{"id":2749,"date":"2026-04-23T08:04:49","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T08:04:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dirco.gov.za\/canberra\/?page_id=2749"},"modified":"2026-04-23T09:58:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T09:58:20","slug":"south-african-birth-registration-and-birth-certificate","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dirco.gov.za\/canberra\/south-african-birth-registration-and-birth-certificate\/","title":{"rendered":"South African Birth Registration and Birth Certificate"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Birth Registration Application<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\u00a0<\/p>

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<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>

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

VFS centres accept walk-in clients; however, waiting times may vary based on current capacity.<\/p>

For more information, please contact https:\/\/services.vfsglobal.com\/aus\/en\/zap\/contact-us<\/a><\/p>

NB: VFS applicants through VFS in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth will have their fingerprints taken during their appointments. Please do not request the DHA-9 form from the High Commission if applying through VFS.<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/div>

APPLYING AT THE SOUTH AFRICAN HIGH COMMISSION IN CANBERRA<\/u><\/strong><\/p>

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<\/em><\/p>

General Information<\/u><\/strong><\/p>

This birth registration process applies to newborn children\u00a0AND<\/strong>\u00a0all other persons, irrespective of age.<\/p>

Birth Registration and passport application take approximately 12 months to be finalised.<\/p>

One of the parents of the child must be a\u00a0South African citizen\u00a0*\u00a0at the time of birth to enable the child’s birth to be registered in South Africa. Children born out of wedlock may be registered by the mother as the sole parent. If the child born out of wedlock is to be registered in the father’s name, paternity must be acknowledged on form DHA-24.<\/p>

No errors or amendments are acceptable on the forms. Clear print, in\u00a0black<\/strong>\u00a0ink, is required.<\/p>

The following documentation must be submitted:<\/p>

  1. Form DHA-24 <\/strong>Notice of Birth (fully completed) and DHA-9<\/strong> Fingerprint form. These forms are not available online and may never be copied. To obtain form DHA-24 and DHA-9, please email a request providing the applicant\u2019s full names and South African ID number(s) to Canberra@dirco.gov.za<\/a>. A copy of the letter and email must then be posted in a self-addressed, prepaid A4 envelope with correct postage, or a self-addressed Express Post envelope, and addressed to:
    The Consular Office, South African High Commission, State Circle, Yarralumla, Canberra 2600.<\/strong>
    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Please note that the DHA-24 and DHA-9 forms cannot be emailed.<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>
    1. Form\u00a0DHA-288<\/strong><\/a>to be completed by applicants under the age of 15.<\/li><\/ol>
      1. Form\u00a0DHA-288<\/strong><\/a>and\u00a0DHA-288\/A<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>to be completed by applicants 15 years and older.<\/li>
      2. Form\u00a0BI-529<\/strong><\/a>– By any\u00a0one<\/strong>\u00a0of the South African parents\/ on behalf of the child\/applicant.<\/li>
      3. Two (2) identical passport-size photos of the applicant<\/li>
      4. Form\u00a0CON 40<\/strong><\/a>– Affidavit by parent regarding citizenship or nationality of another country<\/li>
      5. Certified copy of the child\/applicant’s foreign birth certificate (showing names of both parents)<\/li>
      6. Certified copy of the marriage certificate of parents, if applicable<\/li>
      7. Certified copies of the parent(s) identity documents or passports<\/b>\u00a0(only the page with biological data)<\/li>
      8. Fully completed\u00a0passport application for child (if in need).<\/li>
      9. Copy of the certificate of the parent(s) authority to hold dual citizenship, and a certified copy of the parent’s foreign citizenship certificate (if applicable).<\/li>
      10. Form DHA-9: All late birth registration applications of persons 16 years and older lodged from abroad MUST include the fingerprints. To obtain the DHA-9 Fingerprint form, please see above.<\/li><\/ol>
        • There is no fee for the Birth Registration. The first birth certificate is issued free of charge.<\/li><\/ul>
          • Where permission has been granted to hold dual citizenship by the Department of Home Affairs, please include a photocopy of that authority.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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            \n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Birth Registration Application \u00a0 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. 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