The Department of Home Affairs has announced the resumption of additional services as the country moves into level 3 lockdown.
This, it said, was in addition to the services rendered in level 4, namely: issuing of uncollected identity documents; issuing of temporary identity certificates; registration of births and deaths; reissuing of birth and death certificates and issuing of passports to those involved in export and cargo transport.
Most notably, the department will now provide marriage services and receive requests for late registration of birth. For marriages, couples are required to book an appointment. On the day of the marriage, only the couple and their witnesses will be allowed into the building.
An appointment is also required when applying for a late registration of birth (an application lodged more than 30 days after the birth). Children born during the lockdown do not follow this process.
Refugee reception offices remain closed, but permits issued lawfully and which expired during the lockdown would be deemed to be valid until 31 July.
The department has been busy during lockdown. According to a statement, between 27 March and 28 May 2020, 133 251 births were registered. Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal each registered the birth of more than 27 000 children. Some 68 768 deaths were registered.
The department said 55 761 temporary identity certificates were issued during this time; 51 844 birth certificates were replaced and 475 passports were issued to those in export and cargo transport to support economic activity and food security.
Those who had not yet collected their smart ID cards were encouraged to do so at the offices at which they had applied, added the department. Some form of identification would be required.
“All offices have been disinfected and all people visiting are requested to wear masks and to observe social distancing protocols inside and outside the offices,” added the statement. No visa or permitting functions will be available in South Africa or at missions abroad during level 3 lockdown.
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