Please Note: Foreign offices do not facilitate applications for Smart ID Card. If you have been issued with or applied for a Smart ID card, you cannot apply for an ID book at our offices.

 PRESCRIBED FORMS

• DHA 9 (the form is not available for downloading, it will be given to you on the day of appointment)
• DHA 529 (BI-529), to be completed in BLACK INK and BLOCK LETTERS
• Form SVP — 109E (For citizens born in Namibia and who are SA citizens)

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

1. Four passport-sized colored photographs with clear forehead (no fringe) and clear glasses (without frame).
2. South African passport (if an RSA citizen)
3. ID book or a copy (if one was previously issued)
4. South African unabridged birth certificate.
5. If you have dual nationality, please provide proof as to how and when you acquired the foreign nationality, such Naturalization /Registration Certificate or foreign birth certificate issued by the Embassy/ letter from the authorities stating the date you acquired the nationality. (Please note foreign passport is not a proof of foreign citizenship/nationality as it does not indicate as to when(date) and how you acquired the citizenship)  
6. Documents issued in foreign languages must be officially translated into English.
7. Letter of retention/exemption of your South African Citizenship if you acquired foreign citizenship as an adult (18″years and above)
8. Marriage certificate / Divorced Decree : Legalized/Apostille marriage certificate if married outside SA to be submitted by married applicants irrespective of they will or will not change their surname.
9. Copies of your husband’s/wife’s passport
10. If married/divorced from your husband signed letter confirming that you want your Identity Document to be issued in your married/maiden surname
11. Self Addressed registered envelope for the return of documents.

If you are married /divorced in Switzerland or outside SA, it is compulsory to register your marriage/divorce with the Department of Home Affairs.

Marriage certificate/Divorce Decree issued outside South Africa must have a legalized/apostil stamp (if country is a signatory to the Hague Convention).

On the day of your appointment, you must bring all the above required supporting documents plus copies of each document.

No cash payment is accepted at the Embassy.  Application fee is to be made by bank transfer or QR Code.  The information will be provided to you during your appointment.

If you do not comply with the requirements, you will not be assisted and therefore you will have to book a new appointment.

The average processing time is six months, and you will be notified by e-mail as soon as the ID document is received in our office.

The collection time is between 09:30 am to 12:00 pm Monday to Friday except for Public Holidays. (Closed)

The Address: South African High Embassy,

                         Alpenstrasse 29,

                          Bern 3006