How to Update Both Your Name and Gender Marker at Home Affairs in South Africa
The Two Legal Processes
Changing your gender marker and changing your forename are two separate legal processes governed by different Acts. They cannot be submitted simultaneously and each takes 6 to 9 months.
| Process | Governing law | Forms | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gender marker change | Alteration of Sex Description and Sex Status Act 49 of 2003 | BI-526 + BI-9 + DHA-24 (×2) | R70 |
| Forename change | Births and Deaths Registration Act 51 of 1992, Section 24(1) | DHA-85 + BI-9 + DHA-24 (×2) | R140 |
Do not apply for both at the same time. Multiple advocacy organisations consistently report that simultaneous submissions cause processing delays, file confusion at Head Office, and rejection of one or both applications. Apply for one, wait for it to be complete, then apply for the other.
Who Can Apply for a Gender Marker Change
Section 2(1) of Act 49 of 2003 allows three categories of people to apply:
- Anyone whose sexual characteristics have been altered by surgical or medical treatment resulting in gender reassignment — surgery is not required; hormone therapy qualifies
- Anyone whose sexual characteristics have evolved naturally — natural intersex development
- Intersex persons — must also submit a psychological report confirming they have lived for two years with their chosen gender identity
If a DHA official tells you that you need surgery: this is incorrect. Act 49 explicitly covers medical treatment and hormone therapy is medical treatment. All DHA offices are legally required to assist you under Act 49. If you are refused based on lack of surgery, ask to speak to the branch manager. Contact Be True 2 Me for support.
What You Need: Gender Marker Change
Medical letters — the central requirement
- Two letters from two separate medical professionals — two different practitioners or practices; not two letters from the same practice
- Each letter must confirm you have undergone or are undergoing gender-affirming medical treatment
- Use two medical doctors where possible — letters from psychologists and nurses have sometimes been refused in practice despite arguably qualifying under the Act
Supporting documents
- Current Smart ID card or green ID book (original)
- Unabridged birth certificate (vault copy preferred; abridged available at DHA for R20 while you wait)
- Your two medical letters
- Two colour ID photographs — 35mm × 45mm, full face, head and shoulders, no glasses, clear forehead
- R70 cash in exact change
- If currently or previously married: marriage certificate or divorce decree
Forms (collected at the DHA branch on the day — not downloadable)
- BI-526 — completed twice: once marked OLD with your current/assigned gender, once marked NEW with your affirmed gender
- BI-9 — full fingerprints and photograph form (not downloadable; also available from police stations)
- DHA-24 — two barcoded copies (not downloadable)
Complete all forms in block letters, black ink. Do not sign before the official — forms must be signed in their presence.
Photograph every form after it has been stamped. DHA has no automatic notification system and applications are sometimes lost. Your stamped photographs are your best protection.
Not sure what documents to take to Home Affairs? Click Here To Use our free checklist and walk in fully prepared.
What You Need: Forename Change
Processed under Section 24(1) of the Births and Deaths Registration Act — the same process as any adult forename change.
Documents
- Current Smart ID or ID book
- Unabridged birth certificate
- Written motivation explaining the reason for the forename change
- Evidence of usage of the new forename (utility bills, bank statements, employer letters, medical records)
- R140 in exact change
- Two colour ID photographs
Form
DHA-85 (Application for Alteration of Forename) — available at DHA branches and downloadable from dha.gov.za
Full guide: How to Change Your First Name or Surname at Home Affairs
Submitting Your Application
Where: Any DHA branch office. Bank branches offering DHA services cannot process gender marker or forename changes — DHA branch only.
Booking: Use BABS at services.dha.gov.za to book an appointment. Larger DHA offices have a dedicated amendments desk. Ask for the amendments section when you arrive — not the general ID queue.
At submission: the official completes the forms with you, takes your fingerprints and photographs, you pay in cash, and you receive a reference number and receipt. Photograph everything after stamping.
Your application is sent to DHA Head Office in Pretoria for all further processing.
Processing Time and Follow-Up
Each process takes 6 to 9 months. DHA does not automatically notify you when your application is complete.
Follow up by calling 0800 60 11 90 approximately 6 months after submission. Ask whether your application has been processed at Head Office and whether your new details are in the Population Register.
For delays beyond 9 months, see: Name Change Taking Too Long — What to Do
If Your Application Is Refused
The Director-General is legally required to provide written reasons for any refusal.
Appeal process:
- You have 14 days from the refusal letter to lodge an appeal with the Minister of Home Affairs
- Include all original application materials plus the DG’s written reasons for refusal
- If the ministerial appeal is denied, you may apply to the Magistrate’s Court
Common unlawful refusal grounds you can challenge:
- Requiring proof of surgery (not required under Act 49)
- Rejecting letters from qualified practitioners on technical grounds
- Refusing to accept that hormone therapy constitutes medical treatment
Support organisations:
- Be True 2 Me — non-profit supporting SA transgender and gender-diverse people; can assist with following up with DHA
- Triangle Project (Cape Town) — 021 712 6699 — LGBTQI+ human rights organisation; publishes the detailed Legal Gender Recognition Guide
- Gender Dynamix — transgender rights advocacy
- Legal Resources Centre — legal support and advocacy
After Approval: Your New ID Number
A gender marker change results in a new SA ID number. Your ID number encodes gender in digits 7–10 (0000–4999 female, 5000–9999 male). Every institution holding records under your old number needs to be updated.
