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Disclaimer / Limitations
This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff in consultation with in-country lawyers and/or CRVS legal experts. All efforts were made to ensure the accuracy of the legal analysis, however, if you consider there to be any discrepancies or if there have been changes in the law of the country since our staff last updated the legal analysis, we welcome any additional information or insights. Please contact us via this form.
Birth Registration
South Africa
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South Africa
Birth Registration
ID and Related Services
ID and Related Services
Unique Personal Identifier (UPI)
Is a Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) assigned at birth registration for every child born in the country?
UPI assigned at birth registration but only to citizens
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
The UN guidance recommends that a unique personal identifier (UPI) is assigned and entered into the birth record for every child born within the territory of the country, regardless of citizenship, ethnicity, nationality, or residency status. This facilitates the linkage of records in the CR and ID systems.
South Africa assigns an identity number at birth registration for children of citizens, permanent residents, and recognised refugees, which functions as a unique personal identifier. The Identification Act requires that every person whose particulars are included in the National Population Register be assigned an identity number encoding date of birth, gender, and citizenship status. However, children of temporary non-citizen parents, including asylum seekers, do not receive an identity number and are not entered into the National Population Register. The identifier is therefore not universal for all children born in the country.
Registration Linked to Access to Key Services and Other Incentives
Is proof of birth registration required in order to access any public services?
Unclear
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
Birth certificate should be requested to access public services, such as child immunizations and wellness checks, school enrolllment, etc. Absence of a birth certificate should not prevent the child from accessing healthcare, education, or other services. However, if health workers (such as vaccination workers, doctors, nurses) or other public servants see an unregistered child, they can use the opportunity to report the birth or educate the parents about birth registration.
No provision in the Births and Deaths Registration Act or the 2014 Regulations expressly links birth registration to access to specific public services such as healthcare or education. The specific linkage between birth registration and individual services is established in sectoral legislation not reviewed in this analysis.
Law Source
National ID
Is proof of birth registration required by law to issue a national ID card?
Yes
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
For those born in the country, birth registration should be required in order to register for a national ID. For refugees, migrants or stateless persons born outside the country and lacking proof of birth registration from country of origin, the law should provide alternative means to validate their identity and obtain identity credentials.
The Identification Act requires that every South African citizen and every person lawfully and permanently resident in the Republic have their particulars included in the National Population Register. Every person included in the population register who has reached the age of 16 must apply for an identity card. Since inclusion in the population register occurs through birth registration, and the identity number is assigned at that point, birth registration is the prerequisite for obtaining a national identity document. The Act provides for issuance of an identity card containing the identity number, personal particulars, photograph, and fingerprints.
