Birth certificates UNIVERSAL / KEY PRINCIPLES You might come across three different birth certificates in South Africa. 4 5 Two are issued by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs (DHA). The third is issued by other countries. Parents, guardians, or social workers (in the case of an unaccompanied child) can assist a child to apply for documentation. Children may not be refused basic services and fundamental rights, like healthcare, education, and social grants, because they are not documented. There are two kinds of birth certificates issued by South Africa’s DHA: - A computerised (printed) birth certificate (issued to South African citizens, who are born either inside or outside of South Africa) A handwritten birth certificate (issued to non-South Africans born in South Africa) Both these certificates are official and legitimate birth certificates. Non-South African children who were born outside of South Africa may have birth certificate, issued by the country of birth. Three kinds of birth certificates In the court case, Centre for Child Law v Minister of Basic Education (“Phakamisa”), the court ruled that undocumented children may not be refused admission to school, including matric. They must also be allowed to register for matric exams and be provided with their results. Department of Basic Education Circular 1 of 2020 directs public schools to admit undocumented children. COMPUTERISED (printed) HANDWRITTEN OTHER BIRTH CERTIFICATE Each country’s birth certificate looks different. This one is an example of Zimbabwean birth certificate. The next pages will provide you with all the information you need to apply for your child’s documents. 8 HOW TO GET DOCUMENTED HOW TO GET DOCUMENTED 9