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How to Change Your Name After Marriage or Divorce in South Africa

Getting Married or Divorced? Here’s How to Update Your Name in South Africa

Last Updated: March 7, 2026|Reviewed By: Home Affairs Editorial Team|Fact-checked against official DHA and Other Official Sources|Not affiliated with the DHA

Important: The Law Changed in September 2025

On 11 September 2025, the Constitutional Court handed down a unanimous judgment in Jordaan and Others v Minister of Home Affairs confirming that Section 26(1) of the Births and Deaths Registration Act was unconstitutional. The previous law allowed only women to assume a spouse’s surname after marriage using the simplified notification process.

What this means from 11 September 2025: Any spouse in any marriage or civil union — regardless of gender — may now assume their partner’s surname, resume a prior surname, or create a double-barrel surname using the simplified DHA notification process. Men no longer need to go through the formal BI-196 application to take their spouse’s surname after marriage.

Parliament has 24 months from the ruling to amend the legislation. In the meantime, the Court’s interim order applies. If a DHA office refuses to process your application citing the old rules, reference the Jordaan judgment.

Your Surname Options After Marriage

Any spouse may now choose from the following after marriage or civil union:

  • Keep your current surname — no action required
  • Assume your spouse’s surname — simplified DHA notification
  • Create a double-barrel surname combining your surname and your spouse’s surname — simplified DHA notification
  • Resume a prior surname you legally bore — simplified DHA notification

After marriage you cannot assume a completely unrelated new surname through this process. If you want a surname unconnected to your spouse or prior legal name, you must use the formal BI-196 application process. See How to Change Your First Name or Surname at Home Affairs.

Your Surname Options After Divorce

After divorce you may:

  • Keep your married surname — no action required
  • Revert to your maiden name — simplified DHA notification
  • Revert to any surname you previously bore legally — simplified DHA notification

After divorce you cannot assume a completely new, unrelated surname through the notification process. That requires a formal BI-196 application.

Why This Is a Notification, Not an Application

A surname change arising from marriage or divorce is a notification to DHA — not a formal name change application. This is an important distinction:

Notification (marriage/divorce)Formal application (BI-196)
Government GazetteNot requiredRequired
Director-General approvalNot requiredRequired
Objection periodNone30 days
Processing timeWeeks (once marriage registered)3 to 9 months
FeeNone for notificationR325
FormWritten letter + supporting docsBI-196

What You Need: After Marriage

  • Original or certified copy of your South African marriage certificate
  • Your current ID document (green barcoded ID book or Smart ID)
  • A letter confirming which surname you are choosing and your reason (e.g. “I wish to assume my spouse’s surname following our marriage on [date]”)
  • Certified copy of your spouse’s ID (if assuming their surname)

If married abroad:

  • Apostilled foreign marriage certificate (or certificate of authentication if the country is not a Hague Convention member)
  • Certified English translation if the certificate is not in English
  • Your current ID document
  • A letter confirming your surname choice

DHA will not process a surname update without your marriage being registered on their system first. If your marriage has not yet been registered or the unabridged marriage certificate has not yet been issued, there may be a waiting period before DHA can update the Population Register.

What You Need: After Divorce

  • Final divorce decree (final order only — interim orders are not accepted)
  • Your current ID document
  • A letter confirming which surname you are reverting to

Step-by-Step: Notifying DHA

Step 1: Obtain your marriage certificate or divorce decree You need the registered document before DHA can update the Population Register. If your marriage certificate or divorce decree is not yet available, you will need to wait.

Step 2: Book your appointment (recommended) Use BABS at services.dha.gov.za to book at your nearest DHA branch. Booking is not mandatory for surname notifications but gives you priority at dedicated counters and reduces waiting time.

See: How to Book a Home Affairs Appointment Online

Step 3: Attend DHA with your documents Bring originals and two certified copies of all documents. Submit your letter confirming your surname choice. DHA will update the Population Register.

Step 4: Apply for your updated Smart ID Once DHA confirms the surname update, apply for a new Smart ID at any DHA Live Capture office. Fee: R140. Your old ID will be surrendered.

