Home Affairs still transcribing birth records
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has asked those whose births have not been transferred to its digital system to go to their nearest home affairs office to register.This after several applications for passports were declined due to a lack of information about their birth on the ministry's digital system.
Executive director Etienne Maritz said those hoping to register their birth on the digital system must show accompanying documents to prove their birth. "The process of bringing birth records up to date is quick," he assured.
However, citizens do not have to worry about the transition to the digital system. "The updates are crucial to ensure accurate civil records. Consequently, it makes it easy for the passport department to obtain birth records and issue passports accordingly," he said.
Maritz added that those who want to get a passport must still take their birth certificate, an identity document or a citizenship certificate with them, but it is also required that their births are registered on the digital system. He explained that people who were born before the implementation of the digital system may be affected.
According to Maritz, the bottleneck in updating non-digital records on the digital system is a challenge the ministry has been able to make a dent in in recent years. "These historical records have been digitised and the project is still ongoing as the ministry transcribes all records so they can be accessed on the system. The necessary work and resources have been put in place to ensure successful completion." - [email protected]