Form DHA-31 – FOR WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE A SOUTH AFRICAN IDENTITY DOCUMENT

(DOWNLOAD FORM DHA-31)

When and why should I complete a Form DHA-31: Affidavit for the Purpose of Marriage By A Person Without South African Identity Document?

When you marry, you have to show your South African Identity Document to the marriage officer, and usually provide them with a copy. Why? – because they have to know that you are who you say you are, and secondly because the need to record the correct identity details in the marriage register.

BUT

What if you don’t have a South African Identity document?

If you are a South African and have lost your ID, then you will need to apply for a new ID from the Department of Home Affairs. If there isn’t enough time before your wedding to get a new ID, then you can apply for a temporary ID document which can be used for registering your marriage.

Apart from losing your ID document, other reasons for not having one include:

You are not a South African Citizen or

Your birth has not been registered

Usually, Form DHA-31 is used by Foreign Nationals who are marrying in South Africa.

Instead of a South African ID document, Foreign Nationals must provide their Passport and a completed Form DHA-31 which explains why they do not have a South African Identity document. They tick the box alongside the statement: “I am not a South African Citizen”.

In the form they must provide details of their:

• Passport number
• Gender
• Date of Birth
• Citizenship
• Surname
• First names
• Town/City and Country of Birth
• Permanent Residential Address
• Residential Status in South Africa (eg Visitor/ Work permit etc)
• Permit Number if a permit is required for them to be in South Africa

Then the full details of their prospective Spouse or Partner must be provided.

Finally, the affidavit needs to be sworn to before a Commissioner of Oaths who must enter their details at the bottom of the page.

For more information read: “Everything you need to know if you are a South African marrying a non-South African”.