or review with the help of a lawyer). The first birth certificate is issued free of charge, but if the certificate is lost, damaged or destroyed, it can be re-issued at a fee. It is also possible to apply for rectification of errors or amendments to details on the birth certificate. DHA Circular no. 5 of 2014 and no. 14 of 2021 on DNA testing for birth registration: The circular states that DNA testing is a requirement in the following cases: When can you apply for an identity document (“ID”)? An identity document (“ID”) is a compulsory document issued by the Department of Home Affairs under the Identification Act 68 of 1997 to citizens and permanent residents that are 16 years and older. (Note: refugees can also apply for IDs at Refugee Reception Offices under the Refugees Act). South African citizens and permanent residents are issued IDs in the form of a “green book”, and the ID number is formulated as follows: 1. 1. For birth registration of children born to unmarried parents; 2. • • 2. For an application for the insertion of an unmarried father; • • 3. if both parents are South African citizens, no DNA test is required; or if one parent is a non-South African citizen, no DNA test is required if the birth is registered within 30 days of the birth of the child unless an official of the department has “reasonable suspicion” regarding the paternity of the child. if the father is a South African citizen, no DNA test is required; or if the father is a non-South African citizen, a DNA test is required. For an application for the alteration of particulars of the registered father of a child born to unmarried parents - a DNA test is required regardless of the citizenship status of the father. Process: • • • 16 | obtain DNA test referral letter from the nearest DHA local office; book an appointment at one of the listed centres of the National Health Laboratory Services or other accredited private institutions); and submit results with an application for birth registration (results must not be older than 3 months). 3. the first six digits represent your date of birth; for example, 890518 is 18 May 1989 (the format is “YYMMDD”); the next four digits (SSSS) define your gender – females are assigned numbers ranging between 0000-4999 and males from 50009999; and the next digit shows if you are a South African citizen – 0 – or a permanent resident – 1. South African ID Number 9 2 0 2 2 0 4 7 2 0 0 8 2 Y Y M M D D S S S S C A Z The first 6 digits are based on date of birth 20 Feb 1992 The second 4 digits are used to define gender Female: 0000 - 4999 or Male: 5000 - 9999 This digit is used to classify citizenship SA citizen: 0 or Permanent resident: 1 The last digit is used as a checksum digit to verify the ID number