How to Register Divorce at Home Affairs​

In South Africa, registering a divorce with the Department of Home Affairs is an important step after the divorce has been finalised in court. Here’s how you can do it:

Steps to Register a Divorce at Home Affairs:

1. Obtain a Decree of Divorce:
   Before registering your divorce with Home Affairs, you need to have a Decree of Divorce from the court. This document is proof that your marriage has been legally dissolved. The court issues this once the divorce proceedings are complete.
2. Go to Home Affairs:
   Once you have your Decree of Divorce, visit your nearest Home Affairs office with the necessary documents. You cannot register a divorce online, so a physical visit is required.
3. Documents Required:
   You will need to take the following documents with you:

• Certified copy of the Decree of Divorce (from the court).
• Certified copy of your ID.
• If applicable, your original marriage certificate.

1. Update Your Marital Status:
   At Home Affairs, you need to request that your marital status be updated from “married” to “divorced” in their records. This is essential for future legal processes, such as remarriage or updating your ID or passport.
2. Processing Time:
   Once you submit the required documents, Home Affairs will process the change in their system. This can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on how busy the office is.
3. Check Your Status:
   You can check if your marital status has been updated by visiting Home Affairs again or using the Home Affairs online status checker (when available).
4. New ID Documents:
   After your marital status has been updated, you may apply for a new ID card that reflects your updated marital status if necessary.

Why It’s Important to Register Your Divorce:

• Legal Proof: Your divorce needs to be registered with Home Affairs to ensure your marital status is correctly reflected in official documents.
• Future Legal Matters: If you plan to remarry or need to update any personal records (like bank accounts, insurance, etc.), your marital status must be updated to “divorced.”

For more information or to locate the nearest Home Affairs office, you can visit the official Department of Home Affairs website.