Changing a child’s name or surname at the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) costs R70 and usually takes 3 to 6 months. This page covers the forms, who must consent, the documents to bring, the steps, how to add a name to a child’s birth certificate, and what to do if the other parent refuses.
In summary
- Fee: R70 for a child’s surname or first name change.
- Time: usually 3 to 6 months, including Government Gazette publication.
- Forms: DHA-193 (BI-193) for a surname, DHA-85 (BI-85) for a first name.
- Consent: written consent from both parents, or a High Court order if one refuses.
- Where: a DHA branch office, walk-in. Not a bank branch.
A child is a minor until 18. If you are changing your own name as an adult, see how to change your first name or surname.
How much does it cost to change a child’s surname at Home Affairs?
R70. The same fee applies to a first name change and to adding a first name. Fees are non-refundable once you submit, so confirm the amount at your DHA office before paying. For comparison, an adult surname change costs R325; see the name change hub.
After approval, you may also pay for updated documents: R600 for a new passport if the child has one, and R140 for a Smart ID if the child is 16 or older.
How long does it take to change a child’s name?
Usually 3 to 6 months from submission. Processing happens at DHA head office in Pretoria, not at your local branch, and includes publication in the Government Gazette and a 30-day objection period before the Director-General approves the change. If it is taking longer than 6 months, see name change taking too long.
First name change vs surname change
| First name change | Surname change | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | Section 24(1), Births and Deaths Registration Act | Section 25, Births and Deaths Registration Act |
| Form | DHA-85 (BI-85) | DHA-193 (BI-193) |
| Fee | R70 | R70 |
| Government Gazette | Yes | Yes |
| Director-General approval | Yes | Yes |
| Processing time | 3 to 6 months | 3 to 6 months |
| Both parents’ consent | Yes | Yes |
Adding a name to your child’s birth certificate
Adding a first name, such as a second or middle name, is treated as a change of forename:
- Use Form DHA-85, with the full new name as the child should be registered
- The fee is R70 and processing takes 3 to 6 months
- The same consent rules apply as for any other name change
- Once approved, DHA issues a birth certificate showing the new name
Adding a father’s details to a birth certificate is a different process. See how to add a father’s name to a birth certificate.
Who can apply
A parent or legal guardian applies. A child under 18 cannot apply alone. A child aged 16 or 17 may, in some circumstances, apply through the adult process; ask your DHA office about this.
Consent rules
This is the most important part of a child’s name change.
Child born to married parents: both parents must consent in writing. If the marriage has ended, the father must still consent unless a court has granted an exemption.
Child born to unmarried parents, registered under the mother’s surname: both biological parents must consent in writing. The father’s written consent is required under Section 25 unless a court waives it.
Child born to unmarried parents, registered under the father’s surname: the father must consent in writing. If he refuses, a court order is needed.
Mother remarried, child to take the new husband’s surname: the new husband must also consent in writing, as well as both biological parents.
Child in the care of a guardian: the guardian applies, with written consent and proof of guardianship.
One parent has died: provide the death certificate instead of that parent’s consent.
One parent cannot be found: DHA will not proceed without consent or a court order. Apply to the High Court for an order dispensing with the absent parent’s consent.
Important: DHA has set aside name changes made without the other parent’s consent, even years later. A case reported in De Rebus in 2018 saw a mother ordered to restore her child’s original surname after changing it without the father’s consent. Consent or a court order is essential.
What to bring
First name change (DHA-85):
- Completed Form DHA-85 (do not sign in advance)
- The child’s unabridged birth certificate, showing both parents’ details
- Certified copies of both parents’ IDs
- A written motivation for the change
- Written consent from the other parent, if you are not applying together
- Form DHA-529, completed but not signed
- Form DHA-24A for children aged 7 to 15, issued at the office
- Form DHA-9 (fingerprints) for children aged 16 and over, issued at DHA or a police station
- Form DHA-24 (two barcoded copies), issued at the office
Surname change (DHA-193):
- Completed Form DHA-193 (do not sign in advance)
- The child’s unabridged birth certificate, showing both parents’ details
- Certified copies of both parents’ IDs
- A certified copy of the stepparent’s ID, if the child is taking their surname
- A written motivation for the change
- Written consent from everyone required (see consent rules)
- Marriage certificate or final divorce decree, if relevant
- Death certificate, if a parent has died
- Court order, if a parent’s consent was dispensed with
- Form DHA-529, completed but not signed
- Forms DHA-24A, DHA-9 and DHA-24 as above, issued at the office
Bring the originals and two certified copies of every document. All forms are signed in front of a DHA official.
