South African Embassy in Sweden, Services for South Africans, Birth registration

In terms of the Birth and Death Registration Act, 1992 (Act No. 51 of 1992), any person born outside of the Republic of South Africa to a parent who is a South African citizen at the time of his/ her birth and whose birth is registered, shall be a South African citizen by descent.

The Act stipulates that the birth of the child born alive must be reported within thirty (30) days after the birth. Notice of the birth must be given by one of the parents or, if neither of the parents is able to do so, the person having charge of the child or a person requested by the parents or said person to do so. A person requested to give notice must have a written mandate to do so which must also include the reasons why the parents cannot give notice themselves.

The following documents must be submitted when registering the birth of a child:

Form DHA-24 to be fully completed in block letters and in black ink (as this form may not be downloaded, it should be requested in writing and by submitting a self-addressed A4-size envelope with postage paid for SEK 71 to mail the form to the applicant; alternatively, this form may be collected in person at our office during the opening hours: Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri; 09:00-12:30);

Note:
- Parts A to F must be completed, dated and signed by the informant (the person registering the child e.g. a parent) and the child (15 years and older).
- Questions that are not applicable should be marked as 'n/a'; if answers to certain questions are not known, they should be marked as 'Do not know'.
- Under Part A, 'late registration of birth' refers to a birth being registered after 30 days i.e. reasons why the birth was not registered within the prescribed 30 days must be provided.
- In the case of a child of 15 years and older, a recent photo of the child (see photograph specifications) must be submitted.
- Children born within wedlock must be registered either under the surname of the biological father, or the surname of the biological mother, or under the surnames of such mother and father joined together as a double-barrelled surname.
- Children born out of wedlock are registered under the surname of the biological mother, but may also be registered under the surname of the biological father, provided the father acknowledges paternity and both mother and father provide written consent to the registration of the child under the father's surname.

In the case of a child of 15 years and older, Form DHA-24/A to be fully completed in block letters and in black ink; in addition, Form DHA-24/A to be fully completed by the informant (as these forms may also not be downloaded, they should be requested in writing);

Note:
- The purpose of these forms is for the taking of fingerprints and must be submitted in person by the child and informant at the Embassy in Stockholm, where fingerprints are taken free of charge.
- A recent photo of the child (see photograph specifications must be submitted; a photo of the informant is not required.

In the case of a child of 15 years and older, Form DHA-288 (Affidavit in Support of Notice of Birth) to be fully completed in block letters and in black ink (as this form may also not be downloaded, it should be requested in writing);

Note:
- Parts A to C must be completed by the informant, and the form must be submitted in person by the child and informant.
- Questions that are not applicable should be marked as n/a'; if answers to certain questions are not known, they should be marked as 'Do not know'.
- Part D must be completed and signed before a Commissioner of Oaths at the South African Embassy in Stockholm - please note that no other office or notary public in Sweden has the authority to perform the duties of a Commissioner of Oaths.

Form BI-529 to be fully completed in block letters and in black ink in respect of the child;

Note:
- Parts A and B of this form must contain the particulars of the child being registered.
- The form should be completed and signed by the informant.
- Questions that are not applicable should be marked as 'n/a'; if answers to certain questions are not known, they should be marked as 'Do not know'.
- Questions 10 and 11 of Part A are of particular importance.

Form BI-529 to be fully completed in block letters and in black ink in respect of the South African parent � required to verify South African citizenship;

Original or certified copy of the child's foreign birth certificate reflecting the full details of both parents, and accompanied by an English translation by a sworn translator, if the original birth certificate is not in English; alternatively, in the case of a child born in Sweden an extract from the birth register, which is commonly known as an 'international birth certificate' may be submitted. (Please note that an apostille in terms of the 1961 Hague Convention must be affixed to the foreign birth certificate or extract from the birth register - this is required by the Department of Home Affairs to prove the authenticity of the relevant document);

Original or certified copy of the child's foreign passport, if applicable;

Original or certified copies of the South African parent(s)' proof of South African citizenship, e.g. valid South African passport;

Original or certified copy of the foreign parent's valid passport, if applicable;

Original or certified copy of the parent's marriage certificate, if applicable, and accompanied by an English translation by a sworn translator, if the original marriage certificate is not in English; alternatively, parents who married in Sweden may submit an extract from the marriage register, which is commonly known as an 'international marriage certificate';

A self-addressed A5-size envelope with postage paid for SEK 71 (registered mail), to return the certificate after issuing, and any personal original documents;

Should you require clarification on completing the application forms or have any further enquiries about the application process, please contact our office at your convenience.

Application for Birth Registration