South Africa Government Services
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Application for South African citizenship
    

Description | Steps to follow | Legal framework | Service standard | Cost | Forms to complete | Contact details

Description

This service establishes whether the applicant is indeed a South African citizen before an Identity Document may be issued. It applies to people who were South African citizens before they left the country and they intend resuming South African citizenship. Applications can be made at any Home Affairs office or at a South African embassy or mission if applying abroad.

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Steps to follow

  • complete application form BI-529
  • complete ‘To whom it may concern’ letter
  • bring the following documents:
    • proof of birth
    • copy of ID/ passport
    • marriage certificate
    • copy of immigration permit/exemption certificate

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Legal framework

(Documents are provided in PDF format. To open PDF documents, you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader 4 or higher installed on your computer.)

South African Citizenship Act, 1995 (Act 88 of 1995)

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Service standard

Applications may take 8 to 12 weeks.

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Cost

To whom it may concern letter: R58

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Forms to complete

(Forms are provided in PDF format. To open PDF documents, you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader 4 or higher installed on your computer.)

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Contact details

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