• Form DHA-24 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 sufficient postage paid for to post the form to the applicant; alternatively, this form may also be collected in person at our office during the consular opening hours: Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri; 09:00-12:30);
  
  Note:
  - Parts A to F must be completed, dated and signed by the informant (the person registering the child e.g. a parent).
  - 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'.
  - Under Part A, 'late registration of birth' refers to a birth being registered after 30 days i.e. reasons why the birth was not registered within the prescribed 30 days must be provided.

- If parents are married please attach copy of marriage certificate. If parents are not married please sign PART D on form for both parents
- Children born within wedlock must be registered either under the surname of the biological father, or the surname of the biological mother, or under the surnames of such mother and father joined together as a double-barrelled surname.
- Children born out of wedlock are registered under the surname of the biological mother, but may also be registered under the surname of the biological father, provided the father acknowledges paternity and both mother and father provide written consent to the registration of the child under the father's surname.

• Form BI-154 to be fully completed in block letters and in black ink

• Form BI-529 to be fully completed in block letters and in black ink in respect of the child and one for the SA parent/s – required to verify South African citizenship

Note:
            - Parts A and B of this form must contain the particulars of the child being registered.
            - The form should be completed and signed by the informant.
            - 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'.
             - Questions 10 and 11 of Part A are of particular importance.

• Extract from the population register (Personbevis from Skatteverket) in English for the child. This must contain information on both parents.

• Letter from the hospital where the child was born – please note this must be in English and on official Hospital letterhead. The letter must also be signed.
• Original and a copy of the child's foreign passport, if applicable;

• Original and copies of the South African parent/s' proof of South African citizenship, e.g. valid South African passport;

• Original and copy of the foreign parent's valid passport, if applicable;

• Original or certified copy of the parent's marriage certificate, if applicable, and accompanied by an English translation by a sworn translator, if the original marriage certificate is not in English; alternatively, parents who married in Sweden may submit an extract from the marriage register, which is commonly known as an 'international marriage certificate';

• Attach printed proof of payment when submitting your application forms;
  
  
• A self-addressed envelope,  to return the certificate after issuing, and any personal original documents, with sufficient postage for the return of passport by registered mail (REK) 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.

Processing time: 3-6 months

Should you require clarification on completing the application forms or have any further enquiries about the application process, please contact our office during consular hours; Monday, Tuesday Thursday or Fridays 9-12.30.

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.
  
  
• 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 posted 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.