Form DHA-132 — Application for a Death Certificate
Download Form DHA-132
If the link above does not open: Visit dha.gov.za and search for DHA-132. Also referred to as BI-132.
What Is Form DHA-132?
Form DHA-132 — also called BI-132 — is the official Department of Home Affairs application form for obtaining a copy of a South African death certificate. It is used to apply for either an abridged death certificate or an unabridged (full) death certificate.
This form is not used to register a death. Deaths are registered using Form DHA-1663 (Notification of Death), which is completed by a medical practitioner and submitted to DHA at the time of death. Form DHA-132 is for obtaining copies of the certificate after the registration has already taken place.
When Is a Death Certificate Needed?
A death certificate is required for:
- Settling the deceased’s estate through the Master of the High Court
- Claiming life insurance or funeral benefits
- Applying for pension or provident fund death benefits
- Closing the deceased’s bank accounts
- Finalising property transfers
- Applying for survivor’s benefits at SARS, UIF, or SASSA
- Proof of death for a surviving spouse’s name change application
- Applying to remarry (proof of spouse’s death)
An abridged death certificate is issued automatically when a death is registered. DHA-132 is used when you need an additional copy, or when you need the unabridged (full) version.
Abridged vs Unabridged Death Certificate
Abridged death certificate: The standard computer printout issued by DHA after a death is registered. Contains the deceased’s name, ID number, date of death, and cause of death classification (natural or unnatural). Accepted for most domestic purposes.
Unabridged death certificate: The full certificate showing the deceased’s complete personal details, parents’ names, and additional registration information. Required for foreign estate administration, overseas insurance claims, and emigration of assets.
How to Complete Form DHA-132
Complete in black ink, block letters.
Deceased’s personal details: Full name of the deceased, their ID number, date of birth, and date of death.
Place of death: City, town, or province where the death occurred.
Type of certificate requested: Tick abridged or unabridged.
Applicant’s details: Your own full name, ID number, and your relationship to the deceased.
Purpose of request: Briefly state why you need the certificate (e.g. “estate administration”, “insurance claim”, “pension fund claim”).
Signature: Sign before submitting.
Documents to Bring With Your DHA-132
- Completed Form DHA-132
- Your own original South African ID and certified copy
- Proof of your relationship to the deceased if possible (marriage certificate, birth certificate showing family relationship, or letter from the executor of the estate)
- If available: the existing abridged death certificate or its registration number
Fees (2026)
| Certificate type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Abridged death certificate | R75 |
| Unabridged death certificate | R75 |
| First abridged certificate at time of registration | Free |
Processing Time
Applications submitted at a DHA branch inside South Africa: typically 6 to 8 weeks. Many offices can issue the abridged certificate faster if the records are accessible.
Applications involving deaths that occurred many years ago may take longer due to the time required to locate archived vault copies. In some cases, DHA cannot locate the original record — if this happens, you will be notified and advised on alternative approaches.
Important: DHA Filing System Warning
DHA’s death registration archives have known filing and retrieval problems for historical records (deaths registered more than 10 to 15 years ago). In some cases, original records are reported as “lost or missing” by DHA. If this happens:
- Request a formal written response from DHA confirming the record cannot be found
- This letter can be submitted to the Master of the High Court or insurance companies in place of the certificate
- Contact the DHA Contact Centre on 0800 60 11 90 to escalate
Deaths That Occurred Outside South Africa
If a South African citizen died abroad and the death was reported to a South African mission at the time, DHA should have a record. Contact the DHA Contact Centre with the deceased’s ID number to confirm whether a record exists before submitting DHA-132.
For deaths not yet reported to DHA, the process requires the foreign death certificate to be apostilled, translated into English if necessary, and submitted to a South African mission or DHA branch to register the death before a South African certificate can be issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is entitled to apply for a copy of someone’s death certificate? Any family member, executor of the estate, or legal representative with a legitimate interest can apply. DHA does not strictly verify the relationship before issuing abridged copies. For unabridged copies and vault copies, a clearer interest in the estate may be required.
The deceased died in 1980 — can I still get a certificate? Possibly. DHA holds historical records, but older records are more likely to have filing issues. Bring as much information as possible — full name, ID number (or date of birth and parents’ names if no ID number), and date and place of death.
I urgently need a death certificate for an estate matter — can I expedite? There is no official DHA fast-track process. The Master of the High Court accepts a copy of the original abridged death certificate (if one was issued at the time of registration) as an interim document in some circumstances. Ask the Master’s office directly.
Related Forms
- Form DHA-1663 — Notification of Death — completed by the medical practitioner at the time of death
- Form DHA-1680 — Death Report — issued by DHA after the death is registered
- Form DHA-196 — Surname Change (surviving spouse) — for reverting to birth surname after a spouse’s death