Immigration Assist

  Obtaining an   unabridged birth certificate in South Africa   is often more complicated than expected. These documents are essential for   passport applications ,   citizenship claims , and   international travel , yet many people encounter frustrating delays or errors. At   Immigration Assist , we help clients resolve these issues quickly and correctly. Here are the most common problems — and how we help fix them: 1. Missing Stamp or Signature A frequent issue is receiving a certificate that lacks the official  Home Affairs stamp or signature , making it invalid for legal or international use. ✅ Solution:  Return the document to Home Affairs immediately and request proper authentication. We can assist with this process to avoid delays. 2. Laminated Certificates Are Rejected Laminating your certificate may seem like a good idea, but it actually  invalidates the document . Many embassies, including the UK, will not accept laminated cert...

  The Constitutional Court Ruling Explained In May 2025 , the Constitutional Court of South Africa ruled that Section 6(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act was unconstitutional from the beginning. This section previously caused thousands of South Africans to lose their citizenship automatically when they naturalised abroad without first applying for retention. With the judgment, anyone who fell under that rule is now legally considered to have never lost their South African citizenship . Retention Letters: Do You Still Need Them? From a legal perspective , the court’s decision makes retention letters unnecessary. In theory, South Africans can now take on another nationality without applying for permission to retain their SA citizenship. However, the practical reality is different . The Department of Home Affairs and many South African missions abroad still rely on outdated systems. Without a retention letter, your file might be incorrectly marked as “citizenship lost,” which can: ...