Form DHA-154 — Application for a Birth Certificate
Download Form DHA-154 from dha.gov.za
If the link above does not open: Visit dha.gov.za and search for DHA-154. Do not download from third-party sites — outdated versions may be rejected.
What Is Form DHA-154?
Form DHA-154 is the official Department of Home Affairs form for applying for a copy of a South African birth certificate. It is also referred to as BI-154 — both names refer to the same form.
You use this form when you need either an abridged birth certificate (the standard short-form certificate issued for most purposes) or an unabridged birth certificate (the full certificate showing both parents’ details, required for international use, foreign visa applications, dual citizenship, and many emigration processes).
Abridged vs Unabridged — Which Do You Need?
Abridged birth certificate: The standard two-sided computer printout. Contains your name, ID number, date of birth, gender, and birth registration number. Used for most domestic purposes — applying for a driver’s licence, opening a bank account, school enrolment.
Unabridged birth certificate: The full certificate showing both parents’ names, ID numbers, nationalities, and places of birth, as well as your own details. Required for international travel with a child under 18, foreign visa applications, overseas university enrolment, dual citizenship applications, and emigration.
You specify which type you need when completing Form DHA-154.
When Do You Need Form DHA-154?
- You were never given a birth certificate after your birth was registered
- You lost or damaged your birth certificate
- You need an unabridged version but only have the abridged version
- A foreign institution has requested a new certified original birth certificate
- Your birth details have changed (name, father’s details added) and you need a new certificate reflecting the changes
How to Complete Form DHA-154
The form is straightforward — one page with the following sections:
Your personal details: Full name exactly as registered, ID number, date of birth, and gender.
Type of certificate: Tick whether you need an abridged certificate or an unabridged certificate. If you are unsure which you need, the unabridged version is accepted everywhere the abridged version is — you cannot go wrong requesting the full version.
Purpose of the certificate: State briefly why you need the certificate (e.g. “passport application”, “visa application”, “personal record”). This is informational — it does not affect whether your application is approved.
Signature: Sign at the bottom. Unlike most DHA forms, DHA-154 does not require a witness signature — you sign before submitting.
Complete the form in black ink, in block letters. Do not use correction fluid.
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Documents to Bring With Your DHA-154
- Completed Form DHA-154 (black ink, block letters)
- Original South African ID (Smart ID card or green ID book) — or birth certificate of parent if applying for a child
- Certified copy of your ID
- Proof of payment of the prescribed fee
For applications on behalf of a minor:
- Your own ID and certified copy
- The child’s abridged birth certificate and certified copy (to confirm registration details)
For applications from outside South Africa:
- Submit the completed form to the nearest South African embassy or consulate
- Include a certified copy of your passport
- Complete Form DHA-529 (Determination of Citizenship Status)
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Fees for DHA-154 (2026)
| Certificate type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Abridged birth certificate | R75 |
| Unabridged birth certificate | R75 |
| First unabridged certificate issued at time of registration | Free |
The first unabridged birth certificate is issued free of charge when a birth is initially registered — typically at the hospital. DHA-154 is used when applying for a replacement or additional copy at a later date, for which the R75 fee applies.
Processing Time
Applications submitted at a DHA branch inside South Africa: typically 6 to 8 weeks, though many offices issue the abridged certificate on the same day if records are immediately accessible.
Applications submitted at a South African mission abroad: forwarded to Pretoria monthly. Allow 3 to 6 months minimum.
To follow up on your application, contact the DHA Contact Centre on 0800 60 11 90.
Common Mistakes on Form DHA-154
Not specifying abridged or unabridged. You must tick one option. Leaving this blank will delay processing.
Submitting without an ID. DHA requires you to prove your identity before issuing a copy of your birth certificate. You cannot apply anonymously or for someone else’s certificate without their authorisation.
Downloading an outdated version. DHA occasionally updates form versions. Download fresh before each application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else apply for my birth certificate on my behalf? Yes, with a signed and certified letter of authorisation from you, plus a certified copy of your ID. The person acting on your behalf must also bring their own original ID.
Can I apply for my birth certificate online? The eHomeAffairs portal allows you to initiate an application online, but you must still visit a DHA branch or bank to finalise it. There is no fully remote process for birth certificate copies.
My birth was never registered — can I use DHA-154? No. DHA-154 is for obtaining a copy of a birth that was already registered. If your birth was never registered, you need to use the late birth registration process with Form DHA-288 (for adults) or Form DHA-24/1 (for children 1–15 years).
I need an unabridged certificate urgently — is there a fast track? There is no official DHA fast-track service. Private services that claim to expedite the process are not affiliated with DHA. The only way to potentially speed up the process is to apply in person at a DHA branch (rather than through the post or at a mission abroad) and follow up weekly with the DHA Contact Centre.
Related Forms
- Form DHA-24 — Notice of Birth (newborns) — for registering a birth for the first time
- Form DHA-288 — Late Birth Registration — for registering a birth for adults 15 and older
- Form DHA-529 — Determination of Citizenship Status — required for overseas applications
Related Guides
- How to Get an Unabridged Birth Certificate
- Birth Certificate for a Child Under 5
- Late Birth Registration
- Birth Certificates — Complete Hub
- All DHA Forms — Complete Hub