No, Home Affairs does not require a DNA test for every birth registration. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) asks for one only in specific situations, mainly when the parents are unmarried and one is not a South African citizen, or when a father registers a child without the mother. The applicant pays for the test.
Sources and limits: this guide draws on a DHA media statement, two replies by the Minister of Home Affairs to Parliament, a children’s rights guide from the Centre for Child Law and the South African Human Rights Commission, and reporting by GroundUp. We could not find one current DHA page that lists every situation, so where DHA’s wording reaches us through another source, we say so. Confirm with DHA before you pay for any test.
In summary
- Not every birth. In 2016 DHA called an online claim of compulsory DNA testing for new births a hoax. A DNA test is a last resort, not a routine step.
- When DHA may ask. Late birth registration with unmarried parents where one is not South African, an unmarried father registering without the mother, a non-South African man recorded as a father, a third party replacing a father’s details, and some citizenship by descent applications.
- Who pays. The applicant pays. The Minister told Parliament in 2022 that DHA has no fee waiver, because NHLS (the National Health Laboratory Service) sets the tariffs.
- Reported cost. The Centre for Child Law and SAHRC guide put NHLS testing at R750 per person in 2023. Private legal tests are reported at R1,932 per person and upwards. Prices change, so ask the lab.
- Must be a legal test. It needs a lab that meets DHA’s chain-of-custody rules. Call the DHA Contact Centre on 0800 60 11 90 before you book.
- If DHA loses your results. Get written confirmation, then escalate through the Contact Centre and hacc@dha.gov.za, and keep records. The steps are further down.
- Court rulings protect you. In the Naki case (2018) the court held that a birth must still be registered, even where a parent lacks valid documents.
When does Home Affairs ask for a DNA test
DHA has no single published list. Putting together what DHA, the Minister and civil society organisations have said, these are the situations that come up.
| Situation | What the sources say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Late registration of birth (after 30 days), parents unmarried and one parent not South African | DHA may ask for a DNA test. A panel may also interview the parents. | DHA guidance as reported by GroundUp and Scalabrini |
| An unmarried South African father registering a child, or parents of different citizenship, especially when the mother is not there | The father can be referred to NHLS for DNA proof. In practice it is asked for when the mother has died, is unwilling or cannot attend. | Centre for Child Law and SAHRC guide (2023), citing DHA Circular 5 of 2014 |
| A non-South African man recorded as the father of a child born outside marriage | DHA requires the results of a paternity test under the 2014 Births and Deaths Regulations. DHA says this applies to non-South Africans. | DHA media statement, 14 September 2016 |
| A third party applying to replace the recorded father’s details on a birth certificate | The applicant must submit a paternity test. | DHA media statement, 14 September 2016 |
| A birth registered more than 30 days after it happened, where an unmarried father registers the child | In a briefing on unmarried fathers registering their children, DHA told Parliament that conclusive proof of paternity may be required. | Parliamentary Monitoring Group report |
| Citizenship by descent where the birth was not registered under the Births and Deaths Registration Act | The requirements include proof of paternity or DNA tests for applicants aged 15 and older. | GroundUp, listing DHA requirements |
DHA Circular 5 of 2014 is described by the Centre for Child Law and SAHRC as requiring DNA proof only when the parents are not married and one is South African and the other is not. We have not seen the circular itself. See our late birth registration guide for the full process and documents.
When DHA says it does not ask for one
- New births registered within 30 days. In September 2016 DHA said an online article claiming compulsory DNA testing for new births was a hoax, and that the Minister had given no such interview.
- Unmarried parents who later marry. If both parents are already recorded and the child’s profile shows them as unmarried, DHA said the law allows the marital status to be updated without a paternity test.
- As a first step. Civil society organisations describe DNA tests as a last resort. DHA’s 2016 statement says the paternity test requirement exists to stop men who are not the biological father being recorded as fathers and then using that to apply for permanent residence.
The 2016 statement is old. Check with DHA whether anything has changed.
Is a DNA test compulsory
We found no law that says every parent must be tested. When DHA does ask, the application usually stalls until the result arrives, so you need to treat the request seriously. Ask DHA in writing which situation it says applies to you, and who it wants tested. If the request seems wrong for your facts, a legal aid organisation can help (contacts below).
