{"id":610,"date":"2025-02-14T09:48:33","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T09:48:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dirco.gov.za\/berne\/?page_id=610"},"modified":"2025-11-06T12:50:33","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T12:50:33","slug":"renunciation-of-south-african-citizenship","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dirco.gov.za\/berne\/renunciation-of-south-african-citizenship\/","title":{"rendered":"Renunciation of South African Citizenship"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

RENUNCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENSHIP<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The Citizenship legislation, effected on 6 October <\/strong>1995 <\/strong>{Act 88 of <\/strong>1995) <\/strong>provides for South African citizens to apply to voluntarily renounce their South African Citizenship.<\/strong><\/p>

To be eligible applicants must have already obtained the citizenship of another country because with effect of the renunciation, the person cannot become a stateless person.<\/p>

South African citizens who have voluntarily obtained the citizenship of another country after<\/strong> their eighteenth (18th) birthday, without applying and receiving permission to retain their South African citizenship prior <\/strong>to when they obtained their other citizenship, have automatically lost their South African Citizenship from the date they obtained the citizenship of the other country. Such persons consequently need not apply for renunciation. They may apply for a confirmation of their South African status i.e.<\/p>

DETERMINATION OF SA CITIZENSHIP<\/p>

Minor children under the age of 18 and whose birth is registered in RSA cannot renounce their citizenship as they are still minor, they can do so only after the age of 18years and above or if only both the parents are renouncing their citizenship. They can be added to the parents’ applications.<\/h5>

Forms and requirements are on the webpage under Services: Determination of Citizenship.<\/p>

Requirements for your application<\/h3>
  1. Form<\/strong> B1-246<\/a>:<\/strong> Download 2x forms Bl-246 (per applicant) and complete them fully in black ink (Please do not photocopy them, both the forms must be originals). If your children under 18 years old are not registered as SA citizens then please do not include them in your form, if they are SA citizens, then, you can include them and you must submit their SA unabridged birth certificate, SA passport and proof of their foreign citizenship certificate.<\/li><\/ol>
    1. Form:<\/strong> D<\/strong>HA-<\/strong><\/a>529,<\/strong> to be completed in BLACK INK and BLOCK LETTERS in BLACK INK and BLOCK LETTERS (FULLY COMPLETED means<\/strong> all<\/strong> questions<\/strong> of<\/strong> the<\/strong> two<\/strong> forms<\/strong> must<\/strong> be <\/strong> Please do not answer “N\/ A”, it is not an answer to any of the questions.
      1. Part A: questions 9, 10 and 11 are mostly important for the N.B. <\/u><\/strong>number <\/u>10(d) <\/u>must also be answered, with circling a No or a Yes.<\/u><\/strong><\/li><\/ol><\/li><\/ol>

        Yes, <\/u><\/strong>if <\/u><\/strong>you applied for a Retention previous<\/u><\/strong>l<\/u><\/strong>y then attach your Retention copy.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>

        1. Part B: <\/strong>The relevant status can be written next to the words Marital Status on the form (e.g., Never married\/ Married\/ Divorced\/Widowed). The details of the applicant’s current or former spouse must then be completed on the DHA-529<\/a> whether deceased or divorced or widowed)<\/li>
        2. Part C and D: <\/strong>Must both be completed in full, with the details of the parents of the applicant including their ID numbers.<\/li><\/ol>
          1. Part E: <\/strong>Ensure that form DHA-529 is Valid telephone\/mobile number, email address (in block letters) and physical address must be provided.<\/li><\/ol>
            1. Form<\/strong> SVP<\/strong> –<\/strong> 109E<\/strong> (For citizens born in Namibian)<\/li><\/ol>
              1. Current passport<\/li><\/ol>

                5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Your ID document\/ID card<\/p>

                1. Birth Certificate<\/li>
                2. Proof as to how and when (date) you acquired the foreign nationality. Such as your naturalization\/Registration document (your Birth registration certificate issued by the Embassy in SA if you have on you.<\/li><\/ol>

                  If the document is in foreign language, then, you must get it officially translated in English. If you do not have any of the above documents, then please contact the authorities and request a letter stating the date and means<\/u> <\/strong>of you acquiring the citizenship\/nationality.<\/p>

