[E&C]

Hi - did anyone else have to get their original birth certificate out of Zimbabwe? I was born there and I've lot my birth certificate so was wondering whether I must just get an unabridged birth certificate from South Africa Home Affairs (which worked fine for my travels to USA and Scotland) or whether I will need to get one from Zimbabwe. If you did - was it a mission or just normal waiting periods? Do you apply to their home affairs or to the hospital you were born in??

Also - I've seen that relationship evidence is needed so a bit worried about that. What kind of evidence? We don't have joint bank accounts in South Africa but my husband is a signatory on my account and he signed a Power of Attorney about 3 years ago - wll that be enough? All our other accounts (electricity and our bond) are either in my name or his, none in both our names. We're on the same medical aid but not sure if that will be proof of anything? We also have a baby but how do we prove that he's ours and not mine only or husband's only?

[anna_c]

Can't help with the birth certificate, but as far as relationship evidence goes it's a matter of building up as much info as possible. Bills in either name are fine as long as they are for the same address. Do you have a birth cert for the baby naming both of you? Photographs, letters from friends, evidence of joint travel (eg passport stamps with same date), transfers between your bank accounts, joint insurance can all help.

If you search for partnership evidence in this forum you'll find plenty more examples.

[E&C]

Thanks very much Anna - your response helped ease my mind A LOT. We've got most of the things you suggested (visa, photos, accounts to the same address etc) so at least I don't have to worry about that side of things.

I think I'm just going to get a passport place to get my birth certificate sorted out as I'm sure they know more about that sort of thing anyway. I know when we went to USA the south african issued unabridged birth certificate (which I also lost - not great with papers as you can see) was enough so maybe it will be enough for this too.

Thanks again for your help!