Immediate steps
- Obtain your abridged birth certificate with the new details — R20 at DHA once the change is confirmed in the Population Register
- Apply for a new Smart ID at any DHA Live Capture office — R140 — your old ID is surrendered at this point
- Request the DHA linking letter — this letter from DHA confirms your old and new ID numbers belong to the same person. It is the single most critical document for updating all downstream records. Keep the original permanently.
- Apply for a new passport when ready — R600. You can travel on your old passport with your new ID and linking letter as supporting documentation in the interim.
Records to update using the linking letter
- Bank accounts — present new ID and linking letter at each bank
- SARS / eFiling registration — update at a SARS branch or via eFiling
- Employer and HR records — they will update pension and insurance downstream
- Medical aid
- Voter registration — IEC office or elections.org.za
- Driver’s licence — not required until expiry; carry new ID alongside old licence in the interim
- Matric certificate — apply via DBE/PED (R210, 4–6 weeks)
- Professional registrations — contact each body directly
- Will and testament — update with your attorney
University degrees: Most SA universities do not reissue degree certificates in a new name. They will generally issue a letter or certified copy noting the legal name change alongside the original certificate. Contact the registrar or alumni office of your institution directly.
Marriage: Multiple High Court rulings confirm DHA must keep your marriage intact through a gender marker change. After the process is complete, verify your marital status on your new ID. If your marriage incorrectly shows as dissolved, contact DHA immediately.
Limitations of Current SA Law — and What Is Changing
Binary system only (current): South Africa’s population register currently uses M or F only. Your ID number encodes sex in digits 7–10 (0000–4999 female, 5000–9999 male), and changing that digit requires proof of medical treatment under Act 49 of 2003. There is currently no legal provision for a non-binary or third gender marker.
Reform in progress: DHA published a draft National Identity Policy for public comment in 2021 proposing significant changes. The proposed reforms include:
- Gender-neutral ID numbers — randomised numbers that do not encode sex, gender, or date of birth
- ‘X’ gender marker — an option for non-binary, intersex, and transgender persons indicating “unspecified”
- Broader reform of how gender is recorded across all official documents to reduce discrimination against transgender, non-binary, and intersex persons
DHA is currently building the National Identity System (NIS) required to support these changes. Civil society organisations including Iranti and the Commission for Gender Equality have welcomed the proposals as consistent with constitutional rights. No confirmed implementation date exists as of 2026 — the new system is not yet in effect and the binary M/F system with the medical treatment requirement under Act 49 remains in force until it is.
Medical treatment requirement: Under current law, the Act requires active engagement in gender-affirming medical treatment. People who do not want to pursue medical treatment are excluded from legal gender recognition. The proposed X marker, once enacted, would remove this barrier for non-binary and intersex persons.
Citizens and permanent residents only: Act 49 operates through amendments to the Birth Register and cannot be applied to asylum seekers or refugees who were not registered at birth in South Africa.
Fees Summary
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Gender marker change | R70 |
| Forename change | R140 |
| Abridged birth certificate (new details) | R20 |
| Smart ID (new number) | R140 |
| Passport (new number) | R600 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need surgery to change my gender marker in South Africa?
No. Act 49 covers surgical or medical treatment — hormone therapy qualifies. Officials demanding proof of surgery are applying the Act incorrectly.
Can I change my gender marker and forename at the same time?
No. Apply for one at a time. Simultaneous submissions consistently cause delays and rejections. Each process takes 6–9 months.
What if my application is refused?
The DG must give written reasons. You have 14 days to appeal to the Minister of Home Affairs. If the ministerial appeal fails, apply to the Magistrate’s Court.
Will I get a new ID number?
Yes. Gender is encoded in your SA ID number, so a gender marker change produces a new number. The DHA linking letter is essential — keep it permanently.
What happens to my marriage?
High Court rulings confirm DHA must keep your marriage intact. Verify your marital status on the new ID after completion — errors have occurred.
Can I get a non-binary marker?
Not under current law. SA uses binary M/F only. However, DHA published a draft National Identity Policy in 2021 proposing an ‘X’ marker for non-binary, intersex, and transgender persons, and is building the National Identity System (NIS) to support it. No implementation date has been confirmed as of 2026.
Support Organisations
| Organisation | Contact |
|---|---|
| Be True 2 Me | betrue2me.org |
| Triangle Project (Cape Town) | triangle.org.za / 021 712 6699 |
| Gender Dynamix | genderdynamix.org.za |
| Legal Resources Centre | lrc.org.za |
Key DHA Contact Details
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| DHA Contact Centre | 0800 60 11 90 (toll-free, Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00) |
| DHA email | info@dha.gov.za |
| DHA Ministerial Hotline | 0800 20 44 76 (toll-free) |
| DHA appointment booking | services.dha.gov.za |
Related Guides
- Name Change South Africa: All Your Options
- How to Change Your First Name or Surname at Home Affairs
- Name Change Taking Too Long — What to Do
- How to Apply for a Smart ID
- How to Apply for a South African Passport
- How to Book a Home Affairs Appointment Online
Information on this page reflects South African law and DHA processes as of 2026. The law in this area is subject to ongoing reform. Always verify current requirements with DHA or a support organisation before proceeding.