Please note: One appointment per child/applicant. If you are applying for two children, you must book two appointments.  You need to book one slot per child/applicant.

Appointment Requirements:

• Ensure to come with BLACK INK pen
• Both parents must be present if the child is below 18 years old.
• Children who are 15 1/2 years old and above must attend the appointment and have 4 copies of all documents.
• All application forms must be fully completed but not signed, as they must be signed in the presence of a Home Affairs Official.
• Ensure to come with all originals and 2 x copies of supporting documents (for children below 15 years of age), the official will certify them.
• Ensure to come with all originals and 4 x copies of supporting documents (for children 15 ½ years of age and above), the official will certify them.
• The bar-coded forms such as DHA-24, DHA-9 which cannot be downloaded, will be provided on the day of your appointment.

FORMS AND DOCUMENTS:

Prescribed forms to be completed in BLACK INK and BLOCK LETTERS

Form DHA-24 for children to be registered before 30 days. (with four photos)

Form DHA-24 and DHA-288A for child to be registered before 12 months. (with four photos)

Form DHA-24LR and DHA-288 for registration of children aged between 1 YEAR to 15 years. (with 6 photos)

Form DHA-24LR, DHA-288, DHA-24A and 2x DHA-9 for registration of children aged between 15 ½ years onwards (with 8 photos).

Form DHA- 288C, to be completed by the father for registration of children if born out of wedlock.  (Please do not sign the form)

Form: DHA-73 (can be downloaded), to be fully completed but do not sign.

Form: BI/DHA-529 x 3 (can be downloaded), fully complete on both sides of the form (do not write N/A and do not sign). You must complete one form in the child’s name and the other two forms for each SA parent. Once completed, make 2xcopies of the completed form)

The purpose of the form is to establish that as a South African Citizen you have not lost your Citizenship and that all your details mentioned therein are according to the National population registrar. 

• Specific Sections of the form DHA/BI-529 to complete

Part A: Questions 7 (if born outside SA only) 9, 10 and 11 are most important for the applicant. N.B. No.9 dates when you came to live in UK to work/live for the 1^st time number 10(d) must also be answered, with circling a No or a Yes. Circle “NO” if you never applied for the Retention of SA citizenship letter; Circle “Yes” if you applied for a Retention letter previously. Please bring your Retention letter/certificate with you on the day of your appointment.

Part B: The relevant status can be written next to the words “Marital Status” on the form (e.g. Marital Status: Child/Never married/ Married/ Divorced/Widowed). The details of the applicant’s current or former spouse must then be completed on the DHA-529, whether deceased or divorced or widowed)

• It is compulsory (even if you married a foreigner) to register the marriage/divorce in RSA, if married/divorced outside RSA.
• For Legalization of UK marriage certificates and UK divorce decrees visit https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised

Part C and D: Both the parents’ details must be completed including their ID numbers and foreign nationality (if any).

Part E: Ensure that form DHA-529 is signed in the presence of Home Affairs Official. You can complete it with Valid telephone/mobile number, email address (in block letters) and physical address must be completed before your appointment.

DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED ON THE DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT: (Original plus two copies for children under 15 years of age and four copies for over 15 years and above):

1. Child’s (applicant’s) unabridged birth certificate (where both the parents’ names are mentioned)
2. Child’s/Applicant’s passport (for applicants who have foreign passport)
   • Proof of the foreign nationality of the child/applicant; a document that shows how and when the citizenship was obtained. (Please note a foreign passport/birth certificate is not a proof of foreign citizenship/nationality as it does not indicate as to when(date) and how the child/applicant acquired the citizenship).
3. All above mentioned photos must be very clear, the child looking straight into the camera, professionally taken color photos of the full face of applicant, showing only head and shoulders measuring 35mm x 45mm, with a clear forehead (Not covered by hair)
4. Please Note: The 1^st birth certificate will be issued free of charge.
5. Processing fees (Non-refundable) It must be paid from a UK bank and in Sterling Pounds of £58:00 for the new passport, it must be deposited electronically into the High Commission’s Account using details below.

NAME OF THE BANK: LLOYDS BANK PLC.

NAME OF THE ACCOUNT HODER:   SOUTH AFRICAN HIGH COMMISSION

ACCOUNT NUMBER: 51969368

SORT CODE: 30-65-41

CURRENCY: GBP

REFERENCE NUMBER: SURNAME & FULL NAMES (AS THEY APPEAR ON THE APPLICANT’S PASSPORT/BIRTH CERTIFICATE/ID

• NP: Please be reminded that you will be required to bring printed proof of payment on the day of your appointment.
• Pay at least three working days before your appointment date.

6. A pre-paid, self-addressed, special delivery envelope (which indicates 500grm paid for) with your postal address on it.

PARENTS’ DOCUMENTS REQUIRED: (original plus 2 x copies)

2. Marriage certificate. If married outside South Africa Legalized/Apostille certificate.
3. For Legalization of UK marriage certificates and UK divorce decrees visit https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised

Please Note: Apostille Certification can be obtained only from Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.

• It is compulsory to register the marriage/divorce in RSA
• You will find marriage/Divorce Registration form and the requirements on our web page under “REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN MARRIAGES/DIVORCE IN RSA”

4. Both the parents’ documents, ID documents, passports, SA permits, SA birth certificates. If they have dual nationality, please provide proof as to how and when you/both acquired the foreign nationality, such as Naturalization /Registration Certificate or foreign birth certificate issued by the Embassy/ letter from the authorities stating the date you/both acquired the nationality. (Please note a foreign passport/birth certificate is not a proof of foreign citizenship/nationality as it does not indicate as to when(date) and how any of you acquired the citizenship).
5. If the parents have British citizenship and they do not have proof, in order to get the document, they may visit the British Home Office web page: gov.uk/passport-advice-line;

• You may also try and send an e-mail to: Queries@hmpo..gov.uk attach copies of their UK passport, birth certificate and proof of their parents’ UK citizenship documents etc. Children 16 years and above must send their own e-mail.
• If the parents have any other nationality other than British and they do not have any of the above documents, then please contact the country’s authorities (Embassy or Home Office and request a letter/document stating the date and means of acquiring the citizenship/nationality.

6. If any document is in a foreign language, you must get them officially translated in English language. You must bring in copies of both the documents. i.e. document in foreign language and also officially translated copies in English.
7. Retention of SA citizenship letter (if it was issued to you)
8. Original plus two copies of all the documents are needed.

If you do not comply with any of the requirements including copies of the documents, you will not be attended and therefore you will have to book a new appointment.

The average processing time is six months. You will be notified by an e-mail as soon as the passport is received in our office.

The SA birth certificate will be posted back to you in the pre-paid, self-addressed special delivery envelope submitted on the day of the appointment.

The collection time for the new passport is between 10 am to 12:00 pm Monday to Friday except for Bank Holidays (CLOSED).

Web page: www.dirco.gov.za/civic

The Address: South African High Commission,

                      15 Whitehall,

                      London SW1A 2DD