Open Borders Immigration Consultancy is your trusted partner in South African Civic Services and our streamlined solutions provide a seamless experience. We provide expert guidance and services for civic matters, ensuring a smooth and efficient process for individuals and businesses. Every individual has the right to an identity document. In collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs, we assist with different types of applications from the onset until the document is issued.
- South African Police Clearance Certificates (PCC)
- South African Identity Documents (IDs)
- South African Marriage Certificates
- South African Death Certificates
- South African Birth Certificates
- Passports (Different Countries)
- Citizenships
- Police Clearance Certificates (PCC)
At Open Borders Immigration Consultancy, we offer an expedited service for obtaining South African Police Clearance Certificates, ensuring our clients receive their certificates within just 7 days. This is significantly faster than the standard turnaround time, which can take anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks through traditional channels. By leveraging our strong relationships and expertise, we help our clients avoid the lengthy delays often associated with police clearances, streamlining their immigration or visa applications and reducing unnecessary stress.
- Identity Document Applications
A South African ID is one of the most important documents used to access services for general purposes and day-to-day activities in our society, and we simplify the process of obtaining or renewing Smart ID Cards.
The Department of Home Affairs started rolling out the new and more secure Smart ID Card. You can obtain one if:
- You are a South-African citizen by birth.
- You are 16 years or older.
- Your ID book has been lost, stolen or damaged.
- Your personal particulars have changed.
- Your citizenship status has changed.
- You have changed your surname (for example, if you get married or divorced).
- You are temporarily living abroad and have previously had a South African ID.
- Immigrants who have valid South African citizenships can also get an ID by naturalisation.
- Marriage Certificates
Abridged Marriage Certificates
Once your marriage officer notifies the Department of Home Affairs, you will automatically receive an Abridged Marriage certificate which will be issued on the same day that it’s applied for.
Unabridged Marriage Certificates
The Unabridged Marriage certificate contains more information and offers more proof of the marriage and can be used in any legal processes. An application for an Unabridged Marriage certificate can take approximately up to twenty-four (24) weeks to obtain. We can expedite and obtain your certificate within a minimum eight (8) weeks.
Verification of marital status
Due to the large number of fraudulent marriages reported to the Department of Home Affairs every year, a facility has been created for you to check your marital status at any time. You will need your South African ID number to use this facility.
Assuming a different surname (Section 26 of Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1992)
A woman may assume her husband’s surname or revert to her maiden surname or a prior surname she legally bore, and since 1997 a woman may also join her surname with that of her husband’s as a double-barrelled surname.
No application to the Department of Home Affairs is necessary in these instances, but to enable the Department to update the Population Register, women should notify the Department of such changes in writing.
Apart from the aforesaid exclusions, no major may assume another surname unless such change of surname has been approved by the Director-General of Home Affairs and has been published in the Government Gazette. Applications in this regard may be lodged at any domestic Home Affairs office or any South African embassy, mission, or consulate abroad.
Applications must be on a duly completed form and a sufficient reason must be furnished in writing.
- Death Certificates
Abridged Death Certificates
An Abridged death certificate is issued on the same day of registration of death by the Department of Home Affairs.
Unabridged Death Certificates
Also referred to as the “full copy”, contains all the details of the deceased, date of death and cause of death. These documents contain much more information than the abridged version.
Issuing of death certificates
The Department of Home Affairs will issue a Death Certificate on receipt of the notification of death (Form BI-1663)and the Death Report (Form BI-1680).
Applications for a Death Certificate must be lodged at any office of the Department of Home Affairs or at any South African embassy, mission or consulate if the death occurred abroad.
An abridged death certificate will be issued free of charge on the same day of registration of death. An unabridged death certificate can be obtained by completing Form BI-132 and paying the required fee.
Erroneously/Fraudulently registered deaths
If a person has been erroneously or fraudulently recorded as dead in the National Population Register (i.e. they are still alive) this must be reported as soon as possible to the nearest Department of Home Affairs office for urgent investigation and corrective action.
- Birth Certificates
Abridged Birth Certificates
An Abridged Birth certificate provides record of the mother’s information, whereas an Unabridged Birth Certificate contains information about both parents.
Once a child’s birth has been registered with the Department of Home Affairs, an abridged birth certificate is issued. Usually, a day after the registration application has been submitted.
Unabridged Birth Certificate
An Unabridged Birth Certificate can take up to twenty-four (24) weeks to obtain. We can expedite and obtain your certificate within a minimum of eight (8) weeks.
If Home Affairs cannot find your records, you would have to fill out BI-288 & BI-24 forms to be able to acquire your certificate.
