How To Apply For South Africa’s ETA / Travelling with a Minor from South Africa | Parental Consent Affidavit Guide / Child Born in South Africa to Foreign Parents | Citizenship Rights Explained / South African Citizenship for Adopted Children | How It Works / Resumption Of South African Citizenship – How To Get It Back / Renunciation of South African Citizenship | Form DHA-246 Guide / South African Citizenship By Birth – Who Qualifies & How / Replacement Naturalisation Certificate South Africa | Lost or Damaged / Dual Citizenship South Africa | What the Law Actually Allows / Retention of South African Citizenship | Keep Your SA Citizenship Abroad / Determination of South African Citizenship Status | DHA-529 Guide / South African Citizenship by Naturalisation | Requirements & How to Apply / South African Citizenship by Descent | Born Abroad to SA Parents / South African Citizenship Reinstatement : How to Get It Back / Capitec Howick Smart ID / How To Apply For South Africa’s ETA / Travelling with a Minor from South Africa | Parental Consent Affidavit Guide / Child Born in South Africa to Foreign Parents | Citizenship Rights Explained / South African Citizenship for Adopted Children | How It Works / Resumption Of South African Citizenship – How To Get It Back / Renunciation of South African Citizenship | Form DHA-246 Guide / South African Citizenship By Birth – Who Qualifies & How / Replacement Naturalisation Certificate South Africa | Lost or Damaged / Dual Citizenship South Africa | What the Law Actually Allows / Retention of South African Citizenship | Keep Your SA Citizenship Abroad / Determination of South African Citizenship Status | DHA-529 Guide / South African Citizenship by Naturalisation | Requirements & How to Apply / South African Citizenship by Descent | Born Abroad to SA Parents / South African Citizenship Reinstatement : How to Get It Back / Capitec Howick Smart ID /

Which DHA Form Do I Need

Find the Right Home Affairs Document for Your Application

Last Updated: March 16, 2026|Reviewed By: Home Affairs Editorial Team|Fact-checked against official DHA and Other Official Sources|Not affiliated with the DHA

Find Your DHA Form Fast

Use this guide if you are not sure which form to complete. Find your situation in the list below and follow the link to the correct form and full instructions.

I Need to Apply for or Replace My ID

I am applying for a Smart ID for the first time (turning 16) Use Form DHA-9 — collected at a DHA branch or Live Capture bank. Not downloadable. Full guide: First-Time Smart ID Application

My ID was lost, stolen, or damaged Use Form DHA-9 for the fingerprint capture — collected at the branch. Full guide: Smart ID Replacement

There is an error on my ID (wrong name, wrong date of birth) Use Form BI-309 — downloadable — submitted alongside DHA-9. Full guide: Correction of Details on Smart ID

I want to change my surname on my ID For adults: Form DHA-196 For children under 18: Form DHA-193

I want to change my first name on my ID Use Form DHA-85

I want to change my gender marker on my ID Use Form DHA-526 — submitted alongside DHA-85 if also changing forenames. Full guide: Gender Marker Change

I Need a Passport

I am applying for a South African passport (adult or child, new or renewal) Use Form DHA-73 — downloadable. Full guide: How to Apply for a South African Passport

My passport was lost or stolen Use Form DHA-335 to report the loss, submitted together with DHA-73 for the replacement. Full guide: Lost or Stolen Passport

I am applying for a passport from outside South Africa Use Form DHA-73 and Form DHA-529 together.

I Need a Birth Certificate

I need a copy of my birth certificate (abridged or unabridged) Use Form DHA-154 — downloadable. Full guide: How to Get an Unabridged Birth Certificate

My newborn’s birth was never registered (within 30 days) Use Form DHA-24 — not downloadable, collected at the hospital or DHA branch. Full guide: How to Register a Birth

My child is aged 1 to 15 and was never registered Use Form DHA-24/1 — not downloadable, collected at a DHA branch. Full guide: Late Birth Registration

I am 15 or older and was never registered Use Form DHA-288 — downloadable. Expect an investigation process. Full guide: Late Birth Registration

I want to add my biological father’s name to my birth certificate Use Form DHA-1682 — downloadable. Both parents must be present. Full guide: Add Father’s Name to Birth Certificate

My child was born out of wedlock and I need to amend the registration Use Form DHA-59 — downloadable.

I Need to Change My Name

I want to change my surname (adult — 18 or older) Use Form DHA-196 — downloadable. Full guide: How to Change Your Name at Home Affairs

I want to change my first name or forenames (adult) Use Form DHA-85 — downloadable.

