CHANGE OF FORENAMES FOR MINOR (UNDER 18 YEARS OLD)

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

Application requirements for corrections, re-registration of a birth, insertion of the biological father’s particulars, change of forenames of an adult or child, change of the surname of a minor, change of gender, alteration of the date of birth are different and the applicable guidelines should be consulted.

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

Appointment Requirements:

  1. Ensure you bring a BLACK INK with pen
  2. Both parents must attend the appointment if the applicantisbelow 18 years of age.
  3. If the child is 15 years old and above, the child must attend the appointment
  4. Passport must be valid for at least 4 years before you submit the application for change of forenames.  
  5. All application forms must be fully completed but not signed, as they must be signed in the presence of a Home Affairs Official.
  6. Ensure to come with all originals and 2 x copies of supporting documents, the official will certify the copies.
  7. 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. The child can only apply for the new passport in the new forenames once he/she receives his/hers unabridged birth certificate with the new forenames or written confirmation from the Department stating that the change of forename/s has been approved.

Prescribed forms and Documents

Forms which cannot be downloaded will be provided when you come to your appointment.

Prescribed forms:

All forms must be fully completed in BLOCK LETTERS using BLACK INK.

  1. Form DHA/BI-85
  2. DHA-24LRB: Must complete two forms (1 x to be completed in a new forename & 1 x old forename as it is at present).
  3. DHA-24A to be completed for a child between 7 to 15 years of age.
  4. FORM DHA-9 — To be completed for child who is 16 and above.
  5. FORM DHA/BI 154 – To be completed with the new forename.
  6. DHA/BI  529 – All questions on both the sides of the forms must be completed. Please do not answer “N/A”, it is not an answer to any of the questions.
  • Part A: Part A: questions 7(if born outside SA only) 9, 10 and 11 are most important for the applicant. B. No.9 dates when child came with the parents who came to live/work in UK for the 1st time.

number 10(d) must also be answered, by circling a No or a Yes. Circle “NO” if you did not apply for Retention. Circle “Yes” if you previously applied for a Retention and attach your 1st Retention copy.

  • Part B: The relevant marital 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 details of their citizenship (if any).
  • Part E: Must be signed in the presence of Home Affairs Official. Valid telephone/mobile number, email address (in block letters) and physical address must be provided.
  1. Form SVP-109E: For South African citizens born in Namibia.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

You must come to your appointment with the original and two copies of each document.

All documents issued in foreign language MUST be officially translated into English language.

The documents to be submitted are of the child and also of both the parents.

Documents of the child:

  • Current valid passport (for at least 4 years)
  • Vault Copy of Unabridged Birth Certificate (with both the parents’ details on it).
  • Signed statement by both the parents confirming why they both wish to change the forename of the child.
  • 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, clear professionally taken, color 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).
  • If child has dual nationality, please provide proof as to how and when the foreign nationality was acquired/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, a foreign passport is not a proof of foreign citizenship/nationality as it does not indicate when(date) and how you acquired the citizenship.
  • g. If the child has British citizenship and he/she does not have any of the above, parents may visit the British Home Office web page: www.gov.uk/hm-passport-office-office., to get the information how to obtain the document.
  • The parent may also send an e-mail to: Queries@hmpo..gov.uk attach copies of child’s  UK passport, birth certificate and proof of  parents UK citizenship documents, if the child is 16 years and above then the child must send the e-mail.
  • Proof of South African citizenship i.e. South African naturalization certificate and South African immigration permit (if you are not a South African citizen by birth/descent)
  • A pre-paid, self-addressed, A4 envelope (which indicates 500grm paid for) to post the outcome letter on receipt from the Department in South Africa.
  • Processing fees (Non-Refundable) It must be paid in UK bank and in Sterling Pounds in the total of £21.00 (Change of Surname £14:00 and for Birth certificate in the new surname £7.00) must be deposited electronically into the High Commission’s Account using the 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.

 

PARENTS’ DOCUMENTS REQUIRED (original plus 2 copies)

  • SA Marriage certificate (or a Legalized/Apostille marriage certificate if married outside SA) to be submitted by all married applicants.

          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.

  • If dual nationals, 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, a 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.
  • g. If parents have British citizenship and they do not have any of the above, they may visit the British Home Office web page: www.gov.uk/hm-passport-office-office., to get the information how to obtain the document.
  • Parents may also 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.
  • Letter of exemption (if foreign citizenship was acquired as a major of age and before 6 October 1995)
  • Proof of South African citizenship i.e. South African naturalization certificate and South African immigration permit (if any of the parent is not a South African citizen by birth/descent)

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.

Once you receive of the outcome you can apply for the new passport with new forenames. 

Address:

South African High Commission

15 Whitehall,

London SW1A 2DD