Documents you need to keep when emigrating from South Africa

Planning your emigration from South Africa? Whether you’re heading to Europe, Australia, or anywhere else abroad, having your paperwork in order can save you stress, time, and money. From your South African ID to tax documents and birth certificates, here’s your comprehensive checklist for emigrating — and why each document matters.

1. Moving abroad from South Africa: your identification essentials

Before leaving the country, make sure you have the following South African documents ready and stored safely:

• Green ID book or Smart ID card: This is your identity card in South Africa, issued by the Department of Home Affairs, South Africa. If you’re applying for an ID or replacing it before leaving, you can use eHomeAffairs South Africa to begin the process.
• Identity number, South Africa: Keep a record of your South African identification number — this number links you to many legal and financial systems.
• South African passport(s): Especially those with exit stamps or travel itineraries, as these are vital in proving the date of your departure from South Africa for tax emigration purposes.

If you’re planning to apply for a South African ID online or manage your affairs through the eHomeAffairs online portal, do so well before your planned move date to give yourself breathing room.

2. Leaving South Africa: personal and legal documents

Your identity goes beyond your ID document in South Africa. When emigrating, it’s important to take all relevant personal and legal documents with you:

• Birth certificate South Africa (unabridged): Required for visa applications, enrolling children in school, and legal verification abroad. You can apply for your South African birth certificate online through the Department of Home Affairs, South Africa.
• Marriage certificate or divorce certificate from South Africa: Essential if you’re married, divorced, or have changed your marital status.
• Unabridged marriage certificate in South Africa: Especially important if you were married abroad or if your marriage details have changed.
• Name change certificate, South Africa: Required if you’ve legally changed your name at any point.

Many of these documents will need to be apostilled in South Africa, especially if you’re moving to a country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention. For example, some governments may require an apostilled South African marriage certificate for official use, so plan to obtain certified and apostilled copies before you leave.

3. Emigration from South Africa: proof of residence and address

As part of your emigration from South Africa, you’ll need to show proof of both your South African address and your new address abroad for tax, financial, and legal purposes.

South African proof of residence:

• Proof of residence in South Africa usually includes a utility bill, bank statement, or an affidavit.
• Make sure to retain certified copies of these documents, as you may need them even after you’ve left the country.

Overseas proof of residence:

• Once you’ve settled abroad, keep evidence of your new residential address, such as a lease agreement, utility bill, or bank statement in your name.
• Hold on to the VISA or residency permit you used to enter your new country, as this supports your tax emigration and non-residency application with SARS.

Having a clear paper trail from your last South African address to your new international one is key to proving your permanent relocation.

4. Moving abroad from SA: driver’s license and travel documents

• Driver’s license South Africa: Consider applying for an International Driving Permit (IDP) if your destination country requires it.
• Travel itinerary, plane tickets, and passport stamps: These support your tax emigration processes by confirming your actual date of departure.

Emigration from South Africa has important tax implications, especially when it comes to proving your exit and calculating any Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on your assets. To ensure a smooth tax emigration process, be sure to keep the following financial documents:

Tax documentation:

• Tax ID South Africa / South African tax identification number
• SARS IRP5 forms and ITR12 tax returns — these show your income history and are essential for finalising your tax affairs.
• Can you get your IRP5 online? Yes! Log in to SARS eFiling to download your IRP5 certificate or IRP5 form.
• IT3 certificates, including:
  – IT3C: For assets that trigger capital gains tax (e.g. property or shares).
  – IT3A: For lump sum withdrawals from retirement funds.
• IT3A certificate: Especially important if you’re withdrawing from a retirement annuity after tax emigration.
• IRP5 form and any other supporting tax compliance documentation.

Financial & investment records:

• Annual financial statements for any business interests close to your exit date.
• Investment portfolio statements for shares, unit trusts, gold coins, Krugerrands, or crypto — showing the cost price and market value one day before your departure.
• Shareholding certificates or membership interest certificates for companies or close corporations you’re part of.
• Documentation related to foreign property you owned before leaving — including proof of purchase price and current value.

These documents are vital for calculating your deemed disposal for CGT, which applies when SARS treats your assets as having been sold the day before you cease to be a South African tax resident.

Read more: Tax planning secrets you must know before leaving South Africa.

6. Emigration from South Africa: banking and asset ownership proof

As part of your financial migration, it’s important to have a clear record of your financial position before leaving South Africa. These documents will support your SARS non-resident confirmation and may be required when transferring funds or proving the source of wealth abroad.

Key documents to keep:

• Bank statements: Retain statements covering at least the last 3 to 5 years, especially if you plan to move funds internationally.
• Unit trust and investment plan statements: These should reflect the market value and base cost of your investments as of the day before your exit.
• Shareholding certificates and membership interest certificates: These prove your ownership in any companies or close corporations.
• Foreign property documentation: If you owned property abroad before emigration, keep the original purchase documents along with a valuation dated one day before your exit from South Africa.

Maintaining accurate records of your assets and financial history ensures compliance with exchange control and tax requirements, while simplifying the emigration and fund transfer process.

Read more: Tax emigration – how to become a non-tax resident of South Africa.

7. Leaving South Africa: tax registration abroad

Once you’ve relocated, obtain the following from your new country of residence:

• Foreign tax registration number
• Local proof of residence when you first arrived
• VISA or residency document

These documents are critical to support your tax emigration from South Africa, especially under the SARS Approval for International Transfers (AIT) process.

If you left South Africa years ago but haven’t completed tax emigration, and you don’t have a SARS Non-Resident Confirmation Letter, you’ll need these documents now.

8. Emigration from South Africa: special circumstances to consider

If you’ve experienced any of the following, make sure to retain the relevant court or legal documents:

• Sequestration or liquidation: Keep your rehabilitation order or high court sequestration certificate
• Legal name change
• Any court-approved settlements or judgments

9. Moving abroad from SA: final tips for document safety

• Always make certified copies of your documents and keep digital backups
• Use secure cloud storage or an encrypted USB
• Translate your documents if they’re not in the official language of your destination country.

FinGlobal: cross-border financial specialists for expats

With a proven track record in helping South Africans around the world, FinGlobal makes complex processes like tax emigration, retirement annuity withdrawal, and cross-border money transfers simple and stress-free. Ready to move abroad from South Africa? Let our experts take care of the paperwork and compliance, so you don’t have to.

To start your financial journey abroad with FinGlobal by your side, simply leave your contact details below, and we’ll be in touch shortly.