Renunciation of South African Citizenship

The Citizenship legislation, effective on 6 October 1995 (Act 88 of 1995) provides for South African citizens to voluntarily apply to renounce their South African Citizenship. To be eligible, applicants must be older than 18 years old and have already obtained the citizenship of another country, to avoid the person being stateless.

All South Africans living, working and travelling abroad must depart and enter South Africa using a valid South African passport. South African citizens that have applied for renunciation of citizenship are equally bound by this legal requirement until such time that they receive their renunciation certificate.

Renunciation check list (please complete the forms in black ink):

  1. Application form DHA-246 to be provided by this office.

  2. Form DHA-529. Details of your present status in order that we may ascertain your claim for South African citizenship. Information pertaining to parent's details; minimum of their full names, full date and place of birth are required.

  3. The Naturalisation Certificate issued by the Republic of China (Taiwan) (準歸化中華民國證明書). Please have it notarized by any district courts AND authenticated by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BOCA website).

  4. Photocopy of your South African Birth Certificate (if applicable). 

  5. ORIGINAL of the following documents:

    • South African Passports

    • Identity Documents

    • Retention of South African Citizenship certificate (if applicable)

    • South African Naturalization certificate (if applicable).

    • South African Permanent Residence Permit (if applicable)

    • Taiwan Alien’s Resident Certificate (ARC or APRC)

  6. There is no fee to be paid for this application.

 

Please note that application will be forwarded to the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria, South Africa for processing. It can take up to 9 - 12 months. This office has no control over the timeframe and the decision.