How a DNA test for Home Affairs works
- Ask DHA what it needs. Find out who must be tested (the child, the mother, the father or other relatives) and which labs it accepts. Call the DHA Contact Centre on 0800 60 11 90.
- Use a legal test. Labs distinguish between peace-of-mind tests and legal tests. One lab told GroundUp that legal tests are the ones needed for Home Affairs birth registration and amendments.
- Pick a lab that meets DHA’s chain-of-custody rules. NHLS and some private labs offer legal tests. Not every commercial provider meets DHA’s requirements.
- Give your sample with an independent sampler. Under a chain-of-custody procedure, a sampler collects the samples, acts as a witness and makes sure every step is followed, according to GroundUp. Each person tested gives written consent.
- Make sure the result reaches the right office. Ask the lab and DHA how results will be sent to the office handling your application, and note the date.
- Keep records. Keep receipts, reference numbers, letters, emails and the date and name of everyone you speak to.
Who pays and what it costs
The applicant pays. DHA does not fund the test.
| What | Reported cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| NHLS DNA test | R750 per person tested, so at least R1,500 for two people | Centre for Child Law and SAHRC guide (2023) |
| Private lab, legal kinship test | R1,932 per person | Reported by GroundUp quoting a lab |
| Private lab, legal paternity test kit | R4,795 | Reported by GroundUp quoting a provider |
These are reported figures from different dates. We could not confirm the current NHLS tariff, so ask the lab for a written quote before you pay.
Is there a fee waiver
In September 2022 the Minister told Parliament that no waiver process exists, because NHLS administers the fees and tariffs. DHA and the Department of Health were exploring free or low-cost paternity tests for indigent clients. In November 2023 the Minister said DHA was engaging the Department of Health and NHLS and that a revised agreement had been prepared. We could not confirm whether free or low-cost testing is now available, so ask DHA.
Where to get a DNA test for Home Affairs
- NHLS. It has sampling centres around the country. Check the NHLS website for the nearest one.
- A private lab offering legal tests. Ask it to confirm in writing that its test meets Home Affairs chain-of-custody requirements.
- Not a home kit. A kit you use yourself is a peace-of-mind test. It does not give you an independent sampler, so confirm with DHA before you buy one.
What to do if Home Affairs says it lost your DNA results
- Get it in writing. Ask the office handling your application for your reference number and written confirmation that the results cannot be found.
- Contact DHA formally. Call the Contact Centre on 0800 60 11 90, then email hacc@dha.gov.za with your reference number, the date of the test, the testing provider and the office.
- Contact the lab. Ask whether it still holds the results and can confirm when and to whom they were sent.
- Keep records. Keep copies of every receipt, letter and email.
- Escalate if there is no answer. If you hear nothing within 30 working days, write to the branch manager and consider the Public Protector (0800 112 040) or one of the legal aid organisations below.
- Ask whether a repeat test is needed. Ask DHA who must pay for it if the loss was on its side.
We found no published DHA procedure for lost DNA results, so these are practical steps, not an official process. See also our guide to the lost or damaged birth certificate.
If the lab or DHA asks for a second test
GroundUp’s advice column explains that a repeat test can follow when the first sample was of poor quality or the result was inconclusive. Ask DHA in writing why a second test is needed and who is expected to pay for it.
What if you cannot afford the test
- Children’s Court. The Centre for Child Law and SAHRC guide says a father who cannot pay can apply to a Children’s Court for a paternity order under section 26 of the Children’s Act, or for an order recognising his parental rights and responsibilities under section 21.
- Legal help. Lawyers for Human Rights, the Scalabrini Centre, the Centre for Child Law and Legal Aid South Africa all work on documentation cases.
- SAHRC. The South African Human Rights Commission has a child-friendly complaints procedure at its provincial offices.
- Ask DHA about free or low-cost testing. See the fee waiver section above.
Your rights and the courts
- The Naki judgment (2018). In Centre for Child Law v Director-General of Home Affairs, the Eastern Cape High Court found the late registration requirements unlawful where they excluded children, and held that a birth must still be registered even where a parent has no valid passport or visa. The documents of both parents must be presented only “where possible”, so an application must still be accepted and considered.
- A 2020 court order on DNA costs. Daily Maverick reported in January 2020 that a court had ordered DHA to register 24 children in towns bordering Lesotho without making their parents pay for DNA tests, and to cover travel, accommodation and DNA test costs if it required them. The report said DHA had not complied for nine months.
