The law on Retention of South African Citizenship changed following a Constitutional Court judgment on 6 May 2025. South African citizens are no longer automatically deprived of their citizenship simply because they acquire another country's citizenship without first obtaining retention approval.If you previously lost, or believe you may have lost, your South African citizenship under the former retention rules, Certificate Assistance can help you understand the documentation and citizenship-status process that may apply to your circumstances.
Previously, section 6(1)(a) of the South African Citizenship Act provided for the automatic loss of South African citizenship when an adult voluntarily acquired another country's citizenship, unless permission to retain South African citizenship had first been obtained.
On 6 May 2025, the Constitutional Court confirmed that this provision was unconstitutional and invalid from its inception on 6 October 1995.
People who lost South African citizenship under this provision are now deemed not to have lost their citizenship. Home Affairs has introduced an online process for affected individuals to verify their citizenship status and, where applicable, initiate the confirmation or reinstatement process.
You may need to verify your South African citizenship status if you:
• Acquired another country's citizenship after 6 October 1995 without obtaining prior retention approval
• Were previously informed that you had lost your South African citizenship
• Are unsure whether Home Affairs records still reflect you as a South African citizen
• Live abroad and need confirmation of your current South African citizenship status
• Need to establish your citizenship status before applying for South African documents
The Constitutional Court ruling does not apply in the same way to people who formally and voluntarily renounced their South African citizenship. Individual circumstances should therefore be checked carefully.
Certificate Assistance provides professional support for South Africans who need help understanding their citizenship status following the 2025 Constitutional Court judgment.
Our assistance may include:
The Department of Home Affairs determines citizenship status and the outcome of any official process.
Documents and Information That May Be RequiredThe documentation required will depend on your individual circumstances and the Home Affairs process that applies to you.You may need to provide:
Requirements may vary depending on your citizenship history and current Home Affairs records.
We focus on professional service, clear communication, and helping clients handle important South African documents with confidence.
We assist you throughout the process with clear guidance and professional handling of your documents.
We work with clients in South Africa and abroad who require official South African documents.
Your documents are handled securely, with structured communication and reliable support from start to finish.
Our process is simple, clear, and designed to guide you every step of the way.
Tell us about your circumstances and why you need confirmation of your South African citizenship status.
We help you understand the documentation and Home Affairs process that may apply to your circumstances.
Where applicable, we guide you through the relevant Home Affairs citizenship-status or confirmation process.
Answers to common questions about South African citizenship following the 2025 Constitutional Court judgment.
The Constitutional Court declared section 6(1)(a) of the South African Citizenship Act unconstitutional and invalid from its inception on 6 October 1995. The former automatic loss of citizenship under that provision therefore no longer applies.
People who lost South African citizenship through section 6(1)(a) are now deemed not to have lost their citizenship. Home Affairs provides an online process for affected individuals to verify their citizenship status..
Yes. The official Home Affairs online citizenship-status process is accessible from outside South Africa, and affected South Africans abroad can use the platform to verify their status.
Contact us with details of your circumstances. We can help you understand the documentation and citizenship-status process that may apply before you proceed with Home Affairs.
Get professional assistance understanding your citizenship status and the Home Affairs process that may apply to your circumstances. Contact us today for clear guidance and document support.