Start Application
Full / Unabridged Birth Certificate Vault Birth Certificate Birth Certificate + Apostille Already Applied? Expedite My Application
Marriage Certificates Vault Marriage Certificates Letter of No Impediment Death Certificates Apostille & Legalisation South African Passports →
How It Works
Which Birth Certificate Do I Need? Birth Certificate vs Vault Copy Problems With Home Affairs No Record / Missing Birth Registration FAQs
Start Application
Home  /  Help & Advice  /  Which Birth Certificate Do I Need?
Start with what you've been asked for

Which South African birth certificate do I need?

Full, unabridged, vault copy, apostilled certificate: the terminology can be confusing, especially when the request comes from an authority in another country. The right document depends on what they actually need from you.

Don't guess and order the wrong document. If you have a checklist, email or written requirement, keep it available. The exact wording, destination country and purpose of the document are the best starting points for deciding which South African record is appropriate.
Create Account & Ask Us → Compare Certificate vs Vault Copy
The three main routes

Match the wording you've been given to the document.

These are the three birth-certificate services already available through this site. Use the receiving authority's wording as your guide rather than choosing the document that simply sounds the most comprehensive.

Most common route

Full / Unabridged Birth Certificate

The standard full South African birth certificate used for many citizenship, immigration, marriage, passport and other official processes.

This may be the right route if they ask for:
  • Full birth certificate
  • Unabridged birth certificate
  • Long-form birth certificate
  • A certificate showing parental details
View Full / Unabridged Service →
Specific underlying record

Vault Birth Certificate

A specialist request relating to the underlying South African birth registration record rather than simply the normally issued full certificate.

This may be the right route if they specifically ask for:
  • Vault copy
  • Vault birth record
  • Original birth registration record
  • The underlying registration behind the certificate
View Vault Birth Certificate →
For international use

Birth Certificate + Apostille

For cases where the South African birth certificate must also go through an authentication stage before it is presented to an overseas authority.

This may be the right route if they ask for:
  • Apostilled birth certificate
  • Birth certificate with apostille
  • An authenticated certificate for foreign use
  • Authentication after the certificate is obtained
View Certificate + Apostille →
!
“More detailed” does not automatically mean “more correct”. A vault record is not automatically better than a full birth certificate, and an apostille is not automatically required because the document will be used overseas. The authority receiving the document determines what is appropriate.
?
Still not certain? Don't choose one just to continue. Create your SA Docs account and start chatting with us. Show us the checklist, email or requirement you've received, tell us the country and explain what you are trying to achieve. We will listen to the circumstances and guide you towards the appropriate existing service.
Create Account & Ask Us →