South African/UK dual citizen - SA Passport - Please Help!

[Edelweiss]

Hi there all

My sister is a South African who has taken British Citizenship. Before this she applied to the SA Consulate to also keep her SA citizenship. She now needs to renew her South African passport. The SA Consulate Website says that she needs to get a letter from the Home Office saying that she has NOT taken UK citizenship?!? What does she do about this? And what other tips you can give?

Please help!

Thanks

[Mr Rusty]

Read the application forms and use your common sense.
There appear to be two forms, one for the passport application, and a second, B1-529, Declaration of Citizenship, which includes a question about whether you have retained South African Citizenship, if so, attach the certificate showing this.
If your sis has that certificate, the requirement for a letter from the Home Office seems irrelevant, and inappropriate to your application.
But if it bothers you, why not ask the Consulate?

[Edelweiss]

Thank you for the reply Mr Rusty. I have looked through the website and found it confusing - otherwise I wouldn't be asking questions here. It has also been my experience that advice from members of this board - many of whom are extremely helpful - is often invaluable as there are many tips regarding an extra bit of evidence to take or a different way of doing something, that can make all the difference.

If there is anyone out there that can and would be happy to help, I would very much appreciate it.

[Dawie]

Can't really add much to what Mr Rusty has already said. Stop worrying!

[Edelweiss]

Hi Dawie

This is not a question of worrying. My sister would like to make an appointment and go down to London. Unfortunately she can't afford to do this several times in a row and would like to have ALL documents and would like to know if anyone has had direct experience of how the process works and what needs to be done and what papers to take with her. That way she can make sure that there are no silly surprises when she gets there.

Let me give an example. When I applied for my Schengen visa I got some good advice on making an appointment and how the case workers deal with applications. I was able to take everything I needed with me and the process was made easier.

So if anyone has had experience with applying for a South African passport in this country (as a UK/SA dual citizen), please I would love to hear from you!!

[Edelweiss]

Any Saffers out there?

[Dawie]

I am a Saffa, and I have already explained to you that Mr Rusty has answered your question sufficiently. I too hold dual South African/British citizenship and I can assure you there is no problem.

It's pretty obvious that the requirement for a letter confirming that someone has not taken British citizenship does NOT apply to someone who is a dual British/South African citizen and has seeked permission from the embassy to aquire British citizenship OR if they were British/South African from birth in which case no permission is required.

Read the South African embassy website, it's pretty clear what is required.