DHA - Can I Submit Affidavits Instead Of DHA Records?
Yes, you can absolutely use sworn affidavits and secondary evidence if the South African Department of Home Affairs (DHA) or local courts cannot provide your official documents.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Resettlement Support Center (RSC) are fully aware that getting papers from Home Affairs can be extremely difficult, slow, or even impossible.
The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) has clear rules that allow you to prove your identity, marriages, or divorces using alternative proof.
Here is exactly how you can use affidavits and secondary records to protect and advance your refugee case:
The Rule for Missing Papers
If you cannot provide primary documents like a passport, birth certificate, or divorce decree, you must clearly explain why they are unavailable. USCIS will look for a history of "good faith attempts" to get the paperwork, or a clear statement explaining how the local tracking systems failed.
If you cannot provide primary documents like a passport, birth certificate, or divorce decree, you must clearly explain why they are unavailable. USCIS will look for a history of "good faith attempts" to get the paperwork, or a clear statement explaining how the local tracking systems failed.
Submitting Sworn Affidavits
When official government records simply do not exist or cannot be retrieved, you must submit at least two independent affidavits.
When official government records simply do not exist or cannot be retrieved, you must submit at least two independent affidavits.
- These must be written, sworn statements from people who are not part of your application (like relatives, neighbors, or community elders).
- The people writing them must have direct personal knowledge of the event, such as your birth or your marriage.
- Each affidavit must list the writer's full name, address, date of birth, and an exact explanation of how they know this information about you.
Other Acceptable Secondary Evidence
To make your case as strong as possible, you should back up your affidavits with other historical records from your life in South Africa or your home country. These are called secondary evidence and include:
To make your case as strong as possible, you should back up your affidavits with other historical records from your life in South Africa or your home country. These are called secondary evidence and include:
- Religious Records: Baptism certificates, church marriage registries, or confirmation papers.
- School Documents: Early report cards, school registry logs, or diplomas listing your parents' names.
- Medical Files: Hospital birth sheets, clinic immunization cards, or older medical records.
- Old Copies: Any clear photocopies of your lost or damaged papers, even if you do not have the originals anymore.
What You Need to Do Next
Gather as many overlapping pieces of secondary evidence as you can find. Having multiple older records that show the same names and dates makes it much easier for the resettlement officers to confidently verify your story, accept your file, and approve your application without delays.
Gather as many overlapping pieces of secondary evidence as you can find. Having multiple older records that show the same names and dates makes it much easier for the resettlement officers to confidently verify your story, accept your file, and approve your application without delays.
With love
Accidental Refugee