Identity documents enable holders to identify themselves for general purposes and day-to-day activities in society. Identity documents form an important part of each citizen's daily activities since all transactions, whether private or public, require positive identification. The issuing of identity documents is essential, as every country has to have some form of identification in respect of its citizens. In terms of the provisions of section 25 of the Identification Act, 1997 (Act No 68 of 1997), all South African citizens and permanent residents, 16 years and older, must be in possession of identity documents. Persons applying for their South African identity document for the first time do not have to pay the application fee. South African missions abroad may also process applications for re-issuance of a South African identity document from:

• A person whose identity document has been lost, stolen or damaged;
• A person, who applied for the change of personal particulars;
• A person whose citizenship status has changed;
• A woman who entered into matrimony or would like to resume any of her previous surnames;
• A person, who is temporarily residing abroad and who has previously been in possession of an identity document.

The following documents must be submitted when applying for a South African identity document:

• Form BI-9 to be fully completed in block letters and in black ink (as this form may not be downloaded, it should be requested in writing and by submitting a self-addressed A4-size envelope with postage paid to mail the form to the applicant; alternatively, this form may be collected in person at our office during the opening hours: Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri; 09:00-12:30);
  
  Note:
  - The purpose of this form is for the taking of fingerprints and the subsequent verification to confirm identity.
  - Fingerprints are taken free of charge at the Embassy in Stockholm, if applications are lodged in person.
  - The front page of the form BI-9 must be fully completed, dated and signed by the applicant.


• Form BI-529 to be fully completed in block letters and in black ink in respect of the child;

Note:
- The purpose of this form is to verify the applicant's South African citizenship; therefore, all South African citizens who are abroad at the time of lodging an application for a passport must fully complete this form.

- Questions 9, 10, 11 of Part A are of particular importance.

- Questions that are not applicable should be marked as n/a; if answers to certain questions are not known e.g. the mother's identity number, they should be marked as Do not know.


• Form DHA-24 to be fully completed in block letters and in black ink by persons applying for their South African identity document for the first time (as this form may not be downloaded, it should also be requested in writing);

Note:
- Parts A to F must be completed, dated and signed by the applicant.

- Questions that are not applicable should be marked as n/a; if answers to certain questions are not known, they should be marked as Do not know.

- The Compulsory Section under Part A is not applicable i.e. may be marked as n/a.

- The informant is the applicant i.e. person applying for the identity document.

- A recent photo of the child is not required for form DHA-24.


• Original or by the Embassy certified copy of the applicant’s South African passport (including page with the residence permit for Sweden, if applicable), identity document or birth certificate;


• In respect of dual citizens, original or certified copy of the applicant’s foreign passport;
  
  
• Extract from the population register (Personbevis from Skatteverket) in English


• In respect of married applicants, original or certified copy of the marriage certificate accompanied by an English translation by a sworn translator, if the original marriage certificate is not in English; alternatively, applicants who married in Sweden may submit an extract from the marriage register, which is commonly known as an international marriage certificate;

Note:
- Current legislative changes stipulate that female married applicants may elect to use their surname, their maiden surname or a combination of both current married surname and maiden surname. This request should be put in writing when applying for an identity document.


• In respect of divorced applicants, original or a certified copy of the applicant's divorce decree accompanied by an English translation by a sworn translator, if the original divorce decree is not in English or Afrikaans;


• In respect of widows, original or a certified copy of the applicant's spouse's death certificate accompanied by an English translation by a sworn translator, if the original death certificate is not in English; alternatively, an applicant whose spouse passed away in Sweden may submit an extract from the death register, which is commonly known as an international death certificate;


• Four (4) dentical passport photos (see photograph specifications), including the applicant's full name on the reverse side passport photos should not be affixed to the application form(s); 
  
  
• A self-addressed A5-size envelope with postage paid for (registered mail), to return the certificate after issuing, and any personal original documents; if not collected in person. Please note that it is the responsibility of the applicant to verify the cost with the postal service. Envelopes from companies/institutes with “porto betalt” not admissible.;


• Proof of payment of the prescribed application fee, e.g. copy of the bank transfer slip. Persons applying for their South African identity document for the first time do not have to pay the application fee.

Recipient:	South African Embassy in Stockholm
Bank giro:	606-4893
Banking institution:	SEB
Ref:	Identity document and Surname

Should you require clarification on completing the application forms or have any further enquiries about the application process, please contact our office at your convenience.

NOTE (please read carefully):

• Applicants are advised that applications submitted at our office are referred to the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria, where the documents are issued, with the diplomatic freight bag once every month.
• Unfortunately the intra-departmental movement of the application and tracing of original records in the register held by the Department of Home Affairs is a time consuming task, with the result that these applications may take up to six (6) months to process.
• Applicants would be immediately notified as soon as the issued document has been received by our office from Pretoria, and are kindly requested not to contact our office unnecessarily for progress reports. Applicants may however contact our office in the event of the application taking longer than six (6) months.
• Due to the long-term nature of such applications, applicants are kindly requested to keep our office informed of any change of address during the processing period; in fact, applicants should also provide us with a valid cellphone number and email address when submitting their application.
• A complete application may be either mailed to our office, or submitted personally during the consular opening hours: Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri; 09:00-12:30.
• Application forms should not be folded, and applications that are submitted by post, should be mailed in an A4-size envelope.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (formerly, Department of Foreign Affairs) offers a voluntary registration service for South African citizens that are travelling or residing abroad, ROSA (Registration of South Africans Abroad). This service is provided in the event there is a need to contact you to offer urgent advice on a natural disaster or civil unrest or a family emergency. Information may submitted by a South African citizen via the ROSA Online Registration form.