A vault copy is an official reproduction of the original registration record kept in the Department of Home Affairs archives. Vault copies are most often requested for birth and.
When a birth, marriage or death is registered in South Africa, the original paperwork is meant to be stored in Home Affairs archives. These archives are sometimes referred to as the DHA vaults.
A vault copy is not the same as a newly issued certificate. It is a copy of the original registration document. For a birth, this may be the original birth registration form. For a marriage, this may be the marriage register, often known as the DHA-30 or BI-30.
Official documents are issued by the relevant authority; Clearance Pros assists with preparation, guidance, follow ups and delivery.
Full names as they appeared at the time of registration
ID numbers, if available
Date and place of birth or marriage
Parent or spouse details
Existing abridged or unabridged certificate
Old handwritten records
DHA-30 or BI-30 marriage register, if available
Any previous Home Affairs reference numbers
What You May Need may include:
*Official documents are issued by the relevant authority; Clearance Pros assists with preparation, guidance, follow ups and delivery.
Requests can be delayed by:
Pro Tip:
Official documents are issued by the relevant authority; Clearance Pros assists with preparation, guidance, follow ups and delivery.
Is a vault copy the same as an unabridged certificate?
No. An unabridged certificate is a typed certificate issued from the Home Affairs system. A vault copy is a copy of the original registration record.
Can all vault records be found?
No. Some records are difficult to trace, damaged, misfiled or missing. The more information you can provide, the better.
Should I apply for the certificate or the vault copy first?
It depends on what the receiving authority asked for. Some authorities want both.
Can a vault copy be used overseas?
Often yes, but foreign use may require extra steps such as legalisation or authentication. Confirm the exact requirement with the receiving authority.
Need a vault birth or marriage record? Send us the person’s full details, the event date, the place of registration and any old certificates or registers you already have.
