FAQ

1. Refund of a cash deposit

A cash deposit shall be refunded on receipt of the following documents:

- original passport to confirm the holder's final departure from the Republic of South Africa, or whether a permanent residence permit was issued to the holder;
- original receipt, issued by our office or by a regional office of the Department of Home Affairs, if applicable, in respect of the payment of the cash deposit (Please note that under no circumstances, will a cash deposit be refunded, should this original receipt be lost);
- letter confirming the details of applicant's bank account (Bankverbindung) and contact details; and
- a self-addressed A5-size envelope with postage paid for €3,50 (per Einschreiben), to return your passport (not necessary for applicants who submit the above-mentioned documents personally during the Consular Section's opening hours: Mon-Fri; 09:00-12:00).

2. Certification of documents & signing before a Commissioner of Oath

Documents may be certified by or signed before a Commissioner of Oath either at the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Berlin or at the South African Consulate General in Munich (Tel. 089 231 1630). Persons who wish to visit the Embassy in Berlin for such certification must make appointment for this purpose.

3. Importation of pets

Information as well as the relevant application forms with regard to the importation of pets into the Republic of South Africa may be obtained from either the relevant airline or from the Department of Agriculture: http://www.nda.agric.za/vetweb/Import/I_Live_Animals.htm

4. Applying for a police clearance certificate for the Republic of South Africa

Persons living abroad must apply for a South African police clearance certificate directly from the Criminal Record Centre of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Pretoria:

http://www.saps.gov.za/_dynamicModules/internetSite/faqBuild.asp?myURL=268

Please note that only the fingerprint form is available at our office in Berlin or at the Consulate General in Munich (Tel. 089 231 1630). Applicants who wish to have their fingerprints taken at our office do not require an appointment, and may visit our office during the opening hours: Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 12:00.

5. Getting married in the Republic of South Africa

The following documents are required from a foreigner, who intends getting married in the Republic of South Africa:

1. a valid passport containing a valid residence permit for the Republic of South Africa e.g. visitor’s permit in the case of foreigners who have entered as tourists (the relevant entry requirements are available on request from our office); the requirement of a minimum period of stay is not prescribed to get married;
2. in the case of a previous marriage, final decree of divorce or deceased spouse’s death certificate, together with a sworn translation into English.

Prospective parties to a marriage should be informed about the procedure by the marriage officer, who will conduct the ceremony in the Republic of South Africa, to ensure that they comply with the legal requirements. Should they be unsure of any of these, we advise parties to a marriage to seek legal counsel before the marriage is entered into. Please note that the clergy as well as representatives of the Department of Home Affairs, as designated by the Minister of Home Affairs, may perform marriages i.e. act as marriage officers.

After solemnisation of the marriage, both parties to the marriage, the two witnesses and the marriage officer must sign the marriage register, upon which the marriage officer must issue the parties with a marriage certificate free of charge. The marriage officer must submit the marriage register to the nearest Home Affairs office for recording of the marriage particulars in the National Population Register (NPR).

Please note that a full (unabridged) marriage certificate is required to register a marriage in Germany; this document may also be applied for through the Embassy in Berlin or Consulate-General in Munich.

Further general information regarding getting married in the Republic of South Africa may be obtained from the website of the Department of Home Affairs:

http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/civil_marriage.asp