CHANGE OF SURNAME OF AN ADULT (18 YEARS AND ABOVE)

Any change of surname should meet the 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.

A woman may assume her husband’s surname or revert to her maiden surname, or a woman may also join her surname with that of her husband’s as a double-barrelled surname. No application to the Department of Home Affairs is necessary in these instances.

  • She may apply for her new passport/ID document by submitting her SA marriage certificate/ Divorce Decree or Legalised/Apostille marriage certificate/Divorce Decree and a letter of confirmation stating that she wants to take her maiden/husband’s surname/s.
  • Person’s whose surnames has already been changed on the system, may apply for a passport and/or identity document, reflecting that surname by providing evidence of the same.

Please note: One appointment per applicant. If you are applying for two people, you must book two appointments.

Appointment Requirements:

  1. Ensure to come with BLACK INK pen
  2. All forms must be fully completed in BLOCK LETTERS and BLACK INK, but do not sign the forms as they must be signed in the presence of Home Affairs Official on the day of your appointment.
  3. Currant passport must be valid for at least 9 years
  4. Ensure to come with all originals and 2 x copies of supporting documents, the official will certify them.
  5. Please do not make firm travel bookings before obtaining your passport in your new surname if your currant passport has expired. 

FORMS AND DOCUMENTS:

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

  1. BI-196: Download and complete it fully in black ink pen before your appointment date.
  2. DHA-24LRB: Must complete two forms. (1 x to be completed in a new surname & 1 x old surname as it is on your SA passport), the bar-coded form will be handed in on the day of your appointment.
  3. DHA-1688 (will be handed in on the day of your appointment).
  4. FORM DHA-9 (will be handed in on the day of your appointment)
  5. DHA/BI 529: All questions on the two sides of the forms must be answered. Please do not answer “N/A” as it is not an accepted answer to any of the questions.
  • Specific Sections of the form DHA/BI-529 to complete:
  • Part A: Questions No. 9, 10 and 11 are most important for the applicant. B. No.9 dates when you came to work/live in the 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., Child/Never married/ Married/ Divorced/Widowed). The details of the applicant’s current or former spouse must then be completed on DHA-529 whether deceased or divorced or widowed or even if he is not SA citizen
  • 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 foreign nationality (if any).
  • Part E: Valid telephone/mobile number, email address (in block letters) and physical address must be provided.
  1. DHA-154 (Must be fully completed in the new surname)
  2. SVP-109E: For South African citizens born in Namibia.

DOCUMENTS :

  1. Current SA (valid) passport
  2. ID book or Smart ID Card
  3. Vault copy of your Unabridged Birth Certificate (with both the parents’ details on it).
  4. Signed statement confirming why you wish to change your surname.
  5. Evidence of usage of the surname to be registered. This may be in the form of a statutory declaration.
  6. Signed consent from surname holder with a certified copy of his/her passport and ID document.
  7. Six very clear, professionally taken colour photos of the full face of the applicant, showing only head and shoulders, measuring 35mm x 45mm. Without glasses and clear forehead (not covered by hair)
  8. Marriage certificate/Divorce Decree A legalized/Apostille marriage certificate/divorce decree if married/Divorced outside SA).

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.

  1. If the applicant 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 proof of foreign citizenship/nationality as it does not indicate when(date) and how you acquired the citizenship.
  • g. If you as an applicant have 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: 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.
  • All foreign documents MUST be officially translated into English language.
  1. Letter of exemption (if foreign citizenship was acquired as a major of age and before 6 October 1995)
  2. Proof of South African citizenship e. South African naturalization certificate or South African immigration permit (if you are not a South African citizen by birth/descent)
  3. Processing fees (Non-Refundable) must be paid in UK bank and in Sterling Pounds in total of £35.00 Change of Surname (£28.00 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 and only pay if you have all the above documents on you.

  1. 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.

Your fully completed application will be referred to the Department in South Africa. The normal processing time on average is 36 months.

Legislation prescribes that the change of a surname of an adult must be gazetted in South Africa. The publication will be done by the Home Affairs Department.

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

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

Address:

South African High Commission

15 Whitehall

London SW1A 2DD