Resumption of South African citizenship

[Lost before 6 October 1995]

Section 26(4) of the Citizenship legislation, effected on 6 October 1995 (Act 88 of 1995), provides for retrospective resumption of South African citizenship to ex South African citizens who lost their South African citizenship before 6 October 1995 on acquiring the citizenship of another country by a formal or voluntary act.

Requirements

1. Application for Exemption in Regard to the Loss of South African Citizenship
   (Form BI-1666).
2. Determination of your Current Status (Form BI-529).
3. Original or certified copy of your present citizenship certificate.
4. Copies of the following:
   • Current/ Expired RSA passport
   • RSA identity document
   • Birth certificate
   • Marriage certificate, where applicable
5. A fee of 18.00 AUD each for the Resumption Certificate PLUS a self-addressed Express or Registered post Envelope (size B4 or large) for Australian applications OR AUD 18.00 for applications originating OUTSIDE of Australia.

Return Postage:

• For applications originating from within Australia - a Self-addressed Express or Registered Post Envelope (only one envelope per family) OR a Postal Money Order or Bank Cheque made payable to the South African High Commission.
• For applications originating from outside Australia a Bank Draft for the amount of
  10.00 AUD made payable to the South African High Commission. (Fee covers
  whole family / group)

Personal cheques or credit cards are NOT accepted.

Postal Address:

South African High Commission
State Circle
Yarralumla
ACT
2600

In terms of the South African Citizenship Amendment Act of 2004 (Act 17 of 2004) which came into effect on 15 September 2004, it is now an offence for a major (aged twenty-one (21) years or older) South African citizen to enter or depart the Republic of South Africa making use of the passport of another country. Furthermore, it will also be an offence for such a citizen, while in the Republic of South Africa, to use his or her foreign citizenship or nationality to gain an advantage or to avoid a responsibility or duty.

The Act provides that a South African dual citizen can freely use his or her foreign passport / citizenship / nationality outside South Africa. However, they must use their South African passport to enter or depart from South Africa.

Once you have been granted this exemption, you will need to obtain a new South African passport.

For further information, please contact this Mission between 08:30 and 13:00 Eastern Australian Time (AEST), Monday to Friday.

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