South Africa - To Apply for Citizenship by Naturalisation

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Procedure

Apply In-Person:

1. To apply for a Citizenship by naturalisation in person, the applicant has to visit any nearest office of the Department of Home Affairs.
2. Please click on the following link for the contact details and address of the office of Department of Home affairs: Link Among the list of provinces, click on your province name and get the details accordingly.
3. Go to the office of DHA and obtain the application form (DHA-63) to apply for a Citizenship by naturalisation, form the concerned department or click on the following link: Link
4. Fill the relevant sections of the forms with appropriate details of the applicant and if you are a minor, ask your parent to fill the application form on your behalf.
5. Make sure that you have all the documents listed under the “Required documents” section of this page.
6. Once completed filling the application form, submit it along with all the required documents at the respective department in the office. Also pay the prompted fees at the office.
7. The process for application will only begin when verification of Permanent Residence Permit has been confirmed by Immigration Services (IMS) through a written and signed letter of proof or PR to be attached to the application.
8. This will require offices where such applications are received, to first send verification of PR requests to IMS before receiving an application for naturalisation.
9. Within the same period submit a request to SAPS for a Police Criminal Record check and confirmation to be attached.
10. The submitted form and attached documents will be put into necessary verification processes by concerned authorities.
11. Once when all the processes are done and provided information is found appropriate, the Minister of Home Affairs will make the necessary amendments for the grant of the Citizenship.

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Required Documents

• Original South African non-citizen identity document
• Marriage certificate of the applicant (if applicable).
• Divorce decree of the applicant (if applicable).
• Proof of permanent residence or exemption
• Police Criminal Record check and clearance
• Form SAP 91 with a full set of fingerprints
• Documentary Proof of language proficiency or completed language test form

Office Locations & Contacts

Department of Home Affairs - Head Office
Physical Address : Hallmark Building,
230 Johannes Ramokhoase,
Pretoria,
Gauteng,
0001,
South Africa.
Postal Adress : Private Bag X114,
Pretoria,
0001,
Phone: 012 406 2500
Email: [email protected]
Website ,Link 2

Department Of Home Affairs Offices

Eligibility

• The applicant must have been in the Republic of South Africa for a period of five years from the date of obtaining Permanent Residence Permit.
• Any minor, under 21 years of age with a Permanent residence in South Africa, can apply through their parents.
• Any person, who has married a South African, can also apply.

Fees

Naturalization application and issue of original citizenship certificate - R300.00

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

Application form (DHA-63): Link

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

Please explain processing time taken in obtaining the document/certificate.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
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Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

• Applicants for naturalisation must constantly check their status of application or progress with the office of application as approved applications that require signing of “Declaration of Allegiance” will only be valid for a period of six months from date of approval.
• Any expired period of signing the “Declaration of Allegiance” will be considered as non-compliance. The application process would immediately lapse and an applicant for naturalisation would be required to lodge a new application.
• If you are under 18 years old, your parents or legal guardian must sign the application form (BI-63).

Required Information

• Name and Surname
• Identity number
• Date and Place of birth
• Address information
• Contact information
• Immigration permit number
• Details of Conviction (if any)
• Marital status

Need for the Document

Naturalisation applications are lodged when a non-citizen or a PRP holder wants to obtain a South African Citizenship.

Information which might help

• Requirements for an application for naturalization continue as they have been prescribed by the Citizenship Act.
• It is compulsory to attend Induction to become a citizen of the Republic of South Africa
• It is compulsory for all to attend the Naturalization Ceremony and stand before a Judge in order to be granted citizenship in South Africa. Failure to attend would result in withdrawal or non-issuance of Certificate.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Place some external links which might help.

Others

More information which might help people.