The short answer
Your best option would be to urgently consult with an organisation experienced in dealing with Home Affairs.
The whole question
Where can I get help with getting Home Affairs to process my application for citizenship for my son, born in 2020 in Russia, and whose father is South African? Russian birth certificates do not mention the father, so my child’s father had a DNA test done to confirm paternity. My 90 days of not having to have a visa are fast running out and still no response from Home Affairs.
The long answer
The South African Citizenship Act, 1995 (Act 88 of 1995) was amended by the South African Citizenship Amendment Act, 2010 (Act No. 17 of 2010) which came into operation on 1 January 2013. It brought in new requirements for claiming citizenship. This is what the South African High Commission says: A child born outside South Africa and of which at least one of the parents was a South African citizen at the time of the child`s birth has a claim to South African citizenship by descent. The child`s birth must, however, be registered in South Africa for the child to acquire South African citizenship.
Foreign Birth Registration, according to Home Affairs:
• All births registered by the Department are in terms of the Births and Deaths Registration Act. There is no exclusion or separate requirements for foreign birth registrations;
• Supporting documents must be attached to an application as prescribed in the Births and Deaths Registration Act. Only complete applications with required supporting documents will be accepted and processed for Foreign Birth Registration;
• Offices must ensure that parents/grandparents birth certificates are attached with every application submitted. Without these no application will be processed.
Requirements:
• Application form Notice of Birth (DHA 24);
• DHA 529 (applicant, parents duly fully completed);
• Full birth certificate of the applicant;
• Front office will verify birth certificate of the applicant’s age from 15 years and above

with the country of origin (embassy);
• Marriage certificate if the parents are married or both parents must acknowledge paternity;
• Proof of birth/citizenship of the South African parent;
• Police report from country of origin as well as one from South Africa (15 years and above);
• An interview report for both the applicant and the South African parent (15 years and above);
• Proof of Paternity / DNA tests (15 years and above).
To apply for South African citizenship by descent, you will need to submit the following documents to the Department of Home Affairs:
• Form DHA-24 to register your birth;
• Form BI-24, signed by both parents if your parents were unmarried at the time of your birth, to confirm paternity;
• Forms DHA-529
• Your birth certificate;
• Your parents’ marriage certificate (if applicable);
• Form DHA-9, the application form for an identity document, along with two ID photographs (for those aged 15 years and over);
• Proof of your parents’ identity;
• If applicable, proof of your parents’ foreign citizenship.
As I understand from your email, you have done all these things, but you have still not got a response from Home Affairs.
As you probably know, Home Affairs has a huge backlog of applications, and many people are severely disadvantaged by the department’s dysfunctionality. The problem is that if your visa runs out before they get onto your application, you are in danger of being deported and then they can ban you from coming back for the next five years as an undesirable person.
Since Home Affairs has proved more responsive to a stronger legal voice than inquiries made by an ordinary person, I think your best option would be to urgently consult with one of the following organisations which have had a great deal of experience in dealing with Home Affairs. V.4898

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BEIJING - China said it would gradually raise its statutory retirement age, as the country grapples with a looming demographic crisis and an older population. Hundreds of millions of people in China are set to enter old age in the coming decades while the birth rate dwindles dramatically. V.5610
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The Western Cape High Court has temporarily stopped the initiation of any process to deport a foreign national who has indicated an intent to apply for asylum, until their application has been finalised. • The Western Cape High Court has temporarily halted the initiation of any process to deport a foreign national who has indicated an intent to apply for asylum, until their application has been finalised. • The interim interdict will remain in place pending the outcome of the main court application brought by the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town. • The court is expected to hear that main challenge in February 2025. V.5612
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South Africa’s plan to attract more professionals to its skills-starved economy through the introduction of a so-called nomad visa for remote workers has been slowed by the need to amend tax regulations. The impediment comes after an initial delay when changes to the visa regime had to be temporarily withdrawn because mandatory public consultation procedures hadn’t been followed. V.5613
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Illegal land occupation has been a very big problem in Pretoria east for decades now, with the evolution of more than two informal settlements, with dwellers being illegal immigrants. Tshwane metro will look to work with Home Affairs to combat illegal land occupation, illegal immigration and theft, according to FF Plus councillor and MMC for community safety in Tshwane, Grandi Theunissen. V.5607
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The City of Tshwane’s fight against hijacking of inner-city buildings could soon take a new turn aimed at deporting illegal immigrants likely to be found guilty of invading those properties. This comes after MMC for Community Safety, Grandi Theunissen, also FF Plus councillor, indicated that the municipality and the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, agreed to join hands in addressing the problem. V.5608
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The departments of Home Affairs and Basic Education deployed mobile units to 1 625 school nationwide to assist young people in rural areas. The Department of Home Affairs is on a drive to assist young people get their IDs. In partnership with the Department of Basic Education, mobile units have scoured the nation’s schools to provide DHA services. V.5603
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South Africa is set to simplify travel for Indian tourists by introducing a 90-day visa waiver starting in January 2025. Along with the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme, these initiatives aim to streamline the visa process and boost tourism significantly. Great news for travelers from India and China! South Africa is taking significant steps to attract more Indian tourists by introducing a 90-day visa waiver starting in January 2025. The new policy aims to simplify travel for Indian visitors and is expected to increase the number of tourists from India. V.5604
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Kuwait’s Central Agency for Remedying Illegal Residents’ Status (CARIRS) has revoked the citizenship of more than 10,000 people with dual nationality between 2011 and last month, the KUNA news agency has reported. According to the agency, the step is the result of a full decade of Kuwaiti efforts to address the dual nationality file, and comes as a culmination of a campaign that began last year to confront those who obtain Kuwaiti citizenship illegally. V.5605
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