African citizenship by serving in another country’s armed forces while that country is at war with South Africa.
In certain circumstances, a child born outside South Africa may be affected if their responsible parent loses South African citizenship.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Visas and permits sa
English Facebook group for people living in South Africa interested in South African visas
Join on FacebookSouth African Visa and Immigration Forum
English Facebook group for people living in South Africa interested in South African visas
Join on FacebookSouth Africa Visa & Permit Forum
English Facebook group for people living in South Africa interested in South African visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
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