They are not simply two versions of the same document. A full / unabridged birth certificate is the usual route for many official applications, while a vault request concerns the underlying South African birth registration record.
The issued full South African birth certificate commonly requested for official processes overseas.
A request relating to the underlying birth registration record held within the South African records system.
They are not simply two versions of the same document. A full / unabridged birth certificate is the usual route for many official applications, while a vault request concerns the underlying South African birth registration record.
The issued full South African birth certificate commonly requested for official processes overseas.
A request relating to the underlying birth registration record held within the South African records system.
Both relate to your South African birth record, but they serve different requests. The wording supplied by the organisation receiving your documents should determine which route you choose.
This is the normal route where the authority wants the issued full South African birth certificate rather than the underlying registration record.
View Full / Unabridged Service →Choose this route where the requirement specifically points to the vault copy, original registration or underlying birth record.
View Vault Birth Certificate →