I want to change my surname after marriage Use Form DHA-196 — downloadable. Full guide: Name Change After Marriage

I want to revert to my birth surname after divorce Use Form DHA-196 — downloadable. Full guide: Name Change After Divorce

I want to change my child’s surname (under 18) Use Form DHA-193 — downloadable. Both parents must consent. Full guide: How to Change a Minor’s Name

I want to change my gender marker and name Use Form DHA-526 for the gender marker and Form DHA-85 for forenames — submit both together. Full guide: Gender Marker Change

I Need a Marriage Certificate

I need a copy of my marriage certificate Use Form DHA-130 — downloadable. Full guide: How to Get a Marriage Certificate

I am a foreign national getting married in South Africa Use Form DHA-31 — the declaration for purpose of marriage / letter of no impediment.

The marriage register was completed at my ceremony That is Form DHA-1736 — completed by the marriage officer, not by you.

I Need a Death Certificate

I need a copy of a death certificate Use Form DHA-132 — downloadable. Full guide: How to Get a Death Certificate

A person has just died and I need to register the death The Notification of Death (Form DHA-1663) is completed by the attending medical practitioner — not the family. The funeral undertaker coordinates the submission.

I need to understand the DHA-1680 Death Report I was given Form DHA-1680 is issued automatically by DHA after the death is registered. It is not applied for. See the DHA-1680 guide for what it is and when it is needed.

I Need to Confirm My Citizenship Status

I am applying for a civic document from outside South Africa Use Form DHA-529 — downloadable. Required for most applications submitted at South African missions abroad.

I Need a Visa or Residence Permit

I am a foreign national applying for a South African visa Use Form DHA-84 — downloadable. Check whether your nationality is visa-exempt first. Full guide: Visas for South Africa

I am applying for a temporary residence permit (work, study, spousal, business) Use Form DHA-1738 — downloadable. Full guide: Visas for South Africa

I am applying for permanent residence Use Form DHA-947 — downloadable. A complex multi-page form — consider using an accredited immigration practitioner. Full guide: Permanent Residence in South Africa

I am applying for a spousal or life partner visa or permit Use Form DHA-1712A alongside your main permit application form (DHA-1738 or DHA-947).

I Am Applying from Outside South Africa

Almost every DHA application submitted at a South African embassy or consulate abroad requires Form DHA-529 (Determination of Citizenship Status) in addition to the form for your specific service.

The application-specific form you need depends on what you are applying for — use the relevant section above to identify it, then add DHA-529 to your document pack.

Forms That Cannot Be Downloaded

The following forms must be collected in person at a DHA branch or South African mission abroad:

FormWhy it cannot be downloaded
DHA-9 (fingerprint form)Unique barcoded form — collected at DHA branch or Live Capture bank
DHA-24 (notice of birth — newborns)Unique barcoded form — collected at hospital or DHA branch
DHA-24/1 (notice of birth — children 1–15)Unique barcoded form — collected at DHA branch
DHA-1736 (marriage register)Completed by the marriage officer at the ceremony
DHA-1680 (death report)Issued by DHA after death registration — not applied for

Still Not Sure?

If your situation is not covered above, contact the DHA Contact Centre on 0800 60 11 90 (toll-free, Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:00). Have your ID number ready.

You can also visit any DHA branch and ask a front-desk official which form applies to your situation. Officials are required to assist you in identifying the correct form before you join the service queue.

Quick Reference — All 25 DHA Forms

FormPurpose
DHA-9Fingerprint and ID application — collected at branch
BI-309Correction of personal details on ID
DHA-529Determination of citizenship status — overseas applications
DHA-73Passport and travel document application
DHA-335Report of loss of travel document
DHA-24Notice of birth — newborns within 30 days — collected at branch
DHA-24/1Notice of birth — children 1 to 15 — collected at branch
DHA-154Application for copy of birth certificate
DHA-288Late birth registration — 15 years and older
DHA-1682Insertion of natural father’s particulars in birth register
DHA-85Alteration of forename(s) — adults
DHA-193Alteration of surname — minors
DHA-196Authority to assume another surname — adults
DHA-59Amendment of birth registration — child born out of wedlock
DHA-526Gender marker change
DHA-130Application for marriage certificate copy
DHA-31Declaration for purpose of marriage — foreign nationals
DHA-1736Marriage register — completed by marriage officer
DHA-1663Notification of death — completed by medical practitioner
DHA-1680Death report — issued by DHA
DHA-132Application for copy of death certificate
DHA-947Application for permanent residence permit
DHA-84Application for a visa
DHA-1738Application for temporary residence permit
DHA-1712AAffidavit for parties in permanent spousal or life partner relationship

Back to all DHA forms

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