See: How to Apply for a Smart ID

Step 5: Apply for an updated passport (when ready) You are not required to update your passport immediately. You can travel on your old passport with your new ID and proof of marriage or divorce. Update the passport when practical. Fee: R600.

See: How to Apply for a South African Passport

Not sure what documents to take to Home Affairs? Click Here To Use our free checklist and walk in fully prepared.

After Your Surname Is Updated — What Else to Change

DHA does not automatically update any other records. You must notify each institution separately.

Documents and records to update:

  • Smart ID card — R140 at any DHA Live Capture office
  • Passport — R600 at any DHA office (not urgent, can travel on old passport with proof of marriage/divorce)
  • Driver’s licence — not required until licence expires; carry new ID alongside old licence in the interim
  • SARS / tax registration — update via eFiling or your nearest SARS branch
  • Bank accounts — take your new ID and marriage certificate or divorce decree to each bank
  • Medical aid — contact your scheme directly
  • Voter registration — update at your nearest IEC office or online at www.elections.org.za
  • Employer records — notify HR; they will update pension and insurance records
  • Retirement annuities and investments — contact each provider directly
  • Will and testament — update or execute a codicil to reflect your new name
  • Home loan or mortgage — notify your bank
  • Service providers (cell phone contracts, utilities) — update each individually

Travel note: If you have a pending visa application or international travel planned, having mismatched names on your ID and passport can cause complications. Prioritise updating your passport if international travel is imminent.

What You Cannot Do

  • You cannot assume a completely unrelated new surname through the marriage/divorce notification — this requires the formal BI-196 process with Government Gazette publication
  • You cannot update your surname at a bank branch offering DHA services — this must be done at a DHA branch office
  • DHA updating the Population Register does not automatically update any other institution’s records — you must notify each one separately
  • You cannot travel internationally on a passport that has expired — regardless of the name on it

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my surname after marriage? No. Changing your surname after marriage is entirely optional. You can keep your birth surname, assume your spouse’s surname, or create a double-barrel surname. There is no legal requirement to change your name upon marriage.

Can a husband take his wife’s surname in South Africa? Yes — as of 11 September 2025. The Constitutional Court ruled that surname options after marriage are gender-neutral. Any spouse may now assume their partner’s surname using the simplified notification process.

Do I need a Government Gazette publication to change my surname after marriage? No. Surname changes from marriage or divorce do not require Government Gazette publication. You notify DHA with your marriage certificate or divorce decree and DHA updates the Population Register directly.

Can I change my surname after divorce? Yes. After divorce you may revert to your maiden name or any surname you previously bore legally. You can also keep your married surname. You cannot assume a completely new unrelated surname through the divorce notification — that requires BI-196.

How long does a surname change after marriage take? The DHA notification itself is quick once your marriage is registered on their system. The delay is usually in obtaining the unabridged marriage certificate — this can take several weeks to months after the wedding. During this period your new surname may not be usable for some services.

Do I need to update my passport immediately after changing my surname? Not immediately. You can travel on your old passport with your new ID and a copy of your marriage certificate or divorce decree as supporting proof. Update your passport when it is practical, especially before international travel or visa applications.

What if my marriage was concluded abroad? South Africa automatically recognises legally concluded foreign marriages. Submit your apostilled foreign marriage certificate and a letter confirming your surname choice to DHA. They will update your marital status and surname in the Population Register.

Is there a fee for changing my surname after marriage or divorce? There is no fee for the DHA Population Register notification itself. Applying for a new Smart ID costs R140 and a new passport costs R600.

Official DHA Contact Details

ChannelDetails
DHA Contact Centre0800 60 11 90 (toll-free, Mon-Fri 08:00-16:00)
DHA main websitewww.dha.gov.za
DHA emailinfo@dha.gov.za
Online booking (BABS)services.dha.gov.za

Related Guides

Information on this page reflects DHA processes and the Constitutional Court’s September 2025 Jordaan ruling as of 2026. Parliament has 24 months from 11 September 2025 to amend the legislation. Always verify current requirements with your nearest DHA office before proceeding.

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