Identification, Immigration & Citizenship | Western Cape Government

Identification, Immigration & Citizenship

Applying for a birth certificate in South Africa

(Service)
A birth certificate will be issued for your child once you’ve registered your child at the Department of Home Affairs. 

Applying for an Identity Document

(Service)
An identity document (ID) enables South African citizens and permanent residents to identify themselves for general purposes and day-to-day activities in society. IDs form part of each person's daily activities since all transactions require identification. You can get a South African ID if you’re a South African citizen or permanent resident aged 16 years or older.

Births and Deaths Registration Amendment Act, 67 of 1997

(Act) No. 67 of 1997Department of Home Affairs (National) (The Government of South Africa)
This Act amends the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1992, so as to further regulate changing the particulars on documents held by the Department of Home Affairs. It also provides for the assumption of another surname.

Home Affairs Hotline

(Service)
If you need information from the Department of Home Affairs, you can contact the Home Affairs Hotline on 0800 60 11 90. Alternatively send an e-mail to hacc@dha.gov.za.

Identification Act, 68 of 1997

(Act) (File type: pdf; size: 90.43 KB)No. 68 of 1997Department of Home Affairs (National) (The Government of South Africa)
This legislation sets out when and how South African identity documents are to be issued. It also provides for the creation and maintenance of the population register.

Immigration Act (Act 13 of 2002)

(Act) (File type: pdf; size: 2.21 MB)No. 13 of 2002Department of Home Affairs (National) (The Government of South Africa)
This Act sets out the conditions under which people may enter the country, stay in the country and leave the country.

Refugees Act

(Act) No. 130 of 1998Department of Home Affairs (National) (The Government of South Africa)
This Act sets out how and when people can apply for asylum in South Africa. It defines who a refugee is and when refugee protection will be granted.

South African Citizenship Act

(Act) No. 88 of 1995Department of Home Affairs (National) (The Government of South Africa)
This Act sets out how South African citizenship is acquired and lost and when it can be resumed.

South African Passports and Travel Documents Act

(Act) No. 4 of 1994Department of Home Affairs (National) (The Government of South Africa)
This Act provides for the issuing of South African Passports and travel documents.