The adoptive parents must submit the following supporting documents: 1. 2. Children’s Court adoption order; and a certified copy of the child’s original birth certificate. Registration by social worker: If the child has been orphaned or abandoned and their birth has not been registered, then notice of birth must be given by a social worker after initiating a Children’s Court inquiry (See Chapter 4 on Children’s Court and Child Protection Processes). The social worker must submit the following supporting documents: 1. 2. 3. 4. Children’s Court order and the social workers report presented to the Children’s Court; a certified copy of the ID or passport and visa/ permit of the social worker; a certified copy of the ID or passport and visa/ permit of the child’s parents (if available); and a certified copy of the death certificate of the parents of the child (if available). Note: if an orphaned or abandoned child is in the care of any other relative who is not the parent(s), e.g., a grandparent, the notice of birth must still be given by a social worker. The relatives can assist the social worker in the birth registration process by providing all information and documentation necessary for the registration of the child. In the event of a parent being traced after the registration has taken place, then it is possible to submit an application to correct or add to the details already captured in the birth certificate. When should birth registration be initiated, and what is the process? The BDRA stipulates that notice of birth must be given to the Department of Home Affairs within 30 days of the child’s birth. If the birth is registered after this period, late registration of birth (“LRB”) is permitted - but there are additional requirements to be met. (See page 17, Figure B). Notice of birth is given by completing a prescribed form (referred to as a DHA-24). It must be accompanied by proof of birth which is also on a prescribed form (either a DH24/PB for children born in health care facilities or a DHA24/PBA for children born at home). If the child was born in a health care facility, the proof of birth form must be completed, www.lhr.org.za stamped and signed at the facility. It is advisable that this be done soon after the child’s birth, but it is possible to go back to the facility and request the form any time afterwards. If the child was born at home, the proof of birth form is completed by someone who witnessed the birth of the child. DHA and DoH joint circular dated 25 October 2016 on proof of birth forms: The circular states that it is the joint responsibility of DHA and DoH officials to ensure that every child born in a health care facility receives the proof of birth form, ideally before leaving the facility. Further, the circular states that the proof of birth form is important as it is a requirement for birth registration. What is the procedure if a South African citizen is born outside South Africa? The applicant must conduct a foreign birth registration. The same requirements for birth registration in South African must be met, including the following: 1. the notice of birth must be given by the hospital/clinic where the child was born. 2. birth certificate issued in the country of birth (the Department of Home Affairs will verify the authenticity of the birth certificate); and 3. documentary proof of the South African parent’s South African citizenship (the parents must also complete a determination of citizenship form known as a DHA-529). What happens after the notice of birth is given? The Department of Home Affairs may request an interview with a screening committee before the application is approved. The screening committee will interview the applicants and submit recommendations on whether the application must be approved or not. The following may happen after the notice of birth is given: 1. the application is approved, and a birth certificate is issued and collected by the applicant from the local office; or 2. the application is rejected, and the applicant must be informed why in writing (the rejection can be challenged through an internal appeal www.savethechildren.org.za | 15