4 If you were born to parents who are not originally from South African citizens (citizen by naturalisation), you qualify for South African citizenship if: You were born in South Africa, You have a handwritten birth certificate, Your parents were not South African citizens or permanent residents on your date of birth, You have lived in South Africa from your date of birth until your 18th birthday, and You have applied for this citizenship at Home Affairs and have been granted a certificate of naturalisation. 5 Citizenship by birth for stateless children. You are a South African citizen automatically if: You are born in South Africa, You have a handwritten birth certificate, and You are stateless (no country considers you a citizen). 10