Advice Needed Regarding Retaining Belgian Citizenship

[eukg]

Hello,

New to the forum to post, however following regularly to get advice regarding UK etc.

I have Belgian citizenship.
I was born in South Africa to a South African father and a Belgian mother.
Moved to the UK aged 9, where I have Permenant Residency. I've lived here around 20 years.

The Belgian Embassy have asked me to come in to declare my intention to keep that citizenship. I don't hold another nationality.
In order to sign the declaration, I have to provide an unabridged birth certificate copy, which has been legalised and translated.
This issue I have is that the SA Home Office said the time scale is anything from 2 weeks to 2 years. This isn't helpful as I have a few months until I turn 28, which is the deadline to make the declaration at the Belgian Embassy. They informed me of this declaration in October 2016. I applied for the birth certificate in Nov 2016 and haven't heard anything since.

I've searched everywhere online for anyone who might have advice etc. but there isn't any. The most I've found is someone saying they weren't sure about the birth certificate thing.

Has anyone been through the same?

Thanks!
EK

[CR001]

Surely you hold SA citizenship if born there?

Yes, unfortunately the wait for the birth certificate can be very long. I applied for all mine in SA and waited more than 9 months, one I was waiting for hadn't even arrived by the time I left SA.

Turnaround times in SA are substantially quicker. I reckon HA dept put the international request on the 'when I feel like it' pile.

[eukg]

Surely you hold SA citizenship if born there?

Yes, unfortunately the wait for the birth certificate can be very long. I applied for all mine in SA and waited more than 9 months, one I was waiting for hadn't even arrived by the time I left SA.

Turnaround times in SA are substantially quicker. I reckon HA dept put the international request on the 'when I feel like it' pile.

Thank you SO much for responding! I guess it's nice to have someone understand.

I don't think I have SA citizenship, it's never ever been brought up by my parents. I don't think they ever registered me as one back in Pretoria.
I spoke with the Belgian embassy again today, and they advised that I wouldn't be stateless as I'd still be a SA national. This is making my head spin.
How do I find out if I am a national or citizen because there is NOTHING out there, so it's another day of digging tomorrow lol! I don't have an ID number either, not one I can find anyway. Very confusing.

I guess I might have to apply for British Citizenship as advised by Citizens Advice, I have lived here in the UK now for 19 years so it's about time. Just sad to see my Belgian citizenship go, it was my mothers side and she passed 7 years ago. Felt like a connection

[CR001]

Thank you SO much for responding! I guess it's nice to have someone understand.

I don't think I have SA citizenship, it's never ever been brought up by my parents. I don't think they ever registered me as one back in Pretoria.
I spoke with the Belgian embassy again today, and they advised that I wouldn't be stateless as I'd still be a SA national. This is making my head spin.
How do I find out if I am a national or citizen because there is NOTHING out there, so it's another day of digging tomorrow lol! I don't have an ID number either, not one I can find anyway. Very confusing. If you have an SA birth certificate, your birth was registered in SA. It does not have to be at Pretoria, but can be done at any SA Home Affairs office. Your ID number will be on your birth certificate. You are automatically SA Cit if born there to a SA Cit parent. Do you have the short abridged version of your birth certificate?

I guess I might have to apply for British Citizenship as advised by Citizens Advice, I have lived here in the UK now for 19 years so it's about time. Just sad to see my Belgian citizenship go, it was my mothers side and she passed 7 years ago. Felt like a connection I am not familiar with Belgian citizenship laws. When did you get PR? Is it a vingette sticker in your passport?

[eukg]

If you have an SA birth certificate, your birth was registered in SA. It does not have to be at Pretoria, but can be done at any SA Home Affairs office. Your ID number will be on your birth certificate. You are automatically SA Cit if born there to a SA Cit parent. Do you have the short abridged version of your birth certificate?
Yes, I'll check it out tomorrow when I visit my dad! Thank you I don't have a clue about getting anything done in SA as I haven't lived there since I was nine lol

I am not familiar with Belgian citizenship laws. When did you get PR? Is it a vingette sticker in your passport?
I got PR in Dec 2003. I have a letter from the Home Office including a stamp, which I have to carry with my passport.