Birth Records in South Africa

Birth Records are undoubtedly the most important record in the last 130 years for tracing your family history. Without knowing who someone’s parents are you can easily end up tracing the wrong line. Using birth records as a starting point is always the first step in tracing your family, this is if there was no infidelity as only a DNA test would prove otherwise.

These birth entries have been transcribed from the original Home Affairs Registers held in the National Archives – they are the genuine thing.

Search HERE for birth records. These will be updated from various provinces in South Africa over time.  So please come and check often.

If anyone wants an actual copy of a birth certificate, they have to go to Home Affairs in person and apply for a copy. They will need to print out the image as per the link provided and take it to the nearest Home Affairs office with this following information:

1. The full name of the child
2. Date of birth
3. Place of birth registration
4. Entry number

Home Affairs will then provide them with a certified copy.

More information on birth records can be found here:

When did Civil Registration being for Birth Records in South Africa?

Index to Birth Records in the Cape Town Archives

Index to Birth Records in the Cape

Index to Eastern Cape Birth Registers in the Cape Town Archives

Index to Births Registers for the Northern Cape in the Cape Town Archives

Index to Birth Registers in Natal