How To Register South African Citizenship By Birth
Being born in South Africa does not automatically make you a South African citizen. Many people assume it does — it doesn’t.
SA citizenship law is based primarily on parentage, not place of birth. Where you were born matters less than who your parents are and what their status was at the time of your birth.
Here is exactly how citizenship by birth works, who qualifies, and what you need to do to register it.
The Three Scenarios
Scenario 1: At Least One Parent Is a South African Citizen
This is the clearest case. If either parent — mother or father — was a South African citizen at the time of your birth, you are a South African citizen by birth. This applies:
- Whether you were born inside or outside South Africa
- Whether your parents were married or not at the time of your birth
- Whether you also hold citizenship of another country
Under the South African Citizenship Amendment Act 17 of 2010 (which came into operation on 1 January 2013), this rule was extended to cover children born abroad. Before this amendment, children born outside SA to SA citizen parents had to apply for citizenship by descent. That distinction is now gone — a child born abroad to at least one SA citizen parent qualifies for citizenship by birth once the birth is registered.
One important date to know: For children born before 6 October 1995, the rule was stricter — the mother had to be a South African citizen at the time of birth. For births on or after 6 October 1995, either parent qualifies.
Scenario 2: Born in South Africa and at Least One Parent Is a Permanent Resident
If you were born in South Africa and neither parent is an SA citizen, but at least one parent holds a valid South African Permanent Residence Permit at the time of your birth, you qualify for citizenship by birth — but with a condition:
You must remain in South Africa from the date of your birth until you turn 18.
If you leave South Africa permanently before age 18, you lose the entitlement. If you stay, you are a South African citizen by birth once your birth is registered.
This rule exists to prevent citizenship tourism — the idea is that the connection to South Africa must be real and continuous, not just a matter of where you happened to be born.
Scenario 3: Born in South Africa With No Other Nationality (Stateless)
If you were born in South Africa, your birth was registered in South Africa, and you have no right to any other country’s citizenship or nationality, you qualify for South African citizenship by birth.
This provision exists to prevent statelessness. A child should not be left without any citizenship simply because their parents are undocumented or from a country that does not pass citizenship to children born abroad.
In practice, this is a narrow and often contested category. DHA may need to verify that the child genuinely has no claim to any other nationality. Cases involving undocumented foreign nationals can be complex and may require legal assistance.
What About Children Born to Parents in SA Government Service Abroad?
A child born outside South Africa whose parents were, at the time of birth, in the service of the South African Government or a South African statutory body also qualifies for citizenship by birth. The same applies if the parents were employees of a South African-registered person or company, or in service of an international organisation of which the SA Government is a member.
This category covers diplomats, embassy staff, government officials posted abroad, and certain other civil servants.
How to Register a Birth and Claim Citizenship
Citizenship does not register itself. Even if your child clearly qualifies, you must register the birth with DHA to formalise the citizenship. An unregistered birth means no SA ID number, no passport, no citizenship documents.
Born in South Africa
Register at your nearest DHA office. Ideally within 30 days of birth, though late registration is possible.
Documents needed:
- Form BI-24 (DHA-24) completed in black ink — the SA citizen parent must endorse it
- Hospital birth record or clinic card
- SA parent’s ID document or passport (original and certified copy)
- Non-SA parent’s passport or identity document (if applicable)
- Parents’ marriage certificate (if applicable)
- If parents are not married: both parents may be required to be present, or an affidavit from the father acknowledging paternity if the child is to be registered under the father’s surname
Once registered, an unabridged birth certificate is issued. This is your child’s primary proof of citizenship by birth.
Born Abroad to at Least One SA Citizen Parent
Register the birth through Foreign Birth Registration at the nearest SA mission (embassy, high commission, or consulate), or at a DHA office in South Africa.
Documents needed (typically):
- Form BI-24 completed and endorsed by the SA citizen parent
- Form DHA-529 (Determination of Citizenship — required for the SA parent)
- Original foreign birth certificate (notarised or apostilled if required by the mission)
- SA citizen parent’s ID document or valid passport
- Non-SA parent’s passport and/or identity document
- Parents’ marriage certificate (original or notarised copy)
- If not married: notarised letter of consent from the non-SA parent for the child’s birth to be registered in South Africa
Processing time for foreign birth registration is typically 4–12 weeks.
Once registered, the child can apply for a South African passport. Both parents must consent — either in person at the DHA office or mission, or by sworn affidavit if one parent cannot attend.
Born Before 6 October 1995 — Different Rules Apply
If you were born before the current Citizenship Act came into force on 6 October 1995, different rules applied:
- Only the mother’s SA citizenship at birth conferred citizenship on the child — not the father’s
- Children born to an SA citizen father and a non-SA mother before this date did not automatically qualify
If you believe you may qualify under the pre-1995 rules, apply for a Determination of Citizenship (Form DHA-529) to get DHA’s formal assessment of your status.
What Citizenship by Birth Does NOT Cover
Children born in SA to two undocumented foreign nationals do not acquire SA citizenship simply by being born here, unless they have no other nationality (Scenario 3 above). SA law follows the principle that a child follows the citizenship of their parents. Birth in SA alone is not enough.
Children born to parents on temporary visas (work permits, visitor’s visas, study permits) do not qualify. The parent must be a citizen or a permanent resident — not a temporary permit holder.
A child born abroad to a South African permanent resident (not a citizen) does not qualify. The permanent residency route only applies to children born inside South Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
My child was born in South Africa and I have permanent residence. Do I need to do anything for them to get citizenship? Yes. Citizenship is not automatic — you must register the birth. Submit Form BI-24 to your nearest DHA office. Your child must then remain in South Africa until they turn 18. At that point their citizenship by birth is confirmed. If you leave South Africa permanently before your child turns 18, they may lose the entitlement.
Both my parents are South African citizens but I was born abroad and my birth was never registered. Am I still a citizen? You likely qualify, but your citizenship is not formalised until the birth is registered. Apply for Foreign Birth Registration at the nearest SA mission or at a DHA office in South Africa. Your parents’ SA citizenship at the time of your birth is the key fact.
My father is South African but my mother is not. I was born in 1990. Do I qualify? Under the rules that applied before 6 October 1995, only the mother’s SA citizenship conferred citizenship on the child. Your father’s citizenship alone would not have qualified you under the pre-1995 rules. Apply for a Determination of Citizenship to get DHA’s formal assessment — your specific circumstances may include other qualifying factors.
My child was born in South Africa but I’m on a work permit, not permanent residence. Do they qualify? No. Work permits and other temporary visa categories do not meet the permanent residence requirement. Your child does not acquire SA citizenship by birth in this situation. They hold your nationality. If your family plans to remain long-term, the path to your child’s eventual SA citizenship runs through you qualifying for permanent residence first.
Can a stateless child born in South Africa get citizenship even if their parents are undocumented? Yes, in principle — if the child truly has no right to any other citizenship. This is a complex situation. Contact the DHA Contact Centre or seek legal advice to understand the process for your specific case.
Contact Details
| DHA Contact Centre | 0800 60 11 90 |
| DHA Email | hacc@dha.gov.za |
| DHA Application Portal | services.dha.gov.za |
Related Guides
- Citizenship by Descent
- Citizenship for Adopted Children
- Children Born in SA to Foreign Parents
- Determination of Citizenship Status
- How to Apply for a Smart ID
- How to Apply for a South African Passport