If you file for divorce in a country other than South Africa, you must register your divorce with Home Affairs. 

International or overseas divorce is a term referring to one that was issued in a foreign country rather than in South Africa.

How To Register a Foreign Divorce at Home Affairs

No application is necessary to register a foreign divorce at Home Affairs. However, you must submit certain documents to the Department of Home Affairs. These are a letter of request, certified copies of documents, certified translation to English of a foreign divorce order, and an affidavit of special power of attorney if someone other than you submits the documents.  

When a South African citizen files for divorce in another country, it’s critical that the divorce be registered with the South African Department of Home Affairs.

Many individuals are unaware that there’s no official application for the registration of a foreign divorce in South Africa, especially for those who filed for divorce in another country.

The only method to change the marital status on the National Population Register is to accomplish this task.

Furthermore, because a foreign divorce was issued in a foreign country rather than in South Africa, the divorce isn’t the same as an international divorce granted in South Africa.

It’s a relatively simple process to file a foreign divorce at Home Affairs for the first time. Here are a few things to bear in mind if you wish to get through the procedure smoothly.

What Are the Requirements When Registering a Foreign Divorce?

Generally, there’s no application necessary, but the process will require the following documents that you need to submit to the Department of Home Affairs:

• A letter requesting the foreign divorce be registered.
• Certified copies of both ex-spouses’ passports and/or identification cards
• A certified copy of the foreign divorce order
• A certified translation of the foreign divorce order (if the foreign divorce order isn’t in English)
• Affidavit of special power of attorney (if an attorney or third party submits the documents on your behalf)