- The Constitution. Section 28 gives every child the right to a name and a nationality from birth.
Official contacts
| Who | Contact |
|---|---|
| DHA Contact Centre | 0800 60 11 90 |
| DHA Contact Centre email | hacc@dha.gov.za |
| Public Protector | 0800 112 040 |
| Lawyers for Human Rights | 012 320 2943 |
| Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town | 021 465 6433 |
| Centre for Child Law (University of Pretoria) | 012 420 4502 |
| Legal Aid South Africa | legal-aid.co.za |
The legal organisations’ numbers come from the 2023 Centre for Child Law and SAHRC guide. Confirm them before you call.
Frequently asked questions
Does Home Affairs require a DNA test for birth registration?
Not for every birth. In 2016 DHA called an online claim of compulsory DNA testing for new births a hoax. It asks for a test only in specific situations, such as late registration with unmarried parents where one is not South African.
When does Home Affairs ask for a DNA test?
DHA may ask when the parents are unmarried and one is not South African, when an unmarried father registers without the mother, when a non-South African man is recorded as a father, when a third party replaces a recorded father, and in some citizenship by descent applications.
Is a DNA test compulsory for an unmarried father to register his child?
There is no rule we found that makes it compulsory for every unmarried father. The Centre for Child Law and SAHRC guide says DNA proof is asked for in practice when the father registers without the mother and, under DHA Circular 5 of 2014, when one parent is South African and the other is not.
Who pays for the DNA test?
The applicant pays. The Minister told Parliament in 2022 that DHA has no fee waiver process because NHLS sets the tariffs, although DHA and the Department of Health have been exploring free or low-cost tests for indigent clients.
How much does a DNA test for Home Affairs cost?
The Centre for Child Law and SAHRC guide put NHLS testing at R750 per person in 2023. GroundUp reports private legal tests from R1,932 per person to R4,795 for a paternity kit. Ask the lab for a written quote.
Where can I do a DNA test for Home Affairs?
At NHLS sampling centres or a private lab offering legal tests that meet DHA’s chain-of-custody rules. Call the DHA Contact Centre on 0800 60 11 90 to confirm which providers it accepts before you book.
Can I use a home DNA test kit?
Check with DHA first. A kit you use yourself is a peace-of-mind test and has no independent sampler, while DHA requires a chain-of-custody legal test.
What if Home Affairs lost my DNA test results?
Get written confirmation that they cannot be found, then contact the DHA Contact Centre and hacc@dha.gov.za with your reference number and test details. Contact the lab, keep records, and escalate to the branch manager or the Public Protector if you hear nothing within 30 working days.
What if I cannot afford a DNA test?
A father who cannot pay can apply to a Children’s Court for a paternity order or a parental rights order, and legal aid organisations can help. Also ask DHA whether free or low-cost testing is now available.
Is there a fee waiver for DNA tests at Home Affairs?
None existed in September 2022, according to the Minister’s reply to Parliament. DHA said it was working with the Department of Health and NHLS on a free or low-cost option, and a revised agreement had been prepared by November 2023. Ask DHA for the current position.
Can I register my child without both parents present?
Yes, in many cases. In the Naki judgment of 2018 the court held that a birth must still be registered even where a parent has no valid documents, and that both parents’ documents are required only where possible. Expect DHA to ask questions, and possibly for a DNA test.
What is the Naki judgment?
Centre for Child Law v Director-General of Home Affairs (Eastern Cape High Court, 2018) found the late birth registration requirements unlawful where they excluded children. A late birth application must still be accepted and considered even if a parent has no valid documents.
Do I need a DNA test for citizenship by descent?
Only in some cases. GroundUp’s list of DHA requirements for a person born abroad to a South African parent whose birth was not registered under the Births and Deaths Registration Act includes proof of paternity or DNA tests for applicants aged 15 and over.
Why would DHA ask for a second DNA test?
GroundUp explains that a repeat test can follow when the first sample was of poor quality or the result was inconclusive. Ask DHA in writing why it needs a second test and who must pay.
Do unmarried parents need a DNA test if they later marry?
No, in the case DHA described in 2016. If both parents are already recorded and the child’s profile shows them as unmarried, the law allows the marital status to be updated on marriage without a paternity test.