Not sure what to take? Use our free Home Affairs checklist.
Step by step
Step 1: make sure consent is in place. Get written consent from everyone required before you go. If the other parent refuses, get a High Court order first.
Step 2: go to a DHA branch office. Name changes are walk-in services at DHA offices; they are not booked on BABS, and bank branches cannot process them. Arrive early. See how to book a Home Affairs appointment for what BABS does cover.
Step 3: collect your forms. Get Form DHA-85 or DHA-193 at the office, or download it beforehand. Forms DHA-24, DHA-24A and DHA-9 are issued at the office.
Step 4: complete the forms. Use black ink and block letters, write a clear motivation, and bring originals and certified copies.
Step 5: submit and pay. Hand in your forms and documents and pay the R70 fee. Keep the reference number.
Step 6: wait for processing in Pretoria. Your branch sends the application to head office for Gazette publication, the 30-day objection period and Director-General approval.
If the other parent refuses to consent
DHA will not process a child’s name change without every required consent. You must apply to the High Court under Section 25(2) of the Births and Deaths Registration Act for an order dispensing with that parent’s consent. The court decides based on the child’s best interests under the Children’s Act, looking at the child’s age, the relationship with the parent whose name would be removed, the practical effect on the child, and whether the child already uses the proposed name.
Courts are cautious about surname changes for very young children when a parent objects. The child’s own view becomes relevant from about age 11 and carries more weight from 14. Once you have the order, submit it to DHA instead of the refusing parent’s consent. You will need legal help; contact a family law attorney or Legal Aid South Africa.
After the name is approved
- Birth certificate: DHA issues an updated birth certificate. See how to apply for an unabridged birth certificate if you need an extra copy.
- Smart ID (16 and older): apply at a DHA live capture office for R140. See Smart ID card application guide.
- Passport: apply for a new passport (R600) if the child has one. See passport application guide.
- School, medical aid and other records: give each the updated birth certificate.
What you cannot do
- You cannot change a child’s name without consent from every parent or guardian with parental responsibility, or a court order.
- You cannot apply at a bank branch.
- You cannot backdate a name change. It takes effect when the Director-General approves it.
- A name change does not change parental rights and responsibilities; those can only be changed by a court.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to change a child’s surname at Home Affairs?
R70. The same R70 applies to changing or adding a child’s first name. Fees are non-refundable, so confirm the amount with your DHA office before you pay.
How long does it take to change a child’s name?
Usually 3 to 6 months from submission, because the change is published in the Government Gazette with a 30-day objection period before the Director-General approves it.
Can I add a name to my child’s birth certificate?
Yes. Adding a first name, such as a second or middle name, is a change of forename on Form DHA-85, for R70, with the same consent rules as any other name change. Once approved, DHA issues a birth certificate showing the new name.
Is it possible to change a baby’s name on the birth certificate?
Yes, through the same process: Form DHA-85 for a first name or Form DHA-193 for a surname, with consent from both parents, R70, and 3 to 6 months of processing.
Do both parents need to attend the DHA office?
No. The applying parent attends. The other parent gives written consent, such as a signed letter or statutory declaration.
Can I change my child’s name if the father is not on the birth certificate?
The consent rules can differ. You still need a written motivation, and DHA assesses whether any other consent is needed in your case.
The father has no contact and pays no maintenance. Can I change the surname without his consent?
Not without a court order. Parental responsibility does not end because of absence or non-payment. You need his written consent or a High Court order dispensing with it.
Can my child have a double-barrel surname?
Yes. Combining both parents’ surnames is a common solution when parents cannot agree on one. Submit it as the proposed new surname.
Will the name change affect my child’s passport?
Yes. After approval, apply for a new passport in the new name, because the old passport will not match the birth certificate. A child’s passport costs R600.
Can an adopted child’s name be changed this way?
No. Name changes for adopted children go through the adoption process under the Children’s Act, not Forms DHA-193 or DHA-85.
Can I apply at a bank branch?
No. Name changes are handled only at DHA branch offices. Bank branches offering Home Affairs services cannot process them.
Official DHA contact details
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| DHA Contact Centre | 0800 60 11 90 (toll-free) |
| DHA website | www.dha.gov.za |
| DHA email | info@dha.gov.za |