Re-registration of a child born out of wedlock
A child registered as being born out of wedlock, whose parents get married after the birth can be re-registered to be born within wedlock. Both parents must sign the application form.
When you want to insert a forename or surname in a birth register of a person registered without a forename or surname, according to section 23 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act of 1992), applications must be duly completed on a specific application form.
Insertion of biological father’s particulars in the birth register of a child born out of wedlock
Both parents must complete a specific application form. If the mother refuses to give consent to the insertion, the father can apply to a High Court for exemption of the mother’s consent.
Altering of a forename (section 24 of births and Deaths Registration Act of 1992)
Certain application forms must be completed to change a forename(s). Tariffs vary for majors and for persons who have not entered a legal marriage or who have not been declared as majors in terms of the Age of Majority Act.
Certain application forms must be completed to change a forename(s). Tariffs vary for majors and for persons who have not entered a legal marriage or who have not been declared as majors in terms of the Age of Majority Act.
You can change the surname of a minor:
- If the child born out of wedlock’s mother marries a person other than the child's biological father and wishes to change the child’s surname to that of her husband.
- If the mother, after a divorce or the death of her husband (father of child), wishes to change the child's surname to her maiden surname or to another surname she bore legally, or if she has remarried to the surname of her new husband.
- If the child is born out of wedlock but registered under the biological father's surname and the mother wishes to change the child's surname to hers.
- If the minor is under the care of a guardian and the guardian wishes to change the child's surname to his/hers.
- Other situations not mentioned above where a good and sufficient reason for the change exists.
- Applications must be on a duly completed Form BI-193
Changing of gender
In terms of section 27(A), read with the provisions of the Alteration of Sex Description and Sex Status Act 49 of 2003. A person is allowed to change the gender recognised by Home Affairs.
Applications can be made by:
Persons who have undergone a sex change operation or medical treatment resulting in their gender reassignment. In such cases two medical reports are required:
- One by the medical practitioner who applied the procedure or medical treatment or by a medical practitioner who has experience in such procedures or treatments.
- A report by a second medical practitioner who has independently examined the application to establish his/her gender.
Intersexed persons
In this category, the applicant must submit:
- A report by a medical practitioner corroborating that the applicant is intersexed.
- A report by qualified psychologist or social worker corroborating that the applicant is living and has lived stably and satisfactorily, for an unbroken period of at least two years in the gender role corresponding to the sex description under which he or she seeks to be registered. Applications must be on Form BI-526 or a written request, accompanied by the required medical reports.
Rectification of the date of birth, gender, or place of birth in the birth register
Should any information contained within a document issued by the Department of Home Affairs be incorrect because of a departmental error, the error will be corrected free of charge. However, if the mistake was on the part of the applicant, correction of the information will be applied for a prescribed fee.
- Passport Applications
South African passports’ validity is dependant on the persons age, for those who are sixteen (16) years and over, ten (10) years, and five (5) years for children. One must renew their passport when it’s no longer valid or if it has no blank visa pages available. It is important to note that passports cannot be extended once they reach the expiry date, therefore a new passport must be applied for.
For persons who travel extensively, the Department of Home Affairs can issue Maxi Passports, which contain 64 visa pages instead of the 32 pages of a normal passport. To apply for a Maxi Passport, the relevant fee and letter of request must be provided. We can also assist with passport renewals for other countries.
- Citizenship
A person automatically qualifies for aa South African citizenship if they are born in South Africa and at least one of their parents is a South African citizen or Permanent Residence permit holder.
To qualify for the application of South African citizenship, you need to:
- Be adopted by a South African citizen.
- Apply by descent or naturalisation
- Apply to retain your citizenship before you obtain citizenship of another country.
- Hold a Permanent Residence permit for five years.
- Marry a South African citizen.
- Be born to at least one South African parent.
- Meet a residence requirement (usually five years) as a foreign national.
At Open Borders Immigration Consultancy, we will make it easy for you to obtain the required documents/certificates with ease to make sure that your registration processes for citizenships, births, marriages, and deaths run smoothly.
Why Choose Us
Our team comprises experienced specialists who are able to provide tailored solutions by navigating complex processes with confidence and we guarantee that you will receive personalised guidance tailored to your unique situation.
We prioritise efficiency without compromising accuracy and try to avoid any delays with our streamlined and meticulous approach. While we prioritise that you stay informed at every step of the process, benefit from clear and transparent communication.
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Acquiring South African legal documents can be complex, but with us it becomes a straightforward and positive experience. Let us assist you in securing your documentation.