                  1. Your marriage certificate\/Divorce Decree. If your marriage certificate\/divorce decree is issued outside SA must have a legalized\/apostille stamp.\u00a0<\/li><\/ol>
                    1. Letter of retention of your South African Citizenship (if foreign citizenship was acquired as a major of age and after 6 October 1995)<\/li>
                    2. Letter of exemption (if foreign citizenship was acquired as a major of age and before 6 October 1995)<\/li>
                    3. Proof of South African citizenship e. South African naturalization certificate and South African immigration permit (if you are not<\/u> <\/strong>a South African citizen by birth\/descent).<\/li>
                    4. Signed motivation letter confirming why you wish to renounce your South African citizenship.<\/li><\/ol>

                      MINOR CHILDREN (UNDER 18 YEARS)<\/strong><\/p>

                      You can renounce South African citizenship for Minor children under the age of 18 only if they are born in South Africa or their foreign birth is registered with the Department of Home Affairs and only when one of the SA parents are renouncing their SA citizenship.<\/h4>
                      1. Prescribed forms: <\/strong>BI-246<\/a> section 11 on parent{s) <\/strong>forms must be completed fully in BLACK INK and BLOCK LETTERS in BLACK INK and BLOCK LETTERS<\/li><\/ol>
                        1. Forms:<\/strong> DHA 529<\/a>, to be completed in BLACK INK and BLOCK LETTERS in BLACK INK and BLOCK LETTERS<\/li>
                        2. Certified copies x 2 of the following supporting documents<\/strong><\/li>
                        3. Current passport<\/li>
                        4. Unabridged birth certificate<\/li>
                        5. Proof of foreign citizenship, confirming how and when foreign citizenship was obtained (issued by the foreign government).<\/li><\/ol>
                          1. Proof of South African citizenship e. South African naturalization certificate and South African Immigration permit (if the children are not<\/u><\/strong> a South African citizen by birth\/descent)<\/li>
                          2. The responsible parents must sign the forms on behalf of a minor child accompanied by signed consent letter from both the<\/li>
                          3. If divorced, documentary proof of sole<\/u><\/strong> custody<\/u><\/strong> and control and guardianship of child\/children.<\/li><\/ol>

                            The normal processing time is 12 to 18 months.<\/p>

                            Once it is processed the letter will be posted in the pre-paid self-addressed envelope provided by applicant<\/strong>. The letter\/certificate should be carefully preserved. You should be able to present to Home Affairs in future whenever requested.<\/h4>

                            Once your application is successfully lodged, do not contact the office until the turnaround time of 12 months has passed.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

                            \n\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t

                            Services<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t
                            \t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBirth Registration and first passport for child<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFirst ID and First Adult Passport <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRe-Issue of ID Document<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmergency Travel Document<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRegistration of Marriage <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRegistration of Divorce<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRegistration of Death<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tApplication for Birth Certificate<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tApplication Marriage Certificate<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tApplication Death Certificate<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDetermination of South African Citizenship<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCertificate of No-Impediment<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRetention of South African Citizenship<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRenunciation of South African Citizenship<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAmendment of Personal Particulars<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t

                            Media Centre<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t
                            \n\t\t\t\t\t
                            \n
                            \n
                            \"\"<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n \n
                            \n \n
                            \n \n

                            \n \n Flying the flag high at the Swiss Biotech Day 2026 <\/a>\n <\/h4>\n
                            \n \n
                            <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/header>\n \n
                            \n
                            \n \n
                            \n
                            \n \n
                            \n \n
                            \n \n

                            \n \n The Embassy of South Africa in Bern welcomed the visit to Switzerland by the Members of Parliament from the Select Committee on Social Services. <\/a>\n <\/h4>\n
                            \n \n
                            <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/header>\n \n
                            \n
                            \n \n
                            \n
                            \n \n
                            \n \n
                            \n \n

                            \n \n Press Conference Remarks by His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa during the State Visit to Switzerland, Bern, Switzerland, 29 October 2025 <\/a>\n <\/h4>\n
                            \n \n
                            <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/header>\n \n
                            \n
                            \n \n