How to register your child’s birth
Registering a child’s birth could be very stressful – this is how you do it:
All children born in South Africa must be registered within 30 days of their birth (in terms of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 51 of 1992.)
Here are a few simple steps for registering your child’s birth, according to the Department of Home Affairs’ website:
• A parent, parents, guardian or any other person legally responsible for the child must complete Form BI-24 (with black ink only) and it must be submitted to the nearest office of the Department of Home Affairs if you are in South Africa, or the nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate if you are overseas.
• Once the child’s birth has been registered, an unabridged birth certificate is issued free of charge, usually a day or so after the registration application has been submitted.
What to do when you need additional copies of the birth certificate:
• Complete Form BI-154 and submit it to the nearest office of the Department of Home Affairs if you are in South Africa, or the nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate if you are overseas.
• Pay the required fee for the application
What to do when you register a birth after the stipulated 30 days:
From 31 days to one year after birth, you will need the following:
• DHA 24/LRB (notice of birth)
• Children born at health facilities: DHA 24/PB (Proof of birth) / Children born at home: DHA 24PBA (Proof of Birth Affidavit)
• DHA 288/A (Affidavit giving reasons for Late Registration of Birth (LRB))
• Biometrics (palm, foot or fingerprint) of the child to be registered
• Fingerprints of parent/s
• ID/Passport of parent/s
From one year up to seven years after birth, you will need the following:
• DHA 24/LRB (notice of birth)
• Children born at health facilities: DHA 24/PB (Proof of birth) / Children born at home: DHA 24PBA (Proof of Birth Affidavit)
• DHA 288/A (Affidavit giving reasons for Late Registration of Birth (LRB))
• DHA 288
• Biometrics (palm, foot or fingerprint) of the child to be registered
• Fingerprints of parent/s
• ID/Passport of parent/s
Over seven years after birth, you will need the following:
• DHA 24/LRB (notice of birth)
• Children born at health facilities: DHA 24/PB (Proof of birth) / Children born at home: DHA 24PBA (Proof of Birth Affidavit)
• DHA 288/A (Affidavit giving reasons for Late Registration of Birth (LRB))
• DHA 288
• Biometrics (ID-size photo and fingerprint) of the person to be registered
• Fingerprints of parent/s
• ID/Passport of parent/s
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at northsider@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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