{"id":2770,"date":"2026-04-23T08:13:43","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T08:13:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dirco.gov.za\/canberra\/?page_id=2770"},"modified":"2026-04-23T12:16:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T12:16:14","slug":"application-for-the-alteration-of-the-surname-of-minor","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dirco.gov.za\/canberra\/application-for-the-alteration-of-the-surname-of-minor\/","title":{"rendered":"Application for the Alteration of the Surname of Minor"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Application for the alteration of the Surname of a Minor<\/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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Section 17 of The Children’s Act (Act No. 38 of 2005) stipulates that a child becomes a major upon reaching the age of 18 years.<\/p>

These guidelines are for amendments in terms of Section 25(1)(a) and Section 25(1)(b) of the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1992.<\/p>

This application is to change the surname of a minor (child) as it appears in the National Population Register.<\/p>

Application for any\u00a0correction of wrong particulars,\u00a0re-registration of a birth,\u00a0insertion of the biological father’s particulars,\u00a0change of the surname of a major,\u00a0change of forename(s) of a minor or major, is different and the applicable guidelines should be consulted.<\/p>

There are two types of surname changes explained below: Please follow the guidelines to the one applicable.<\/p>

A child known by the surname of the man the mother married after the death or divorce of the biological father<\/strong><\/p>

The following documentation is required:<\/p>

  1. Completion of forms BI-193<\/a>\u00a0and BI-529<\/a><\/li>
  2. New notice of Birth BI-24<\/a><\/li>
  3. Certified copy of the parents divorce order or the biological father’s death certificate.<\/li>
  4. Written consent from biological father (if still alive) or court order granting exemption from such consent.<\/li>
  5. Written consent from stepfather whose surname is to be used.<\/li>
  6. Copy of marriage certificate (present marriage).<\/li><\/ol>

    A child born out of wedlock and who is now known by the surname of the man whom the mother married<\/strong><\/p>

    1. Completion of forms BI-193<\/a>\u00a0and BI-529<\/a><\/li>
    2. New notice of Birth BI-24<\/a><\/li>
    3. Written consent to the change from the man whom the mother married and whose surname the child will henceforth carry.<\/li>
    4. Certified copy of the current marriage certificate.<\/li><\/ol>

      Application Fee:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>

      Non-refundable fee of\u00a0AUD 6.00<\/strong>\u00a0per application.<\/p>

      Payment must be in Australian Dollars (AUD) made out to the “South African High Commission” by way of Postal Money Order or Bank Cheque.<\/p>

      Personal cheques or credit cards are\u00a0NOT<\/strong>\u00a0accepted.\u00a0ONE<\/strong>\u00a0bank cheque or Postal Money Order for the total amount \/ whole family is preferred.\u00a0Incorrect payment will not be accepted<\/strong>; in case of incorrect payment the cheque or postal money order will be returned to applicant.<\/p>

      Return Postage<\/strong><\/p>

      • For applications originating from within Australia – a Self-addressed Registered Post Envelope (only one envelope per family).<\/li><\/ul>

        Postal Address:<\/strong><\/p>

        South African High Commission
        State Circle
        Yarralumla
        ACT
        2600<\/p>\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\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Application for the alteration of the Surname of a Minor Section 17 of The Children’s Act (Act No. 38 of 2005) stipulates that a child becomes a major upon reaching the age of 18 years. These guidelines are for amendments in terms of Section 25(1)(a) and Section 25(1)(b) of the Births and Deaths Registration Act, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"rs_blank_template":"","rs_page_bg_color":"","slide_template_v7":"","_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2770","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nApplication for the Alteration of the Surname of Minor - South African High Commission in Canberra, Australia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dirco.gov.za\/canberra\/application-for-the-alteration-of-the-surname-of-minor\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Application for the Alteration of the Surname of Minor\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Application for the alteration of the Surname of a Minor Section 17 of The Children’s Act (Act No. 38 of 2005) stipulates that a child becomes a major upon reaching the age of 18 years. 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