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Name Change South Africa – All Your Options

Every Way You Can Legally Change Your Name in South Africa

Last Updated: March 3, 2026|Reviewed By: Home Affairs Editorial Team|Fact-checked against official DHA and Other Official Sources|Not affiliated with the DHA

Which Type of Name Change Do You Need?

South African law handles different name changes through different processes, under different sections of the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1992. Getting this right upfront saves you a wasted trip to the DHA.

Changing your own surname (adult) Governed by Section 26 of the BDRA. Requires Form BI-196 (also referred to as DHA-196), publication in the Government Gazette, and approval by the Director-General of Home Affairs. Processing: 3 to 9 months. Fee: R325. → How to Change Your Surname or First Name at Home Affairs

Changing your own forename/first name (adult) Governed by Section 24(1) of the BDRA. Requires Form BI-85 (also referred to as DHA-85). Also published in the Government Gazette. Processing: 3 to 9 months. Fee: R140. → How to Change Your Surname or First Name at Home Affairs

Changing a child’s name Governed by Section 25 of the BDRA. Requires Form BI-193 (surname) or BI-85 (forename). Parental or guardian consent required. Fee: R70. → How to Change a Child’s Name at Home Affairs

Name change after marriage or divorce Women may assume a spouse’s surname, revert to a maiden surname, or adopt a double-barrelled surname — no formal application required, but DHA must be notified to update the Population Register. → How to Change Your Name After Marriage or Divorce

Name and gender marker change Governed by the Alteration of Sex Description and Sex Status Act 49 of 2003. Separate processes for forename change (BDRA) and gender marker change (Act 49). Each takes 6 to 8 months. A new ID number is issued. → Name and Gender Marker Change at Home Affairs

Forms at a Glance

FormPurposeWho completes it
BI-85 / DHA-85Alteration of forename(s) — adult or minorApplicant or parent/guardian
BI-196 / DHA-196Authority to assume another surname — adultApplicant
BI-193 / DHA-193Alteration of surname of minorParent or guardian
DHA-9Full fingerprints — required for all applicants 16 and olderApplicant (at DHA or police station)
DHA-529Determination of citizenship statusApplicant
DHA-24 (×2)Re-registration of birth in new nameCompleted at DHA (barcoded, not downloadable)

All forms must be completed in black ink, block letters. Do not pre-sign — forms must be signed in the presence of a DHA official.

Fees Summary

Change typeFee
Forename change — adultR140
Surname change — adultR325
Name change — minor (forename or surname)R70
Gender marker changeR70 (excludes new Smart ID and passport)
New Smart ID after name changeR140
New passport after name changeR600

Fees confirmed as at 2026. Verify current fees with your DHA office before attending.

How Long Does a Name Change Take?

All name and surname changes are published in the Government Gazette. This is a legal requirement under the BDRA — it allows a 30-day public objection period before the Director-General approves the change.

Change typeTypical processing time
Adult forename or surname change3 to 9 months
Minor’s name change3 to 6 months
Marriage/divorce surname assumption4 to 8 weeks (notification, not application)
Gender marker change6 to 8 months per process

Processing is handled at DHA head office in Pretoria, not at your local branch. Your local branch receives and submits the paperwork — they cannot speed up or track the process on your behalf.

What Happens After Your Name Is Changed

Once your name change is approved and confirmed in the Population Register, you will need to update your identity documents and records. The DHA process does not automatically update these for you.

Smart ID card: Apply for a new Smart ID at any DHA Live Capture office. Fee: R140. Bring your confirmation of name change and existing ID. → How to Apply for a Smart ID

Passport: Apply for a new passport at any DHA office. Fee: R600. You cannot travel on a passport in your previous name once your ID reflects the new name. → How to Apply for a South African Passport

Birth certificate: A new unabridged birth certificate reflecting your new name can be requested from DHA. Fee: R50. → How to Apply for an Unabridged Birth Certificate

Linking letter: DHA issues a letter confirming your old and new ID numbers are linked to the same person. Keep this original letter permanently — banks, educational institutions, and professional bodies will require it when updating your records.

Matric certificate: Apply to the Department of Basic Education or your Provincial Education Department to reissue your matric certificate in your new name. You must surrender your original certificate. Processing: 4 to 6 weeks. Fee: R170 (confirm current amount with DBE).

University degrees and professional registrations: Contact each institution directly. Most require the DHA linking letter and certified copies of both your old and new IDs.

Important Limitations

  • You cannot change your name to a name that has already been assumed by someone else in circumstances that would cause confusion
  • A “sufficient reason” must be provided on the application form — DHA officials assess whether the reason is valid before forwarding to the Director-General
  • Criminal records and debt records are carried over to your new legal identity — changing your name does not erase these
  • Applicants 16 and older must submit fingerprints on Form DHA-9 — this form is not downloadable and must be obtained at a DHA office or police station
  • Bank branches offering DHA services cannot process name changes — you must attend a DHA branch office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name to anything I want? No. You must provide a sufficient reason for the change on the application form. DHA officials assess the reason before the application is forwarded to the Director-General. Cultural, religious, personal, and practical reasons are generally accepted if clearly motivated.

Does my name change get published publicly? Yes. All adult forename and surname changes are published in the Government Gazette as required by the BDRA. This is public information. The publication opens a 30-day period for objections. If no valid objections are raised, the Director-General approves the change.

Can I change my name online? No. Name changes cannot be initiated or processed online. All applications must be submitted in person at a DHA branch office or a South African mission abroad.

Do I need a lawyer to change my name? No. A name change at Home Affairs does not require legal representation. You can apply directly at any DHA branch office. A court order is only required in specific circumstances — such as if you need to compel a co-parent to consent to a minor’s name change.

Will changing my name affect my credit record or criminal history? No. Criminal records, debt records, and other legal records are carried over from your old ID number to your new one. The DHA linking letter confirms the connection between your old and new identities. Changing your name does not affect or erase any existing records.

Can a man change his surname in South Africa? Yes. Men can change their surname through the formal BI-196 application process. Unlike women after marriage or divorce, men do not have a simplified notification route — they must go through the full application, Government Gazette publication, and Director-General approval process.

How do I find out if my name change has been published in the Government Gazette? You can search the Government Gazette online at gpwonline.co.za or through a subscription service such as Sabinet Discover. Your DHA reference number is helpful when following up.

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

All Name Change Guides

Information on this page reflects DHA processes and fees as of 2026. Fees and processing times are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with your nearest DHA office before submitting an application.

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