How To Renounce Your South African Citizenship
Renouncing South African citizenship is a permanent legal act. Once your declaration is registered at DHA, you stop being a South African citizen. There is a path back — but it requires returning to SA permanently and starting the resumption process from scratch.
Most people who renounce do so because another country requires it as a condition of their naturalisation. This is not a SA law requirement. South Africa permits dual citizenship. The requirement to renounce comes from the other country’s rules — not from DHA.
If renunciation is genuinely what you need, here is the full process.
Do You Actually Need to Renounce?
Before completing any forms, check this first.
Since the May 2025 Constitutional Court ruling, South Africa no longer requires you to give up SA citizenship when you acquire citizenship of another country. SA allows dual citizenship. You can hold both.
The countries that require you to renounce your SA citizenship as part of their naturalisation process include Germany, Japan, Austria, Singapore, and certain others. If you are naturalising in one of those countries, renunciation is their requirement — not DHA’s.
If the country you are naturalising in allows dual citizenship, you do not need to renounce. You apply for the retention of SA citizenship process instead — or, following the 2025 ruling, you may simply retain SA citizenship automatically. Confirm with your specific country’s immigration authority before proceeding.
Renunciation is for people who have confirmed that their new country genuinely requires it.
Eligibility
You can apply for renunciation if:
- You are a South African citizen (by birth, descent, or naturalisation)
- You already hold, or are in the process of obtaining, citizenship of another country
- Renunciation will not leave you stateless — DHA will not approve an application that results in statelessness
You cannot renounce and remain without any citizenship. Proof of your foreign citizenship, or a confirmed undertaking that you are in the process of obtaining it, must accompany your application.
Forms Required
Form DHA-246 (also BI-246) — Declaration of Renunciation of South African Citizenship
- Download two original copies per applicant — do not photocopy one completed form; both must be original completions
- Complete fully in black ink
- The form asks for: personal details, your current SA citizenship basis, your foreign citizenship details, your marital status and spouse’s details, your reasons for renunciation, and details of any minor children you are including
Form DHA-529 — Determination of Citizenship Status
- Complete in black ink and block letters
- Answer every question — do not write “N/A”
- Part A questions 9, 10, and 11 are critical
- Parts C and D both require full parent details including ID numbers
- Part E: mobile number and email address mandatory
Documents Checklist
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Form DHA-246 | 2 originals per applicant — no photocopies |
| Form DHA-529 | Fully completed, black ink, block letters |
| Original SA passport and/or SA ID book/card | Original, not copy |
| Copy of birth certificate or old SA passport | Certified copy |
| Proof of foreign citizenship | Naturalisation certificate or citizenship certificate issued by the foreign government — must show how and when citizenship was obtained |
| SA marriage certificate | If applicable |
| Naturalisation certificate (BI-64E) | If you are a naturalised SA citizen |
| Retention/exemption letter | If you acquired foreign citizenship as an adult after 6 October 1995 and applied for one |
| If documents are not in English | Certified translation required |
For minor children being included:
- Section 11 of the parent’s DHA-246 completed in full
- Signed consent letter from both parents
- Child’s SA unabridged birth certificate
- Child’s SA passport (if issued)
- Proof of child’s foreign citizenship or that it is being obtained
Only include children who are registered SA citizens. If a child is not registered as an SA citizen, do not include them on the form.
Where to Apply
In South Africa: Submit at your nearest DHA live capture office.
Abroad: Submit at your nearest South African mission (embassy, high commission, or consulate). Applications submitted abroad are sent to DHA Head Office in Pretoria via the diplomatic bag — typically monthly. Allow time for this in your timeline.
All supporting documents submitted via a mission must be certified by an authorised Commissioner of Oaths (or notarised, as required by that mission).
Processing Time
- In South Africa: varies — typically several months
- Via SA mission abroad: 12–18 months is the standard processing window
Do not contact the mission or DHA to follow up until at least 12 months have passed after lodging.
Once your application is approved, your declaration of renunciation is registered at DHA Head Office in Pretoria. At that point, you cease to be a South African citizen. DHA issues a certificate confirming the renunciation.
What Happens When You Renounce
You cease to be a South African citizen from the date the declaration is registered at DHA Pretoria.
Your SA passport and Smart ID are no longer valid — you must surrender or stop using them. Using a SA passport after renouncing citizenship is an offence.
Your right to live and work in South Africa changes. If you were a citizen by birth or descent, you retain the right to permanent residence in South Africa even after renunciation — you are not required to hold a visa to enter SA as a visitor. If you were a naturalised citizen, you do not retain automatic permanent residence and would need to apply for a permit to reside or work in SA.
Your voting rights in South Africa are revoked.
Your children’s citizenship is not automatically affected unless you specifically included them in the renunciation application with the required consent.
Can You Get It Back?
Yes — through Resumption of Citizenship, but it is not a simple reversal.
To resume SA citizenship you must return to South Africa and take up permanent residence here permanently. Citizens who renounced by birth or descent retain the right to permanent residence, which is the starting point for resumption. Naturalised citizens who renounced must first re-apply for permanent residence before they can apply for resumption.
Resumption is a full application to DHA — it is not automatic, it is not fast, and it is not available to people living abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Germany told me I must renounce my SA citizenship before they will naturalise me. Is that correct? Yes — Germany requires applicants to give up other citizenships as a condition of German naturalisation in most cases. This is Germany’s requirement under German citizenship law, not a DHA requirement. SA would allow you to keep both. But if German law requires renunciation, DHA will process your renunciation application.
Can I apply for renunciation before I have my foreign citizenship? You can submit an application if you are in the process of obtaining foreign citizenship — with a confirmation letter from the relevant foreign authority confirming you are applying and that citizenship will be granted. DHA will not process a renunciation that would leave you stateless.
What happens to my SA bank accounts, property, and pension after I renounce? These are not automatically affected by citizenship status. SA permanent residents and non-residents can own property and hold bank accounts under SA law. However, financial reporting obligations to SARS and cross-border capital movements may be affected. Consult a tax adviser and financial planner before renouncing.
I was naturalised in SA and now want to renounce. Do I need my naturalisation certificate? Yes. Naturalised citizens must include their naturalisation certificate (BI-64E) in the application. If you have lost your certificate, see the replacement naturalisation certificate guide first.
My spouse is not renouncing. Will this affect their SA citizenship? No. Renunciation only affects the person who applies. Your spouse retains their SA citizenship independently of your renunciation.
I renounced 10 years ago and now want to come back to live in SA. What are my options? If you were a citizen by birth or descent before renouncing, you have the right to permanent residence in SA. Apply for permanent residence at a DHA office or SA mission abroad, then — once permanently resident — apply for Resumption of Citizenship. The path back exists but it takes time.
Contact Details
| DHA Contact Centre | 0800 60 11 90 |
| DHA Email | hacc@dha.gov.za |
| DHA Application Portal | services.dha.gov.za |
| SA Missions abroad | dirco.gov.za |
Related Guides
- Resumption of SA Citizenship
- Dual Citizenship in South Africa
- Retention of SA Citizenship
- Determination of Citizenship Status
- Replacement Naturalisation Certificate