Birth Certificate application (Unabridged)

 South African citizens residing in or near PERTH, SYDNEY and MELBOURNE are required to apply through their respective VFS Global Centres for: Passports, Identity Documents and Birth Certificates.

Please schedule appointments well in advance through the VFS Global Website: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/southafrica/australia/passport-services/index.html

VFS centres accept walk-in clients; however, waiting times may vary based on current capacity.

For more information, please contact https://services.vfsglobal.com/aus/en/zap/contact-us  

 

APPLYING AT THE SOUTH AFRICAN HIGH COMMISSION IN CANBERRA

ONLY FOR SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENS RESIDING IN AUSTRALIA (EXCEPT WESTERN AUSTRALIA, VICTORIA AND NEW SOUTH WALES) AS WELL AS PAPUA NEW GUINEA, SOLOMON ISLANDS, KIRIBATI, TUVALU, THE MARSHALL ISLANDS AND MICRONESIA

NOTE: Details on the application must be supplied according to the registration at birth and not of names assumed within the family. Where a name change has taken place in South Africa through the Department of Home Affairs, a copy of the approval letter or new amended certificate is required.

  • Birth Certificate Fee:Non-refundable fee of AUD 6.00 for each certificate.

Payment must be in Australian Dollars (AUD) made out to the “South African High Commission” by way of Postal Money Order or Bank Cheque. One bank cheque or Postal Money Order for the total amount / whole family is preferred.

Personal cheques or credit cards are NOT accepted. Incorrect payment will not be accepted; in case of incorrect payment the cheque or postal money order will be returned to applicant.

  • Return Postage posted in a self‑addressed, prepaid A4 envelope (only one envelope per family).with correct postage, or a self‑addressed Express Post envelope, and address to:
    The Consular Office, South African High Commission, State Circle, Yarralumla, Canberra 2600.
  • Please note that the South African authorities will only process those applications completed IN FULL DETAIL. Identity number or birth entry number must be supplied.
  • Copy(ies) of any previous birth certificate(s) issued should be included to facilitate the tracing and processing of the record.
  • Birth records date back only to the year 1901.
  • The tracing of original records in the register held by the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria is a time-consuming task with the result processing of applications are likely to take approximately 12 months or longer.
  • Due to the nature of these applications, the SAHC will not accept telephonic enquiries on the progress of applications, including applications via VFS.

Email enquiries can be sent to consular.canberra@dirco.gov.za, quoting your application information.

  • For advice on family research, you may contact the following genealogists:
  • Valda Napier
    PO Box 4882
    Randburg 2125
    Republic of South Africa
    +27(011) 787 7820
  • Knowledge Tec
    Private Bag X41
    Pretoria 0001
    Republic of South Africa