South African government paperwork, in plain English.
Step-by-step guides for Home Affairs, SARS, UIF, SASSA, licensing and more — plus free, editable Word templates for letters, affidavits and consent forms and also downloadable PDF checklists for your convenience.
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All guides →Popular guides
View all →How to Apply for a Smart ID Card in South Africa
Step-by-step guide to applying for a South African Smart ID Card at Home Affairs or a participating bank, with requirements, fees, and processing time.
How to Apply for a South African Passport
Apply for a new South African passport at Home Affairs or your bank. Requirements, forms, fees, and processing time explained in plain English.
How to Get an Unabridged Birth Certificate
Apply for an unabridged (full) birth certificate at Home Affairs. Required for children travelling abroad and many school and visa applications.
How to Register a Late Birth in South Africa
Register a birth after 30 days with Home Affairs. Late registration requirements, forms, and what happens at your interview.
How to Change Your Surname After Marriage or Divorce
Change your surname at Home Affairs after marriage, divorce, or by choice. Forms (BI-196), requirements, and when the change is free.
How to Get a SARS Tax Number for the First Time
First-time SARS tax number registration for new employees. Do it online via eFiling, the SARS MobiApp, or at a SARS branch.
Popular templates
View all →Bursary Motivation Letter Template (Word)
Free editable Word template for a South African bursary motivation letter, with a filled-in example.
Scholarship Motivation Letter Template (Word)
Word template for a scholarship motivation letter suitable for South African and international scholarships.
Matric Exemption Motivation Letter Template
Motivation letter template for a Universities SA matric exemption application.
South African CV Template (Word)
Clean, ATS-friendly CV template for the South African job market. Includes ID number, references, and B-BBEE status fields.
Resignation Letter Template (Word)
Simple, professional resignation letter template for South African employees, honouring your BCEA notice period.
Salary Increase Request Letter (Word)
Word template for a professional salary increase request letter, based on performance and market benchmarks.