Passport and marriage services resume at Home Affairs

Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on Sunday that the country has moved to Level 1 lockdown, the Department of Home Affairs on Thursday started offering more services at its offices.

South Africans can now apply for and collect their passports for all categories and register their marriages, among other services.

However, the citizenship service will remain temporarily unavailable and online services through eHome Affairs and its partner banks will be resumed on Monday.

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi reminded citizens to remain vigilant and observe health and safety protocols when they visit Home Affairs offices.

ALSO READ: Here are the new rules: SA moves to level 1 lockdown

“We do not want our offices to be super spreader sites. We urge everyone who visits our offices to observe social distancing, sanitise their hands regularly and to wear their masks properly, covering their noses and mouths,” Motsoaledi said.

“Nobody will be allowed into our offices if they are not wearing their masks properly.”

The following services will be resumed during Alert Level 1 lockdown:

• Re-issues of Smart ID Cards and identity documents
• Registration and solemnisation of marriages
• Amendments and rectifications
• Late registration of birth for all categories
• Applications and collections of passports for all categories

The following services were offered during Alert Level 3 lockdown and are set to continue:

• Birth registration
• Re-issuance of birth certificates
• Late registration of birth for pupils and pensioners only
• Death registration
• Applications for temporary identity certificates
• Collection of identity cards or documents
• Applications and collection of passports for those who have travel exemptions
• Applications for identity (Smart ID) cards or documents for matriculants only

READ NEXT: Motsoaledi to review permanent residence visas after Mkhwebane’s Gigaba finding

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.