CHANGE OF SURNAME (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.

Appointment Requirements:

  1. Ensure to come with BLACK INK pen
  2. Both the parents must attend the appointment if the person is below 18 years of age
  3. The child who is 15 years old and above, 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. All foreign documents MUST be officially translated into English language.
  8. Printed proof of payment
  9. A pre-paid self-addressed A4 envelope (which indicates 500grm paid for).
    • to post the outcome on receipt from the Department in South Africa.
  10. The child can only apply for the new passport in the new surname once he/she receives his/hers unabridged birth certificate with the new surname or written confirmation from the Department stating that the change of surname has been approved.

Prescribed forms and Documents

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

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

  1. Form BI-193
  2. DHA-24LRB — Will be given on the day of the appointment. Must complete two similar forms. (1 x to be completed in a new surname & 1 x old surname as it is on the SA birth certificate/SA passport).
  3. Form DHA – 1688 It will be given on the day of the appointment.
  4. FORM DHA-9 — (if the child is 16 years old and above) It will be given on the day of the appointment.\
  5. DHA/BI 529 to be completed in BLACK INK and BLOCK LETTERS.  (FULLY COMPLETED means all questions on the two (both sides) forms must be answered. Please do not answer “N/A”, it is not an answer to any of the questions.
    • Part A: questions 9, 10 and 11 are most important for the applicant. B. No.9 dates when you came to work/live/accompanied with a parent in UK for the 1st time. number 10(d) must also be answered, with circling a No or a Yes. “Yes”, if you previously applied for a Retention and 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 details of foreign nationality (if any)
    • Part E: Do not sign the form as it must be signed in the presence of Home Affairs Official.  Ensure that valid telephone/mobile number, email address (in block letters) and physical address is be provided.
  6. Form DHA-154 (to complete in new surname),
  7. Form SVP – 109E — For citizens born in Namibian to be completed fully in BLACK INK and BLOCK LETTERS.

DOCUMENTS of the child

You must come with the Original and two copies of each document, the official will certify the copies.  

All foreign documents MUST be officially translated into English language.

  • Current passport
  • Vault copy of Unabridged Birth Certificate of the child where both the parents details appear.
  • Signed statement by both the parents confirming why they both wish to change child’s surname.
  • Evidence of usage of the surname 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 surname currently being used.
  • Signed consent from surname holder with a certified copy his/her passport and ID document.
  • Four (Six for the child who is 16 years old and above) 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)
  • If the child 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).
  • g. If the child has British citizenship and you do 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.
  • 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 are 16 years and above then you must send the e-mail.

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.  

  • Proof of South African citizenship i.e. South African naturalization certificate and South African immigration permit (if the child is not a South African citizen by birth/descent).
  • A pre-paid self-addressed A4 envelope. (which indicates 500grm paid for) to post the outcome on receipt from the Department in South Africa.
  • Processing fees (Non-Refundable) It must be paid in a UK bank and in Sterling Pounds in total of £14.00 (Change of Surname £7:00 and for Birth certificate in the new surname £7.00) 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.

PARENTS’ DOCUMENTS (Original plus 2xcopies)

  • Copies of parents’ valid passports
  • Copies of parents’ ID document/card
  • Parents’ 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 married to a foreigner.
  • 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 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 the child has British citizenship and you do 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.
  • 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 are 16 years and above then you must send the e-mail.

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.  

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 informs the outcome to London Office.

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

The Address: South African High Commission

                        15 Whitehall,

                         London SW1A 2DD