CHANGE OF FORENAMES FOR MAJOR

This amendment is in terms of Section 26(2) of the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1992.

Application for corrections, re-registration of a birth, insertion of the biological father’s particulars, change of forenames, change of the surname of a minor, change of forenames Major, Change of Forenames minor, Change of Gender, Alteration of date of birth are different and the applicable guidelines should be consulted.

To apply for the change of forenames you must comply with the following:

Appointment Requirements:

  1. Ensure to come with BLACK INK pen   
  2. Your current passport must be valid at least for 5 years before you submit your application for change of forenames.  
  3. All application forms must be fully completed but not signed, as they must be signed in the presence of a Home Affairs Official.
  4. Ensure to come with all originals and 2 x copies of supporting documents, the official will certify them.
  5. Printed proof of payment
  1. A pre-paid self-addressed A4 envelope (which indicates 500grm paid for).

to post the outcome on receipt from the Department in South Africa.

  1. You can only apply for the new passport in the new forenames once you receive your unabridged birth certificate with the new forenames

Prescribed forms and Documents  

The Forms which cannot be downloaded will be given when you come to the office with the appointment.

All forms must be fully completed in BLOCK LETTERS and BLACK INK

  1. Form DHA/BI-85
  2. DHA-24LRB — Must complete two similar forms. (1 x to be completed in a new surname & 1 x old surname as it is now). It will be given on the day of the appointment.
  3. Form DHA – 1688 — It will be given on the day of the appointment!
  4. FORM DHA-9 — It will be given on the day of the appointment.
  5. DHA/BI 529 Prescribed forms: DHA 529, to be completed in BLACK INK and BLOCK LETTERS in BLACK INK and BLOCK LETTERS (FULLY COMPLETED means all questions of the two forms must be answered. Please do not answer “N/A”, it is not an answer to any of the questions.
  • Part A: questions 7(if born outside SA) 9, 10 and 11 are most important for the applicant. B. No.9 dates when you came to work/live in UK for the 1st time; number 10(d) must also be answered, with circling a No or a Yes. “No” if you were not issued a Retention letter before; “Yes”, if you previously were issued a Retention letter, if so attach your 1st Retention copy.
  • Part B: 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 whether deceased or divorced or widowed)
  • Part C and D: Must both be completed in full, with the details of the parents of the applicant including their ID numbers and foreign nationality (if any).
  • Part E: Ensure that form DHA-529 is not signed, you must sign in front of the Home Affairs Official. Valid telephone/mobile number, email address (in block letters) and physical address must be provided.
  1. Form DHA-154 (in new surname).
  2. Form SVP – 109E — For citizens born in Namibian to be completed fully in BLACK INK and BLOCK LETTERS.

DOCUMENTS

You must come with all the Original and two copies of each document.

The official who takes in the application will certify the copies of the documents. See that you come with all the originals and all requested copies.

All foreign documents MUST be officially translated into English language.

  • Current passport
  • ID book or Smart ID Card
  • Vault Copy of Unabridged Birth Certificate (with both the parents’ details on it).
  • A detailed signed statement confirming why you wish to change your forename.
  • Evidence of usage of the forename to be registered. This may be in the form of a statutory declaration by a South African citizen who is prepared to state that this is the forename currently being used.
  • Six very clear professionally taken colour photos of the full face of applicant, showing only head and shoulders measuring 35mm x 45mm. Without glasses and clear forehead (Not covered by hair)
  • Marriage certificate / Legalized/Apostille marriage certificate if married outside SA to be submitted by married applicants irrespective of they will or will not change their surname or is married to a foreigner.
  • If applicant has dual nationality, please provide proof as to how and when the foreign nationality was acquire/granted, such Naturalization /Registration Certificate or foreign birth certificate issued by the Embassy/ letter from the authorities stating the date you acquired the nationality. (Please note foreign passport is not a proof of foreign citizenship/nationality as it does not indicate as to when(date) and how you acquired the citizenship) 
  • e.g. If you as applicant has British citizenship and you do not have any of the above, you may visit the British Home Office web page:  www.gov.uk/hm-passport-office-office., to get the information how to obtain the document.
  • You may also send an e-mail to: DPA.Queries@hmpo..gov.uk attach copies of your UK passport, birth certificate and proof of your parents UK citizenship documents.

 If you have any other nationality and you do not have any of the above documents, then please contact the country’s authorities and request a letter stating the date and means of you acquiring the citizenship/nationality.

  • Letter of exemption (if foreign citizenship was acquired as a major of age and before 6 October 1995)
  • Proof of South African citizenship e. South African naturalization certificate and South African immigration permit (if you are not a South African citizen by birth/descent)
  • Processing fees (Non-Refundable) It must be paid in UK bank and in Sterling Pounds in total of £21.00 (£14:00 Change of Surname and £7.00 for Birth certificate in the new surname) must be deposited electronically into the High Commission’s Account.
  • 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.
  • A pre-paid self-addressed A4 envelope (which indicates 500grm paid for).

to post the outcome on receipt from the Department in South Africa.

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

The normal processing time on average is 36 months.

Once the application is successfully lodged, do not contact the office until the turnaround time of 36 months have passed.

You will be informed as soon as the Department confirms the outcome to London Office.

You can only apply for the new passport in the new forenames once you receive your unabridged birth certificate with the new forenames or if you have a letter from the Department confirming that the change of forenames has been approved.

The Address: South African High Commission

                             15 Whitehall,

                              London SW1A 2DD