Author
Home > Health > What is the Difference Between Abridged and Unabridged Birth Certificate?

Guilherme Mazui

•3 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Abridged and Unabridged Birth Certificate?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main difference between abridged and unabridged birth certificates lies in the information they contain about the parents. Here are the key differences:

  • Abridged Birth Certificate: This type of birth certificate merely indicates the name and surname of the child's mother. It is issued by the Department of Home Affairs and contains information such as the child's identity number, full name, and country of birth. Abridged birth certificates are typically issued within minutes or hours of the request.
  • Unabridged Birth Certificate: This birth certificate includes the details of both the mother and the father. It is also issued by the Department of Home Affairs, but it takes between 6 weeks to 6 months to issue an unabridged birth certificate. Unabridged birth certificates are required in certain situations, such as when applying for passports, citizenship by descent, permanent residency, or insurance.

In South Africa, children born between 1995 and March 2013 were issued abridged birth certificates, while those born after March 2013 were issued unabridged birth certificates. Abridged birth certificates are still valid documents that can be used in schools, universities, and government offices.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Abridged and Unabridged Birth Certificate?
  • Comparative Table: Abridged vs Unabridged Birth Certificate

    • Comparative Table: Abridged vs Unabridged Birth Certificate

    Here is a table highlighting the key differences between an abridged and unabridged birth certificate:

    Criteria Abridged Birth Certificate Unabridged Birth Certificate
    Information Contains basic information such as the individual's name, date of birth, place of birth, and registration number. Contains detailed information including the individual's name, date of birth, place of birth, registration number, parents' names, and additional details such as the parents' occupations, addresses, and nationality.
    Purpose Typically used for general identification purposes. Often required for specific purposes like passport applications, visa and citizenship applications, and marriages.
    When is it Required? Abridged birth certificates are not accepted when applying for passports. Unabridged birth certificates are required for certain situations, such as applying for citizenship by descent or becoming a permanent resident.

    Abridged birth certificates merely indicate the name and surname of a child's mother, while unabridged birth certificates include the details of both the mother and the father. Unabridged birth certificates are often necessary for various legal and official purposes, whereas abridged certificates are used for general identification purposes.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.