Lost Birth Certificate Affidavit
Declare under oath that a birth certificate has been lost, stolen, or destroyed to support an application for a re-issued birth certificate at the Department of Home Affairs. Also used to explain the missing certificate to schools, SASSA, banks, and other institutions while the replacement from Home Affairs is pending.
Prefer to fill in by hand?
Download a blank PDF template to print and complete manually.
Download Blank TemplateLost Birth Certificate Affidavit Affidavit — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I replace a lost birth certificate in South Africa?
Apply for a re-issue at any Department of Home Affairs office by completing the application for a birth certificate, presenting your ID, and paying the prescribed fee. Where the certificate was lost or stolen, Home Affairs or other institutions may ask for a sworn affidavit explaining what happened — you can have it commissioned free of charge at any SAPS police station.
How long does it take to get a birth certificate reprinted at Home Affairs?
An unabridged or vault copy can take several weeks or longer because the record must be retrieved from the national population register, while a standard re-issue is often quicker. Apply as early as possible, keep your receipt, and use a commissioned affidavit of loss as interim proof of the circumstances for schools, SASSA, or other institutions while you wait.
How do I make a lost birth certificate affidavit affidavit legally valid in South Africa?
Fill in the lost birth certificate 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 lost birth certificate affidavit affidavit template free?
Yes. You can generate a completed lost birth certificate 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.