Form BI-1700 — What It Is and What to Do After You Receive It
What Is Form BI-1700?
Form BI-1700 is the acknowledgement of receipt issued by the Department of Home Affairs when you submit a customary marriage registration application.
You receive it on the day you submit Form BI-1699 at the DHA office or through a designated traditional leader. It confirms that DHA has received your application and that it is being processed.
It is not your marriage certificate. Keep it safely until your actual marriage certificate is issued.
What BI-1700 Is Not
This is the most common source of confusion around this form:
| Form BI-1700 | Marriage Certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | DHA on the day of submission | DHA after processing |
| What it confirms | Application received | Marriage registered in the NPR |
| Valid as proof of marriage | No | Yes |
| Required for bank, pension, estate | No | Yes |
The marriage certificate — abridged or unabridged — is the document you need for banks, pension funds, the Master of the High Court, insurance, and all other purposes. BI-1700 is an interim receipt only.
What Comes Next After BI-1700
Once you have received your BI-1700:
- DHA processes your application and captures your marriage in the National Population Register
- An abridged marriage certificate is issued — this is the standard SA marriage certificate for most purposes
- If you need an unabridged marriage certificate — for overseas use, immigration, visa applications, or apostille — apply separately at any DHA office. Processing takes 6 to 8 weeks.
See the unabridged marriage certificate guide for how to apply.
Keep Your BI-1700 Safely
Until your marriage certificate is issued, the BI-1700 is your only proof that you submitted the registration. Keep it:
- As evidence if DHA loses your application
- To follow up on processing status
- As a reference document if you need to query the DHA office
If you lose your BI-1700 before the marriage certificate is issued, contact the DHA office where you submitted your application and request confirmation of your submission.
If Your Marriage Certificate Has Not Arrived
If you submitted your customary marriage registration and received BI-1700 but have not received your marriage certificate:
- Contact the DHA office where you submitted — have your BI-1700 reference details ready
- Call the DHA Contact Centre on 0800 60 11 90
- Email hacc@dha.gov.za with your ID number and BI-1700 details
DHA does not publish a specific processing timeline for customary marriage registrations. If several weeks have passed with no update, follow up directly with the office.
Related Guides and Forms
- Customary Marriage Registration — Complete Guide
- Form BI-1699 — Registration of Customary Marriage
- How to Get a Marriage Certificate
- Unabridged Marriage Certificate
- Check Your Marital Status
- DHA Form Finder
DHA Contact Details
| DHA Contact Centre | 0800 60 11 90 |
| DHA Email | hacc@dha.gov.za |
| Appointment booking | services.dha.gov.za |