Please note that appointments are booked on a per applicant basis. If you are applying for two adults, you must schedule two separate appointments. One appointment slot must be booked for each applicant via the Booking Calendar on our above webpage.

The Citizenship legislation, effected on 6 October 1995 (Act 88 of 1995) provides for South African citizens to apply to voluntarily renounce their South African Citizenship.

To be eligible applicants must have already obtained citizenship of another country because with effect of the renunciation, the person cannot become a stateless person.

Minor children under the age of 18 cannot renounce their citizenship as they are still minor, they can do so only if one of the SA parents (or both) is renouncing their citizenship. Their application can be added to the parents’ applications and with the consent from both the parents.

The children 18 years and above can do so only once they have their ID document issued to them.

PLEASE NOTE: Home Affairs has restored the citizenship of those affected by Section 6(2) of the citizenship Act 1995, and as such you are deemed not to have lost your SA citizenship.

You can, therefore, book your appointment on Booking calendar on our website which is www.dirco.gov.za/uk/homeaffairs/Booking  and come and apply for your SA ID document, so that you receive a new ID document with South African ID number. For information and requirements check Re-ISSUE OF ID DOCUMENT under SERVICES

Appointment Requirements

• Ensure to come with BLACK INK pen
• Both parents must be present if the child is below 18 years old.
• 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 (including for children below 18 years of age), the official will certify them.
• Must have documentary proof of citizenship of another country
• The bar-coded form such as DHA-246 which cannot be downloaded, will be provided on the day of your appointment.

Requirements For Your Application

1. Form BI-246:  This bar-coded form cannot be downloaded. You will get it on the day of your appointment. Complete the form fully in duplicate, in black ink and block letters. (If your children are under 18 years old and are not registered as South African citizens, do not include them in your form. If they are South African citizens, and if both the parents want to renounce their SA citizenship then, you may include them in Section 11 of your form.

2. Form DHA 529: Can be downloaded. It must be fully completed on both the sides in BLACK INK and BLOCK LETTERS.

All questions of the two forms must be answered. Please do not answer “N/A”, it is not an accepted answer to any of the questions.

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

• Part A: Questions 9, 10 and 11 are most important for the applicant. B. number 9. you must write the date you entered UK 1^st time to live /work in UK, 10(d) must also be answered, by circling a “No” or a “Yes”. Circle “Yes”, if you applied for a Retention previously then attach your copy of Retention letter, Circle “NO” if you did not apply for Retention letter.

• 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 DHA-529 whether deceased or divorced or widowed must be completed even if married to foreign national.
• Part C and D: Must both be completed in full, with the details of the parents of the applicant (even if they are deceased or not SA citizen) including their ID numbers and foreign nationality (if they hold).
• Part E: Ensure that form DHA-529 is signed. A valid telephone/mobile number, email address (in block letters) and physical address must be provided.

3. Form SVP – 109E: To be completed by South African citizens born in Namibia.

DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED (Original plus 2 x copies of all documents.

1. Copies of your Current/last passport
2. Your ID document/ID card
3. SA Unabridged birth Certificate (with both the parents’ details)
4. If born outside RSA then, foreign unabridged birth certificate.
5. Proof as to how and when (date) the foreign nationality was acquired/granted, such as Naturalization /Registration Certificate or foreign birth certificate issued by the Embassy/ letter from the authorities stating the date and means you acquired the nationality.

• • Please note, a foreign passport/birth certificate is not a 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 (other than British) and you do not have any of the above documents, then please contact the country’s authorities like the Embassy, Home Office of the country and request them a letter stating the date and means of you acquiring the citizenship/nationality
  • 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 officially translated copies in English.

6. Marriage certificate/Divorce Decree. It is compulsory to register your marriage/Divorce in RSA even if you are renouncing your SA citizenship. If your marriage certificate/divorce decree is issued outside SA, it must have a legalized/apostille stamp. For information on legalized/apostille marriage certificate /divorce decree. Please contact: legalisationenquiries@fco.gsi.gov.uk , tel. No. 03700 0022 44. https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised

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

7. Letter of exemption (if foreign citizenship was acquired as an adult and before 6 October 1995)
8. 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).
9. A comprehensive written explanation of the personal, legal or practical reasons for renouncing your South African citizenship.
10. Please submit a pre-paid, self-addressed, Special Delivery envelope clearly showing postage paid for up to 500 grams, with your postal address written on it. Franked envelopes (with postage labels/Stickers) will not be accepted.

FOR MINORS (UNDER 18 YEARS)

Citizenship for minors under the age of 18 can be renounced only if they are born in South Africa or their foreign birth is registered with the Department of Home Affairs in SA and if one of the SA parent’s is renouncing his/her citizenship You can include them in the (parent’s) application under Section No.11 of the form.

Forms: DHA 529, to be completed in BLACK INK and BLOCK LETTERS with child’s details and both the parents’ details.

DOCUMENTS

1. Original plus 2 x copies of the following supporting documents
2. Current/Expired passport
3. SA Unabridged birth certificate and foreign unabridged birth certificate if born outside RSA (with both the parents’ details).
4. Proof of foreign citizenship, confirming how and when foreign citizenship was obtained (issued by the foreign entity) a foreign passport or birth certificate is not a proof of foreign citizenship/nationality as it does not indicate when(date) and how the child acquired/granted the citizenship. UK birth certificate is not a proof of their UK citizenship, as everyone born in UK does not qualify for UK citizenship. If you do not have any of the above, then please go on British Home Office web page: gov.uk/hm-passport-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 (other than British) and you do not have any of the above documents, then please contact the country’s authorities like the Embassy, Home Office of the country and request them a letter stating the date and means of you acquiring the citizenship/nationality
  • 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 officially translated copies in English.

5. Proof of South African citizenshipe. South African naturalization certificate and South African Immigration permit (if the children are not a South African citizen by birth/descent)
6. The parents responsible must sign the forms on behalf of a minor child (i.e. under 18 years of age).
7. A motivation letter signed by both the parents giving their consent to renounce the children’s citizenship.
8. If parents are divorced, documentary evidence proves sole custody and control and guardianship of child/children (court ruling).
9. A pre-paid, self-addressed, Special Delivery envelope clearly showing postage paid for up to 500 grams, with your postal address written on it. Franked envelopes (with postage labels/Stickers) will not be accepted.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

• The normal processing time is 12 to 18 months.
• Once your application is successfully lodged, do not contact the office until the turnaround time of 18 months has passed.
• Once it is processed, a letter stating the outcome will be posted to you in the pre-paid self-addressed special delivery envelope provided. The letter/certificate should be carefully preserved. You should be able to present to Home Affairs in future whenever requested.

South African High Commission,
15 Whitehall,
London,
SW1A 2DD
Website: www.dirco.gov.gov.za/uk