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I am South African here in the UK on a 5 year ancestral visa. I got married 18 months ago to a British National, we have bought property together and I have worked since I arrived in the UK.
Do I apply for ILR or do I apply for a spousal visa? looking at the ILR application not all the requirements are clear regarding time scales etc. If I needed to travel after I have applied for ILR or the spousal route how am I to travel without my passport?
also, it look like the certificates required like my birth certificate need to ne originals but these were given to the British High Commission when I applied for my visa to come to the UK and I never received these back. Are unabridged copies acceptable and are the certificates my ancestral line, ie: grandfather, mother and then mine?

Do I apply for ILR or do I apply for a spousal visa?

You apply for ILR.

looking at the ILR application not all the requirements are clear regarding time scales etc. If I needed to travel after I have applied for ILR or the spousal route how am I to travel without my passport?

You can apply in person for a same day decision. It does not have to be a postal application. In person costs an extra £590 on top of the ILR fee.

also, it look like the certificates required like my birth certificate need to ne originals but these were given to the British High Commission when I applied for my visa to come to the UK and I never received these back. Are unabridged copies acceptable and are the certificates my ancestral line, ie: grandfather, mother and then mine?

You should have received all your documents back. HO have no reason to keep hold of your documents and you should have raised this issue at the time. Unabridged should be fine though.

The link below is lengthy but has a lot of good information on ILR via the Ancestry route.

indefinite-leave-to-remain/ancestry-vis ... 84361.html