Birth Certificates
We believe a congratulations is in order! You have just become a parent. The pitter-patter of little feet, counting ten fingers and ten toes, the gurgles, cooing and the “Oohing” and “Aahing” over your little one’s tiny feet. The start of a new generation and the giddiness you feel over how amazing that is.
But amidst all the celebrations, well-wishes, baby gifts and the inevitable sleepless nights ahead, you suddenly realise that on top of being a new parent, you still need to complete paper work! We sense your stress levels rising.
But fret not, Benaters is here for you!
We are specialists in the field of Notarial Work and are perfectly poised to assist you (and answer any questions you may have) with birth certificates, including their legalisation (a complex process which we are proud to say, we know well). After reading the below, you can go back to posting cute pics of your baby on Instagram, knowing all will be ok.
What is a birth certificate?
When a baby is born in South Africa, their birth must be registered with the Department of Home Affairs within a period of 30 (thirty) days from their date of birth (according to The Births and Deaths Registration Amendment Act 18 of 2010). This registration of birth can be done by a parent, guardian or any other person legally responsible for the baby.
There are two types of birth certificates
Abridged birth certificate
An abridged birth certificate simply contains the details of a baby’s biological mother (such as her full name and ID number) as well as the date of birth. An abridged birth certificate is less common nowadays.
Unabridged birth certificate
An unabridged birth certificate is now issued by default and contains more detailed information about the baby’s biological parents (and as such will contain the name and surname of both biological parents as well as their ID numbers) and the baby’s date of birth.
Why is an unabridged birth certificate needed?
The unabridged birth certificate is required in order to travel abroad with minor children (together with their passport). In addition, an unabridged birth certificate will be required for the use of official South African documents aboard as well as when registering your child for school or if applying for social grants.
How do you acquire a birth certificate?
In order to get a birth certificate i.e. register the birth of your baby, you will firstly need to complete and submit a Form BI-24 (a Notice of Birth) at a Department of Home Affairs office (if you’re in South Africa), or at a South African embassy or consulate if you’re overseas. This Notice of Birth must be done within 7 (seven) days of the date of birth.
Then in order to actually register your baby (and get that birth certificate), you will need to (once again) go to a Department of Home Affairs office (if you’re in South Africa), or to a South African embassy or consulate if you’re overseas, with the following documents -
The Notice of Birth already issued;
A stamped original proof of birth or clinic card from the hospital or clinic together with a palm, foot or fingerprint of the child whose birth is being registered (records are archived);
Parents’ identity documents (ID);
If parents are married in a civil or customary marriage, an original or certified copy of the marriage certificate is required, and
If parents are not married, both parents must present themselves personally and bring along their IDs, to sign and acknowledge paternity.
Once your baby’s birth has been registered, an unabridged birth certificate is issued (by default) and is free of charge. You usually receive the birth certificate within a day or two after the registration application has been submitted. However, during times of Covid (and its surrounding uncertainty), we caution you not to rely on this time estimate.
Please take important note that if a birth is not reported within the 30 (thirty) day time period, additional requirements (including that of paying a required fee) may be applicable.
Again, don’t fret - contact us should you require further information here. We will try our utmost to assist you.
Must a birth certificate be authenticated?
Authentication of a formal document, like a birth certificate, means to legalise it and is specifically required for use abroad.
Legalising a document means that official (public) documents executed within South Africa for use outside of South Africa (for example when emigrating and requiring a VISA, obtaining a foreign passport, applying for citizenship applications and during adoption procedures), are affixed, sealed and signed either with an Apostille Certificate (if the destination country is a signatory country of the Hague Convention) thereby authenticating the origin of a public document, or with a Certificate of Authentication (if the destination country is not a signatory of the Hague Convention).
This process is done by sending it to the Legalisation Section of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (“DIRCO”) in order to get it affixed with an Apostille seal or a Certificate of Authentication (as per the above).
We are able to assist you with legalising your child’s birth certificate. It’s one of our specialities. So don’t be shy, get in touch!
Must a birth certificate be notarised?
You would need to notarise a birth certificate should you require copies of it (especially for authentication or legalisation purposes).
And you would need copies of it only if your documents are going to be used abroad (as per the above). And for this purpose, they can only be notarised before a Notary. The Notary attaches a completed and signed notarial certificate to the front of the copy of the original document, and affixes a seal next to their signature thereby verifying that it is a true copy of the original.
How long is the notarised birth certificate valid for?
Simply put, it all depends on the authority requesting the notarised document.
What happens if we lose our baby’s birth certificate?
You simply apply to the Department of Home Affairs.
According to the department, any additional abridged copies or unabridged copies of the birth certificate can be requested by completing Form BI-154 in black ink and submitting it to the nearest office of the Department of Home Affairs (or to the nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate abroad) and by paying the prescribed fee for re-issue which is currently R75.00
Why should we trust Benaters to notarise our Birth certificate?
At Benaters we pride ourselves on the fact that we are able to offer such a specialised niche service, always remembering that due to the ethical nature of the services which Notaries render and the specialist knowledge required to draft and/or legalise certain documents, the office of a Notary is considered to be held to a higher standard of care. And we take that extremely seriously (and therefore hold ourselves to very high standards).
We are proud to offer this specialised service to you!