Guardianship Affidavit
Declare under oath that a minor child lives in your care and that you are responsible for the child's day-to-day upbringing — for school enrolment, clinic and medical care, and everyday decisions — without a formal court order. Very common in South Africa where grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives care for children while the parents work elsewhere, are deceased, or are unable to care for the child.
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Download a blank PDF template to print and complete manually.
Download Blank TemplateGuardianship Affidavit Affidavit — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get guardianship of my grandchild in South Africa?
Formal guardianship can only be assigned by a court under the Children's Act 38 of 2005. For everyday purposes, however — enrolling the child in school, clinic visits, or applying for a SASSA grant as the primary caregiver — a sworn guardianship or caregiver affidavit, commissioned free at any SAPS police station, is widely accepted as proof that the child lives in your care.
Can a grandmother enrol a child in school without the parents in South Africa?
Yes, in most cases. Schools generally accept a sworn affidavit from the relative caring for the child explaining the arrangement, together with the child's birth certificate and the caregiver's ID and proof of residence. Contact the school beforehand to confirm exactly which documents it requires for enrolment.
How do I make a guardianship affidavit affidavit legally valid in South Africa?
Fill in the guardianship affidavit affidavit, print it, and sign it in front of a Commissioner of Oaths — do not sign beforehand. Bring your ID document. Commissioning is free at any SAPS police station, and Commissioners of Oaths are also available at banks, post offices, and attorneys' offices.
Is this guardianship affidavit affidavit template free?
Yes. You can generate a completed guardianship affidavit affidavit PDF or download a blank printable template completely free, with no sign-up required. Your information is used only to generate the document and is not stored after the PDF is created.