Recording an adoption
In terms of section 25 of the Child Care Act, 1983 (Act No. 74 of 1983) the Department of Home Affairs must record the adoption of a child in the child’s birth register if so requested by the adoptive parents.
To record the adoption, the adoptive parents must then:
- complete Form BI-193
- submit a written request to record the adoption to any domestic office of Home Affairs
- submit a certified copy of the adoption order
- pay the fee required to record an adoption
It is important to note that the Department of Home Affairs is responsible only for the recording of the adoption of a child in the child’s birth register if so requested by the adoptive parents.
Any other matters relating to adoption fall within the duties of the Department of Social Development (previously Welfare & Population Development).