Problems are usually experienced by people who are having difficulties in getting a first Identity Document (ID). Very often it is because their citizenship is being questioned by the Department of Home Affairs. ID books are only issued to citizens and to those non-citizens who have been given a permit to stay permanently in South Africa.

If the person does not have a birth certificate or good proof of being born in South Africa, they will be asked to bring all sorts of information about their parents, their schooling and so on.

Warning:
Anyone giving advice must be very careful when dealing with citizenship problems. IF A MISTAKE IS MADE IT MAY MEAN THAT A CLIENT’S CASE IS RUINED AND CANNOT BE PUT RIGHT.

Advice givers can assist a person to collect all the right proofs and documents but should then refer the case to a Law Clinic, or public interest law firm such as the Legal Resources Centre, before doing anything else.